Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Arsenal will be looking for revenge, as well as a psychological advantage in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League, when they host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Friday.
The Gunners trail the fourth-placed Reds by just a point but are likely still smarting from the 4-0 drubbing they received at Anfield in August. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left Arsenal for Liverpool soon after and may have a point to prove to his old club.
Liverpool have been scoring goals for fun lately, while the Gunners have struggled to find the net, scoring just three times in their last four league matches.
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The priority for Arsenal will be trying to contain Liverpool's awesome attacking quartet of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho.
Here are the schedule and viewing details:
Date: Friday, December 22
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT, 2:45 p.m. ET.
TV Info: Sky Sports PL, NBCSN.
Live Stream: Sky Go, fubo Premier.
Pace and ingenuity in attacking areas destroyed Arsenal the last time these two teams met. However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may be more reliant on power and energy in the engine room of midfield for the away fixture.
Fortunately for Klopp, Emre Can is back from suspension, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo. The Germany international's contract is up next summer, but the report noted how "Klopp has vowed to keep picking" the player.
Can can be a key figure thanks to his brawn, energy and talent for pressing. If Liverpool can pinch the ball high enough, they will catch an Arsenal team vulnerable to the counter-attack cold.
The Reds' defence could receive a boost after Klopp confirmed centre-back Joel Matip is training again, per Andy Kelly of the Liverpool Echo. The Anfield boss also provided updates on three other first-teamers, including playmaker Adam Lallana, per injury data analyst Ben Dinnery:
Liverpool's midfield must subdue Gunners playmaker Mesut Ozil. Can's compatriot has been exceptional lately, scoring a wonder goal to beat Newcastle United last time out.
Like Can, Ozil's contract is also up next summer, yet manager Arsene Wenger has talked up his current form as his best in an Arsenal shirt, per James Benge of the London Evening Standard.
Ozil has been playing deeper recently and his ability to keep the ball away from Liverpool will be vital. It will also be important for Wenger to partner the former Real Madrid man with the right players in the middle.
The task has been made harder since the manager confirmed Aaron Ramsey is out until January with a hamstring injury. His absence means Wenger may again have to rely on Jack Wilshere and Alex Iwobi to support Ozil.
John Cross of the Daily Mirror also quoted Wenger revealing striker Olivier Giroud will miss time with a hamstring injury picked up during Tuesday's 1-0 win over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup.
Yet the manager's bigger concern will be in defence. Centre-back Shkodran Mustafi has been injured, but Wenger recently noted the former Valencia man has returned to training.
Left-back Nacho Monreal has been filling in for Mustafi, and Wenger could keep the Spaniard in the middle to try to cope with Liverpool's pace from central areas.
Similarly, academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles has performed admirably at full-back, and his athleticism could be key in keeping Salah, the league's top scorer, quiet.
Arsenal were overrun the last time they tried to repel Liverpool's swift and free-flowing forward line. Wenger has switched from three at the back to a four-man defence since, but his team must be more efficient in front of goal to avoid another hammering from the Reds.
