Arsenal face Liverpool in a crunch game at the Emirates Stadium tonight as both sides look to spend Christmas in the top four with a win.
Liverpool are in red-hot form after not tasting defeat since the loss at Wembley in October to Tottenham Hotspur. They have since embarked on a run of 12 matches unbeaten in all competitions and come into the game as firm favourites to claim the victory.
As for Arsenal, they have been more inconsistent of late winning just one of their last five league matches which came in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United last weekend.
The Gunners have been exceptional at home winning all but one game on their home turf while they have claimed just nine points from nine matches on the road which has ultimately been their downfall.
Arsenal come into the game in fifth place in the table just a point behind their opponents following from a narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United last time out and will be looking to regain their place in the top four with a victory.
As for the away side, they come into the game on the back of a brilliant 4-0 victory at Bournemouth last weekend as they played with great attacking flair to cement their place inside the top four.
With both sides boasting a host of attacking talents it’s sure to be a brilliant game under the lights in North London as this brilliant contest kick starts the festive period,
Arsenal have been very inconsistent so far this season and will really need to be at their best if they are to come away with anything from this one against a top quality Liverpool side.
The host’s defence, in particular, will need to be right at it for the whole game with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Phillipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino all enjoying great runs of form of late.
Sadio Mane was rested for the trip to Bournemouth last weekend so he will be ready to go and be fresh to face a Gunners side who have lacked consistency in their team selection of late and could cause them a whole host of problems come Friday night.
In terms of team news, Arsenal are set to welcome German defender Shkodran Mustafi back into the line-up following a three-week spell on the treatment table after picking up a thigh injury earlier in the month.
The Gunners will also be without Frenchman, Olivier Giroud and Welshman Aaron Ramsey after they have both also picked up thigh injuries in recent weeks and will spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The hosts will also remain without long-term absentee Santi Cazorla who has been out for over a year as he tries to recover from his foot problems.
As for the visitors, they have a lengthy injury list of their own with no less than six stars ruled out. England internationals, Daniel Sturridge and Nathaniel Clyne are both ruled out of the game with Sturridge ruled out with illness while the defender tries to overcome a lower back injury.
Joel Matip is back training but will not make the Arsenal game after recovering from a thigh injury of his own. Adam Bogdan and Marko Grujic are both long-term absentees with respective ACL injuries and broken fingers.
Alberto Moreno is still some way from returning as he tries to recover from his ankle injury which has kept him out of the past three weeks.
This is going to be a thrilling contest between two great sides in an attacking sense and you can certainly expect goals in this fixture. Both sides have also looked culpable in defensive areas of late and home advantage could prove crucial for the Gunners in this one.
I think that Arsenal will just edge this one 3-2 in front of their supporters.
