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Arsenal hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League and will be determined to preserve – or even extend – it as they host last season’s champions, Liverpool, at the Emirates Stadium.
It looked for all the world that the Gunners’ advantage going into this midweek round would be just four points. That was until a managerless Chelsea snatched a last-gasp equaliser at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, holding Pep Guardiola’s side to a single point and ensuring the gap would stand at a whopping six as we enter 2026.
Arsenal, of course, had work to do themselves the day before – and they did just that, albeit not without a scare. Mikel Arteta’s side travelled south to take on Bournemouth, knowing victory would apply some early pressure on their title rivals.
A late Christmas gift from the so often reliable Gabriel Magalhaes allowed the out-of-form Cherries to take the lead, but the Brazilian centre-half made swift amends just minutes later, as he fired the title hopefuls level. A brace from the returning Declan Rice put Arsenal 3-1 ahead, before Eli Junior Kroupi pulled one back to set up a nervy finale.
The Gunners held firm to secure all three points – and, given events in the blue half of Manchester, the significance of that victory now looks all the greater.
Lacklustre Liverpool
By far the Premier League’s standout side last season, Arne Slot’s team duly powered their way to a historic twentieth league title. However, Liverpool have been feeling the blues this term, sitting a staggering 14 points adrift of their opponents – the side they beat to the title less than eight months ago. After winning their first five fixtures of the new campaign – including a 1-0 home victory over Arsenal – they lost six of their next seven matches, leaving them languishing in the table and searching for answers following a record-breaking summer transfer window.
The Reds are now eight games unbeaten in the league and have climbed back up to fourth, but question marks remain over both performances and the manager who guided them to just a second Premier League title in his debut season.
Their last two outings have ended in draws, including at Fulham last time out, where Cody Gakpo’s 94th-minute goal appeared to have secured all three points, only for Harrison Reed’s rocket with the final kick of the game to deny them victory and further fuel unrest on Merseyside.
They are however, chasing their eighth league double over Arsenal – and their first since the 2021-22 season.
Stats and Facts
Arsenal have lost 26 Premier League matches against Liverpool – more than against any other opponent.
The Gunners have conceded in each of their last 20 Premier League games against Liverpool since a 0-0 draw in August 2015. Only against Man Utd (30 between 1953 and 1968) and Tottenham (24 between 1955 and 1967) have they had a longer run without a clean sheet in their league history.
Arsenal have won their last seven home Premier League matches – only
once under Mikel Arteta have they had a longer home league winning run, winning 10 consecutively between April and December 2022.
Mikel Arteta’s side have won their last two home Premier League matches against the reigning champions, beating Man City in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. They last did so in three consecutive league seasons between 1961-62 and 1963-64, when they beat Spurs, Ipswich and Everton.