Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool are on a nine-game unbeaten run, but Arsenal is the clear favorite to emerge victorious when the two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium this week
23:09, 05 Jan 2026
Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to Liverpool's game against Arsenal
Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to Liverpool's game against Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk said that he is looking forward to Liverpool's trip to Arsenal this week – and said that his teammates should feel the same way.
The Reds go to North London aiming to extend a nine-game unbeaten run, but the Gunners will provide a formidable test after moving 14 points clear of Arne Slot's men over the weekend.
Arsenal has been the most consistent team in the league this term, securing 48 points from 20 games, and a win over Liverpool on Thursday will move the leader a step closer to title glory in May. Despite Arsenal going into the game as the clear favorite to emerge victorious, Van Dijk is eagerly anticipating the clash.
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"First of all, we will recover from this," Van Dijk said after Liverpool was denied a win at Fulham on Sunday by a stunning late equalizer.
"But from Tuesday on, we will definitely look at the strength that they (Arsenal) have. They have a fantastic squad with players on the pitch and also coming from the bench.
"Listen, we all know at home they are unbeaten this season, I think, in all competitions. So it is a nice challenge and we should be ready for a big fight.
"I'm really looking forward to it and I think everyone should. That is the only way to try and get a result over there.
"There is no reason to not being looking forward to it, in my opinion. Another opportunity, but first recover and then we'll focus on that."
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal has been the best team in the Premier League so far this season
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal has been the best team in the Premier League so far this season(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool goes into the Arsenal game with an injury concern surrounding Hugo Ekitike.
He missed the trip to Fulham with a hamstring injury, which Liverpool head coach Arne Slot attributed to the Frenchman having played too much in recent weeks.
“Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now,” Slot said. “That has meant that Hugo had to play more minutes that he did throughout the whole season.
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“That has led to the fact that he he picked up a slight hamstring injury because he had to play more and more minutes.
"For a player that’s his age and is not used to the Premier League completely, that has been a bit too much.
“That’s why he will be out for today and hopefully be back for the Arsenal game. But that’s definitely not sure yet.”