Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates tonight with the chance to move eight points clear at the summit of the Premier League.
The Gunners were relentless over the festive period, maintaining their lead at the top while those around them lost pace.
Manchester City were the ones expected to put the pressure on but it is Pep Guardiola’s side who have lost their nerve in recent weeks with three draws on the bounce derailing their title bid.
It’s Arsenal’s to lose – but for now, Liverpool are still the champions of England.
Fourteen points off the Gunners, another title charge on Merseyside is surely out of the question but Arne Slot’s side can at the very least keep things interesting with a win in north London tonight.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
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January 8, 2026 6:48 pm
Arsenal team news
Arsenal Training Session
Saka and Trossard are back for the Gunners (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have made two changes from the team that won away to Bournemouth last time out, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard back in the starting XI.
Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke drop out for the league leaders.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Lewis-Skelly, White, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus.
January 8, 2026 6:47 pm
Liverpool team news
Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Frimpong starts for the visitors (Picture: Getty)
Arne Slot has mad one change to his team that drew at Fulham previously, with Jeremie Frimpong starting in place of Curtis Jones.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Bradley, Gakpo, Frimpong, Gravenberch.
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha.
January 8, 2026 6:45 pm
‘Massive opportunity’ for Arsenal, says Gary Neville
Burnley v Manchester United - Premier League
Arsenal have a ‘massive opportunity’, says Gary Neville (Picture: Getty)
‘Everything is falling into the lap’ of Arsenal and the Gunners have a ‘massive opportunity’ to make a statement against Liverpool in front of their home crowd this evening.
That’s according to Gary Neville, who, for a third year in succession, has backed the north Londoners to finally end their long wait for the Premier League title.
‘It’s huge,’ the ex-England right-back – who won eight league titles with Manchester United – told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off.
‘Players, fans, owners tonight, I’m not going to say that it’s on a plate for them but it’s a massive opportunity for them.
‘There’s a long way to go, Manchester City are obviously still a dangerous opponent.
‘But if you’ve been an Arsenal fan for a long, long time and you’ve been suffering for a long, long time, you’ve not won a Premier League for so many years, what a chance this is. Everything’s falling into their lap.’
January 8, 2026 6:37 pm
A very warm welcome!
Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
The Emirates plays host to what promises to be a thriller this evening (Picture: Getty)
Here we go then… the stage is set.
First things first, good evening and welcome to Metro’s LIVE coverage of tonight’s heavyweight Premier League contest between top-of-the-table Arsenal and fourth-placed Liverpool.
Hosts Arsenal sit five points clear at the top with a game in hand over second-placed Manchester City entering the clash.
Mikel Arteta’s men will be doing everything in their power to widen that gap to eight points with victory over the reigning champions, who have drawn their last two encounters.
The all-important team news is on the way…
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