Arsenal will face an early test of their Premier League title credentials when the side travel to face Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta enjoyed a comprehensive 6-0 win over Leeds United last time out, with Jurrien Timber dazzling at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyokeres opened his Gunners account with a brace, and 15-year-old Max Dowman emerged off the bench for his competitive senior debut on Saturday.
Although the occasion was dampened by Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard sustaining injuries, the pair are confirmed absentees for the trip to Anfield.
Bukayo Saka down injured during a Premier League clash between Arsenal and Leeds
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
The Premier League have confirmed the match officials for the clash against Liverpool, the referee has a history of contentious decisions involving Arteta.
Chris Kavanagh will referee Liverpool vs Arsenal
The Premier League confirmed on their official website that Chris Kavanagh has been appointed as the referee for the match between Liverpool and Arsenal.
Kavanagh officiated the Gunners’ trip to Anfield in 2023, where he opted against awarding a penalty to Liverpool for an Odegaard handball. Although the decision worked in Arsenal’s favour, Dermot Gallagher claimed it was a penalty.
In another incident, Kavanagh committed a serious error when he decided against issuing a second yellow card to Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara for kicking the ball away during the 2-2 against the Gunners last season.
Meanwhile, Kavanagh infamously showed Declan Rice a second yellow card for the same offence earlier that season in a match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Arsenal FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Premier League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arteta held nothing back when discussing the incident with BBC Sport, and berated Kavanagh for making such a mistake at the top-flight level.
“I was amazed,” Arteta said. “Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half, there are two incidents, and nothing happens.
“Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan [on the back of his leg], he turns around, he doesn’t see the player coming, and he touches the ball.
“By law, he can make that call, but then by law he needs to make the next call, which is a red card, so we play 10vs10. This is what amazed me. At this level, it’s amazing.”
Arsenal must end their poor record at Anfield
Indeed, Arsenal have not left Anfield with three points secured in the league since 2012. On that day, Lukas Podolski and Santi Carzola scored their first goals for the club, and Arteta was also on the pitch.
Losing Saka and Odegaard is a blow heading into the clash, but Arsenal have spent approximately £250 million this summer, and the squad is more than ready to deal with the absentees.
Arteta has left with a point on his last three visits to Merseyside, and with the clubs expected to be the main competitors in the Premier League title race this season, the clash will have significant implications even at this early stage.
Therefore, the Spaniard must find a way to end his barren streak at Anfield and continue his impressive start this season by laying down a marker to his title rivals.