Arsenal host Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening as the Gunners look to extend their winning run and strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table
Tom James Phillips
14:31, 08 Jan 2026
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Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta before Arsenal vs Liverpool in the Premier League.
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Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta before Arsenal vs Liverpool in the Premier League.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The under-pressure reigning champions are set to clash with the high-flying challengers on Thursday evening, as Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium in a much-anticipated Premier League face-off. The Reds come into the match with a longer unbeaten run than the Gunners, but a victory for Mikel Arteta's men would propel them 17 points ahead of the title holders with just 17 matches remaining.
Arsenal kicked off the New Year in style, capitalising on their rivals' missteps last weekend. Despite a disastrous start against Bournemouth - where Gabriel Magalhaes's blunder handed Evanilson an early goal - the Gunners bounced back.
Gabriel made amends with a goal, and Declan Rice scored his first-ever Premier League double after 296 appearances, securing a crucial 3-2 comeback win. Their triumph was made even sweeter as both Arsenal and Chelsea supporters celebrated Enzo Fernandez's late equaliser against Manchester City.
Back-to-back draws for City have left them and Aston Villa trailing Arsenal by six points, although that gap could be reduced to three depending on Wednesday's outcomes, with City up against Brighton and Villa facing Crystal Palace.
Despite the pressure, Arsenal have kept their focus on their own performances throughout the campaign, stringing together an impressive seven consecutive wins in all competitions, including five back-to-back Premier League victories. Although only two of these wins have been by more than a single goal, the ability to secure results even when not at their peak is often a characteristic of champions.
However, it might be too early to claim that the title is Arsenal's to lose.
Nonetheless, Arteta's squad are the clear favourites against Liverpool, particularly at the Emirates, where they've triumphed in 14 out of their 15 home matches this season, including the last 12 consecutively. Another win could see Arsenal make history as they aim to defeat the reigning champions in three successive home league games for the first time since the early 1960s.
Liverpool supporters may be preparing for a similar outcome to Manchester City's recent visit, as the optimism from a four-match winning streak has dimmed following consecutive draws with Leeds United and Fulham. The thrilling match with Fulham saw Harrison Reed grab a late equaliser, just moments after Cody Gakpo appeared to have secured all three points for a Liverpool side that has struggled for consistency but remains fourth in the table.
Arne Slot's side are on the brink of a 10-match unbeaten streak, but recent draws have left fans feeling discontented, suggesting that the previous run merely concealed deeper problems. Liverpool did manage to edge past Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield in August courtesy of a spectacular Dominik Szoboszlai free kick, but they've been unsuccessful in their last three trips to the Emirates.
Their already faint title aspirations could be completely dashed come Thursday—if they haven't been already.
Arsenal vs Liverpool Prediction
Arsenal to win and both teams to score - 11/5 (Betfred)
Declan Rice to score anytime - 18/5 (Betfred)
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