| Arsenal vs Liverpool | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Arsenal vs Liverpool
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COMPETITION :
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Premier League
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| DATE: |
09-01-2026
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TIME:
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01.30 AM IST
12.00 AM UAE
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STADIUM
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Emirates Stadium
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Arsenal vs Liverpool: Team News and Selection Update
Mikel Arteta once again finds himself in the enviable position of having depth across his squad as Arsenal prepare to host Liverpool, with only a handful of absentees to manage. The Gunners are set to be without just three players, as Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera remain sidelined with ankle injuries, while Riccardo Calafiori is also unavailable due to what Arteta has described as a “very awkward” but unspecified issue.
Kai Havertz was left out of the squad for the win over Bournemouth as part of a load-management plan, and with Arsenal well stocked in attacking areas, the German forward could be rested again. Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke were trusted out wide at the Vitality Stadium, but Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka are both expected to return to the starting lineup for this marquee clash.
Saka, in particular, will be chasing history. The England international is aiming to become the first Arsenal player ever to score in four consecutive Premier League home matches against Liverpool, adding further intrigue to an already high-profile encounter.
Liverpool, meanwhile, travel to north London with far greater concerns in attack. Mohamed Salah is away on international duty at AFCON, while Alexander Isak is ruled out with a leg injury. Head coach Arne Slot also confirmed that Hugo Ekitike had yet to return to team training after missing the draw with Fulham due to a muscular problem.
Florian Wirtz, who opened the scoring against Fulham, is managing a hamstring issue and is not fully fit, but there is no indication that the £116 million signing will miss the showdown with the league leaders. However, Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and Wataru Endo (ankle) remain unavailable, limiting Slot’s options.
Slot may opt to retain the same starting XI from Craven Cottage, though Jeremie Frimpong offers a versatile alternative and could feature either at right-back or higher up the right flank if changes are made.
With Arsenal buoyed by squad depth and Liverpool battling fitness concerns, Thursday’s clash promises tactical intrigue and significant implications at the top of the Premier League table.