Arsenal were knocked off top spot by Manchester City yesterday and only a victory over Jurgen Klopp’s temperamental Liverpool side today will take the Gunners back to the Premier League’s summit. The Reds have yet to win in the road this season and they have been priced as underdogs for their trip to the Emirates Stadium. Can Klopp’s charges upset the odds in London?
Below, we’ve pieced together a stats pack for today’s heavyweight contest which is packed with key info cards, corners, xG, fouls, assists, shots and more from the teams’ Premier League campaigns to date. Hopefully, you’ll find our stats useful when creating your bet builders for today’s game. If you want to get the most out of this stats pack, then make sure to check out my Stats Pack Guide to learn how to best use it.
Predicted Lineups
Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe are both out injured for Arsenal, though neither player would have expected to start today even if they were fit.
The Gunners’ side picks itself in most positions with Gabriel Jesus spearheading a four-man attack and Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey anchoring midfield ahead of a flat back four.
Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur are in the treatment room for Liverpool while full-back Andrew Robertson is rated as doubtful.
Jurgen Klopp switched to a 4-4-2 formation against Rangers in midweek, so it will be interesting to see how the German sets his team up this afternoon.
Team Stats
Arsenal have won seven of their first eight league games this term and the Gunners have been performing brilliantly across a number of metrics in the campaign’s early exchanges.
Their 2.50 goals, 2.19 xG, 17.37 shots and 5.88 corners for figures per 90 minutes highlight the team’s potency in attack. Only Man City have notched more often than the Gunners so far.
Liverpool’s underlying stats for the campaign make for healthy reading even if their early results don’t. The Reds are hitting 19.00 shots per 90 minutes, while their 6.57 shots on target p/90 figure eclipses Arsenal’s.
However, Liverpool haven’t been passing the eye test this season and many of their performances have lacked intensity.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Arsenal’s front four have been in red-hot form this term and Gabriel Jesus (3.66), Gabriel Martinelli (3.13), Martin Odegaard (2.51) and Bukayo Saka (2.55) have all been racking up excellent numbers in the shots per 90 stakes. That quartet has an average age of just 22.5.
Granit Xhaka (1.38) has shown a more attacking side to his character this season, while defender Gabriel (1.13) has been a consistent threat from set piece deliveries.
Roberto Firmino (3.88 shots p/90) has been outperforming his teammates in attack this season, with Mohamed Salah in particular (1.00 SOT p/90) far less threatening than he’s been in recent years.
Darwin Nunez’s figures jump off the page, though he has played just 177 minutes of Premier League action this term and his numbers are slightly skewed as a result. Luis Diaz (2.67 shots p/90) is generally a consistent performer in the shots market and the Colombian winger is worth considering again today.
Player Goals and Assists
Gabriel Jesus has already scored five times in the Premier League for Arsenal and he is well on his way to topping his eight-goal haul from last season. The Brazilian, who has also claimed three assists, was among the goalscorers against Spurs last weekend.
Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Buyako Saka have combined to notch 12 goal contributions, while Granit Xhaka (two goals, three assists) has been unusually productive from midfield.
With eight goal contributions in six appearances, Roberto Firmino has been Liverpool’s main man in attack, though he did collect two goals and three assists in one game against Bournemouth in August.
Luis Diaz hasn’t scored since that record-equalling 9-0 win over the Cherries, while Mohamed Salah hasn’t found the net in the league since his consolation effort against Man Utd in August.
Arsenal Cards
Gabriel Jesus has been a tenacious presence for Arsenal in attack in more ways than one and the fiery Brazilian has been booked four times in eight league appearances this term.
William Saliba has been carded three times, though the fullback to his right, Ben White (2 cards) could be the busier of the two today when he marks livewire winger Luis Diaz.
Granit Xhaka (2 bookings) is still fond of a nibble in midfield and he should have more defensive duties than usually against tough opponents today.
Luis Diaz (3.59 dribbles per 90) loves to take his man on and his direct style of play has been drawing 3.28 fouls per 90 minutes this season. The Colombian should provide a tricky test or two for Ben White today.
Reds’ playmaker Thiago is often marked out for special treatment in midfield and Gunners’ pair Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will have their eyes on the Spaniard if he starts.
Likewise, Fabinho is regularly earmarked as a key contributor to Liverpool’s build-up play, so watch out for his compatriot Gabriel Jesus when he drops in to make life awkward for the Reds midfielder.
Match-Ups to watch
Ben White vs Luis Diaz
Granit Xhaka vs Thiago
Gabriel Jesus vs Fabinho
Liverpool Cards
Much has been made of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weaknesses this season and the Liverpool right-back has picked up more cards (2) than any of his teammates so far. Alexander-Arnold faces a test of his mettle today, as does stand-in left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas (1.43 fouls p/90) on the opposite side.
While he doesn’t quite squeeze onto our list, Virgil van Dijk could also be worth keeping an eye on today. The Dutch centre-half has looked shakier than usual this term and he has already been booked four times for club and country since the summer.
Gabriel Jesus has been right in the thick of things this season and the Brazilian has been drawing a notable 3.38 fouls per 90 for Arsenal since his switch from Man City. Jesus’ buzzing runs should ensure that van Dijk has a heavy workload today.
On the left flank, Gabriel Martinelli (fouled 2.34 times p/90) will relish putting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive skillset to the test, while Bukayo Saka (fouled 1.92 times p/90) has the pace and close control to have Tsimikas on toast in one-on-one situations. That duel has serious card potential today.
Match-Ups to watch
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Gabriel Martinelli
Virgil van Dijk vs Gabriel Jesus
Konstantinos Tsimikas vs Bukayo Saka
_____
This should be an absolutely cracking game for the neutral. It should be an end to end affair and I’m expecting plenty of action in all areas. It’s a huge game for both teams and should be great for bet builders, so hopefully this stats pack has provided you with what you need to land a winner today.
Best of luck if you’re having a bet, but please remember to keep the stakes low and to stay in control.
