Preview: Liverpool vs Arsenal - Premier League 08.02.14

Arsenal go into this game on top of the table and could go five points clear of Manchester City, who play at 3pm, with a win. It's a fantastic opportunity to put pressure on the teams behind us especially considering City don't have a "hard" game in the league until the end of March by which time Arsenal will have play through two months of fire.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed in the central midfield role, scoring twice, and with Aaron Ramsey injured and Jack Wilshere a slight doubt to be fit to start on Saturday, he could start in the middle again. Arsenal has really missed the driving force from deeper in midfield since Ramsey has been injured but with Jack coming back to fitness, Rosicky coming back from a broken nose and Ox showing he can take up that role between the DM and Özil and balance attack with defensive responsibilities in the "double-pivot".

When the two sides met in the Emirates it was a battle of the top two which Arsenal won 2-0 win, with Ramsey’s wonderful strike securing the three points and Arsenal have been an almost ever present at the top since.

Last 3 Meetings

• Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool (2.11.2013)
• Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool (30.1.2013)
• Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal (2.9.2012)

Factfile

• Arsenal are the only side to thwart Liverpool’s SAS striking partnership in the Premier League this season
• The last time Liverpool beat Arsenal at Anfield was in 2007
• Arsenal's midfielders have scored 32 goals this season
• Arsenal have a good record against Liverpool, generally winning or drawing, with only 3 Premier League losses against them in 8 years
• Arsenal have the joint best away record in the Premier League this season

Injuries

We'll go in without Walcott (knee) and Diaby (knee), of course, but will also be without Flamini (suspension).

Possible Starting XI

Szczesny; Monreal, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna; Arteta, Chamberlain; Podolski, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud.

Expect a tight affair with chances few and far between, but a stricken Liverpool defence with no Lucas to protect them may not be able to hold off an Arsenal side that has scored twelve goals in its last five matches and only conceded three.

Goonersphere's Prediction

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal

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