Arsenal have reason for optimism as they try to end their long Anfield hoodoo
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Mikel Arteta was starting for the Gunners in midfield that day as they ran out 2-0 winners against Liverpool.
Since then, the red side of Merseyside has proved an unhappy hunting ground for Arsenal and they are winless in their last 12 visits.
Arteta is desperate for his side to end their Anfield hoodoo and lay down an early marker in this season’s title race.
And, here, Standard Sport looks at why this Sunday could be Arsenal’s moment…
Liverpool’s defence has looked shaky
Arne Slot’s side have won both of their opening two Premier League games this season, but they have required late heroics to do so.
On Monday, the Reds needed a 100th-minute winner from 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha to beat 10-man Newcastle 3-2 at St James’ Park.
For the second game in a row, Liverpool had almost blown a two-goal lead and their defence has looked uncharacteristically leaky.
Read More
Solanke and Richarlison plan clear as Tottenham eye Premier League summit
How to watch Chelsea vs Fulham: TV channel and live stream
Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal book Hincapie medical; Isak twist; Simons signs contract
Everything you need to know about England Rugby’s Red Roses squad
Liverpool have conceded four goals in two League games. Last season, they did not ship that many until after nine matches.
In their opening two League games, Liverpool have also given up an xG of 2.68 - with only eight sides having worse defensive data than that.
Defensive issues: Liverpool
It is a far cry from last season, when Liverpool statistically had the second best defence in the League, after Arsenal.
Part of it is undoubtedly down to new players settling in, including left-back Milos Kerkez - who has looked particularly shaky.
Indeed, this is the earliest the previous season’s top two sides are meeting in a Premier League campaign since 2017-18, and Arsenal could benefit from Liverpool’s teething issues.
Isak is not in the door
Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak has been one of the longest running transfer sagas of this summer.
The Reds have failed with a bid of around £110million and it remains to be seen if they return with a fresh offer.
Newcastle have been insistent that Isak is not for sale, but if they wrap up a deal for Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade and another forward, then that could change.
Thankfully for Arsenal, however, even if Liverpool are able to bring in Isak before Monday’s transfer deadline, it will not be in time for the Swede to play in Sunday’s game.
That is a huge boost for the the Gunners as a forward line of Mohamed Salah and Isak will be formidable.
Arsenal fans were rueing their tough start to the season when the fixtures were announced in June - but playing Liverpool early may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Arsenal’s set-pieces look like a real weapon
New season, same old Arsenal.
Only two games have been played in the current campaign and already the Gunners have reminded everyone of how dangerous they can be from set-pieces.
Arsenal have scored three goals from set-pieces and no one in the league can better that tally, with only Chelsea able to match it.
Arteta’s side have an xG of 2.16 from their set-pieces so far, which is by far the best in the top-flight. Chelsea are the next best on 1.55.
Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have benefitted from Declan Rice’s set-piece deliveries this season
Encouragingly for the Gunners, Liverpool have also looked vulnerable from set-pieces this season, too.
The Reds have conceded two goals from set-pieces, with West Ham the only side to have leaked more than that.
Arsenal relied upon set-pieces last season for big goals in big games - and they could prove a valuable weapon on Sunday.