**By Danong**
**Arsenal, buoyed by five wins on the bounce, will be eager to extend their sparkling festive run in the Premier League when they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates on Thursday night.**
**Beyond the sheer desire to sustain their momentum, the Gunners carry an added incentive into this clash.**
**It was Liverpool who first punctured Arsenal’s earlier in the season, one of only two sides to do so, the other being Aston Villa.**
**That memory alone ensures Arsenal approach this fixture with fire in their veins.**
**Gabriel Magalhaes’ return has proved a timely boost, not only reinforcing the defence but also rekindling his instinct for decisive goals.**
**Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has seized his opportunities with flashes of brilliance that underline his attacking threat.**
**As for Kai Havertz, he could well come into contention against Liverpool, thereby injecting yet another dimension into Arteta’s tactical options.**
**With that said, here is how Mikel Arteta might line up to outmanoeuvre Arne Slot’s Liverpool (who are unbeaten in seven):**
**Predicted XI**
**Raya**
**Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié**
**Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard**
**Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard**
**From the bench, Arteta could introduce Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, and perhaps Jesus, arguably the strongest "finishers" Arsenal can summon on the night.**
**In a boost to Arsenal, Liverpool’s striking options, however, appear far less certain. Hugo Ekitike remains a doubt, while Alexander Isak is already sidelined.**
**Arsenal’s form, their desire for vengeance, and Liverpool’s attacking absences, with Salah also unavailable, may well tilt the balance in the Gunners’ favour, leaving them well poised to seize a statement victory over the reigning champions.**