This finally feels like Arsenal‘s season to end their Premier League title drought, but can Liverpool put a dent in their hopes?
Arne Slot‘s side head to the Emirates on Thursday evening, taking on the league leaders and red-hot title favourites.
Here, This Is Anfield ‘s Henry Jackson spoke with award-winning illustrator and Arsenal fan Matty Long (@Matty_Long) to preview a huge game for both sides.
You must be delighted with how Arsenal’s season is going?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot and Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta shaking hands before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
So far, so good. We’re top of the Premier League and Champions League with a Carabao Cup semi-final vs. Chelsea on the horizon.
It hasn’t always been enjoyable, though.
I think there’s a lot of anxiety in the fanbase stemming from the desperation to finally win the big prizes and the prospect of being second-best again.
But we are where we are, and it’s hard not to be hopeful about how it might end.
What, if anything, has changed to see you go up a level?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 9, 2025: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
We’ve kept the spine of the team together and augmented it with real quality.
Our squad depth has so far allowed us to weather the ongoing injury problems, too.
Instead of bringing on Raheem Sterling, we’re turning to players like Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, or even Bukayo Saka because we’re able to rotate more.
Which three players have shone most for Arsenal and has anyone struggled?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté (L) and Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I’d say our best players this season have been Declan Rice, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, but Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Saka deserve a shout, too.
Zubimendi, in particular, has allowed Rice a bit more freedom to get forward and he is starting to add more goals to his game.
We really missed Gabriel at both ends of the pitch when he was injured, and Timber impresses me more with every passing week – he’s so reliable.
As for strugglers, it’s hard not to look at Viktor Gyokeres. You can’t fault his effort, but so far, the Premier League looks a bit too fast and physical for him.
Hopefully, he and those around him are just taking a bit of time to adapt.
Do you think you’ll win one of the big trophies this season, if not both?
I doubt we’d go from winning nothing to suddenly winning the two biggest prizes in club football.
But that will be the aim, and if we can keep going as we are, and perhaps even find another level, then who knows?
I’m still backing us to win the Premier League.
How do you assess Liverpool’s season and Slot’s future?
It has been nice not having to care about their results, they’ve been poor. The aura is gone and teams fancy themselves against them, whether they’re home or away.
I can’t see that lasting forever, though.
Liverpool had off-seasons even under Jurgen Klopp, and they’ve got some amazing players who just aren’t on it right now.
I’d stick with Arne Slot, especially with other teams around them changing managers. That bit of stability might count for something at the end of the season.
If you could only have one Liverpool player at Arsenal, who would it be?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai shoots to score the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I’d probably go for Dominik Szoboszlai and I reckon Mikel Arteta would as well.
He just has so much to offer all over the pitch, in different positions. He can take a free kick, too.
Where will the key battles take place on Thursday?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I’m hoping Saka will get another go at Milos Kerkez, who still looks a bit undercooked playing left-back for Liverpool.
Rice and Martin Odegaard are improving with every game, so it will be interesting to see how Mac Allister can deal with them in midfield.
What’s your prediction?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Nick Potts/PA)
The Arsenal form book right now is to win by a tight margin.
If we do win, us fans will have to suffer for it. Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool.