[Evan Lloyd
Evan Lloyd](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/evan-lloyd)
Correspondent AUTHORITY NCTJ-qualified football journalist with experience at VAVEL, Hayters TV, SPORTbible, and Centredevils. FOCUS Premier League analysis, tactical deep-dives, and original opinion content across Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Celtic. THE INSIGHT Evan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides specialist tactical and analytical content to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and understand the full picture.
The Gunners have had a torrid run of results at the iconic stadium, with their last visit, in August 2025, being decided by Dominik Szoboszlai's late free-kick.
But this season will mark the first time since 2004 that the side from North London will walk out as the defending Premier League champions, with the Reds hoping to take their crown back.
The clash will also mark the first time since 2017 that Mohamed Salah will not start for Liverpool in the fixture, with the winger holding such a good record against Arsenal.
Andoni Iraola's team started the season slowly but have hit strong form of late, winning four of their last five games in normal time.
Arsene Wenger's side were on a strong run of trips to Anfield, having won two of their previous three matches on the red side of Merseyside.
In midfield for Arsenal alongside Abou Diaby was none other than Arteta, who had arrived at the club from Everton in summer of 2011.
The match would end 2-0 to the visitors, with summer arrivals Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla both finding the net and assisting each other.
Up front was another summer signing - Olivier Giroud - with the likes of Per Mertesacker, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson also starting.
Where are they now?
Both goal-scorers called time on their playing days this summer, with both now at the age of 41.
Cazorla's career was heavily threatened by injuries while he was at Arsenal, but he continued to perform for Real Oviedo in his final seasons.
He has been tipped to go into coaching before, even potentially to join Arteta's staff, but he is yet to make any decision.
Giroud is the only player who started on the day to still be playing in a top five European league today - he joined Lille in the summer of 2025.
Mertesacker left Arsenal for a second time this summer to join the German FA, while Gibbs is Inter Miami's head of media after spending his final playing days there.
Ramsey entered management this summer and is currently enjoying a promising first stint as Oxford United boss.
While Martinez sat on the bench in 2012, Vito Mannone started in goal and kept a clean sheet. The Italian now plays for Crawley Town in League Two.