BBC pundit Chris Sutton is expecting Arsenal to secure a “pretty comfortable” win against a “bang-average” Liverpool side on Thursday night.
With Mikel Arteta’s men having a six-point advantage at the top of the table, Sutton says there should be no fear when they face the Reds:
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“The Gunners should go for it, because they are on a different level to Liverpool, and they may as well be in a different league.”
“No one thinks Slot’s side are going to win the Premier League anymore, even though they are fourth, and they don’t look capable of flexing their muscles and going on a long winning run, either.”
“That is not going to happen. This is a bang-average Liverpool team this season, and Arsenal should be able to exploit all of their weaknesses. It should be pretty comfortable for the league leaders too.”
What score has Sutton predicted for Arsenal vs Liverpool?
The former Blackburn and Chelsea forward has gone with a 2-0 victory to the Gunners, which is a scoreline that fans would take now.
Liverpool may be on an unbeaten run, but Arne Slot’s side have key absentees, and their defensive record is pretty poor. They are there for the taking.
Arsenal vs Liverpool team news
Arteta has three players ruled out. Riccardo Calafiori (muscular), Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman (both ankle) are not expected to feature on Thursday.
Liverpool are without Mo Salah (who is at the African Cup of Nations with Egypt), Alexander Isak (fractured leg), Wataru Endo (ankle) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL).
Arne Slot is also sweating over the fitness of Hugo Ekitike. The striker was forced to sit out the 2-2 draw against Fulham at the weekend with a minor hamstring injury, but there is optimism that he could be available for the trip to the Emirates.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here