This Sunday, Anfield will be the stage for a highly anticipated Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Arsenal. These two clubs, who finished as the top contenders last season and are widely expected to compete for the title again, are set to deliver the first major spectacle of the new campaign. While a single match won`t dictate the entire title race, its outcome could significantly influence the momentum and confidence both teams carry into the months ahead.
Mikel Arteta enters this fixture with a commendable record against Liverpool in recent Premier League outings, having not suffered a defeat since March 2022. However, securing a top-flight victory at Anfield has eluded the Spanish manager for a considerable period, dating back to September 2012, when he was a player in Arsene Wenger`s Arsenal team that triumphed 2-0.
Both clubs are aiming for a perfect start with a third consecutive victory. Arne Slot`s Liverpool faces defensive scrutiny, having already conceded six goals in their league and Community Shield matches. Conversely, Liverpool`s attack appears formidable and is expected to severely test Arsenal`s backline. Below are some critical tactical dilemmas confronting both managers ahead of kick-off:
1. Containing Mohamed Salah
While truly stopping Mohamed Salah when he`s in full flow seems an insurmountable task, Arsenal has consistently managed to limit his influence more effectively than most teams in recent years. Despite the Egyptian still producing flashes of brilliance against his title rivals, a well-organized Mikel Arteta defense has often succeeded in restricting him to fewer significant contributions.
Arsenal`s strategy for Salah is relatively clear: he typically cuts inside from the right wing onto his dominant right foot. Their counter-tactic, whenever feasible, involves deploying a left-back who is comfortable defending with their right foot. The ideal candidate would also possess the versatility to manage overlapping runs or Salah`s charges down the byline – essentially, a genuinely two-footed defender. Takehiro Tomiyasu originally defined this role; had his fitness been dependable, he would likely remain a key part of Arsenal`s plans for such fixtures. Last season at the Emirates, Jurrien Timber, arguably Arsenal`s most proficient defensive full-back, excelled in this role for 76 minutes. However, just five minutes later, Salah scored a crucial equalizer, a moment that, in hindsight, may have derailed Arsenal`s title aspirations.
If Mikel Arteta had a full squad at his disposal, he might have been inclined to reposition Jurrien Timber at left-back once more. Yet, Arsenal`s long-standing injury woes mean a complete roster remains a distant dream. With Ben White, a consistently robust presence, unavailable, options at right-back are limited. Consequently, either Riccardo Calafiori or Myles Lewis-Skelly will likely be assigned the challenging responsibility of marking Salah.
Lewis-Skelly demonstrated reasonable effectiveness against Salah towards the end of last season, though it`s noted he faced a “satiated” Salah, one who had arguably achieved his primary objectives for the 2024-25 season. Nevertheless, Lewis-Skelly`s defensive prowess at just 18 years old is truly impressive. Entrusting a teenager with the monumental task of neutralizing England`s top attacker could surprisingly be Arteta`s most prudent tactical decision.
It`s not that Calafiori lacks defensive reliability; rather, in an Arsenal shirt, he often operates with significant attacking freedom, creating such unpredictable moments that his long-range strike into the Etihad net seemed entirely within character. The question remains: can he temper his natural inclination to surge forward, and more importantly, should he be asked to?
Match Details and Betting Odds
- Date: Sunday, August 31 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Television: NBC
- Betting Odds: Liverpool to Win: +125; Draw: +240; Arsenal to Win: +210
2. Wirtz`s Role Against Zubimendi
It`s uncommon for managers to publicly discuss how they envisioned an opposing player fitting into their squad, especially when that player had previously rejected them in a high-profile manner just over a year prior. However, Arne Slot made no secret of his initial plans for Martin Zubimendi. It was widely known that Liverpool sought to make Zubimendi the cornerstone of their new manager`s inaugural season, only for the player to hesitate when Arsenal expressed interest twelve months later.
Slot elaborated on his admiration for Zubimendi, stating, “What attracted us to him was his exceptional comfort on the ball and his profound understanding of the game. We believed, and it proved accurate, that we would dominate possession in most matches. Therefore, having a player positioned just ahead of the defense who is adept with the ball would have been an excellent fit for our system, particularly if he also possessed the necessary defensive strength for the league, which he is now demonstrating, as we anticipated.”
As Slot observed, Liverpool largely addressed their midfield requirements with Ryan Gravenberch. However, he will confront a formidable talent in Zubimendi, a commanding midfielder capable of dictating the pace and control of the game. If Arsenal deploys him alongside Declan Rice in a genuine double pivot, a formation Arteta has explored this season, they could potentially dominate the midfield against Liverpool`s Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, who is still regaining full match fitness.
Liverpool`s deeper midfield players will likely require support, and Florian Wirtz could be crucial in providing it. While the former Bayer Leverkusen star has yet to command possession in a Premier League fixture, he appears to have quickly embraced Slot`s off-the-ball demands. A diligent presser, Wirtz is currently recovering the ball in the attacking third approximately every 50 minutes (though this is based on a limited sample size). He will need to intensify this defensive contribution. Arsenal will undoubtedly aim to stifle the atmosphere at Anfield, which is bound to be fervent. Sustained periods of controlled possession would achieve this, but one or two timely ball recoveries in dangerous areas by Wirtz could electrify the Kop.
3. The Opportunity for Noni Madueke
The £50 million signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea this summer was met with an unusually high level of frustration from Arsenal fans. Thousands signed online petitions, and graffiti demanding Arteta`s dismissal appeared outside the Emirates. This extreme reaction highlights how modern transfer culture can sometimes distort fan perception, especially given that Arsenal had acquired a player capable of addressing various squad needs. Madueke has already demonstrated his ability to bolster the left-wing options, offering a left-footed, cross-focused alternative to Gabriel Martinelli. Now, he might get the chance to feature on his preferred right flank.
Last season, Bukayo Saka was rushed back for Liverpool`s visit to the Emirates. He scored an early goal, but his performance waned as he struggled with a muscle problem, which ultimately led to a major hamstring injury within two months. With no chance of Saka returning this weekend from the injury sustained against Leeds, Arsenal will be looking to Madueke to provide crucial relief and impact.
The 23-year-old winger previously impressed against Trent Alexander-Arnold while playing for Chelsea on the left flank last season. Now, he`s likely anticipating the challenge against Milos Kerkez, who, despite being the more defensively oriented of Liverpool`s new full-backs, is still keen to push forward. Madueke`s direct style and raw pace appear perfectly suited to exploit the defensive gaps behind the champions` backline, areas that teams like Bournemouth and Newcastle have successfully targeted. This fixture could be an ideal platform for the new signing to earn the trust of the Arsenal faithful.
