Mikel Arteta makes two Arsenal changes vs Liverpool as £27m star returns - view
Arsenal will be eyeing a sixth-straight Premier League win when they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
The Gunners have a six-point advantage over Manchester City and Aston Villa at the top of the table and have a chance to increase the gap.
They have not beaten Liverpool since February 2024, but will be aiming to end a three-game winless streak in front of their supporters.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta could make a couple of big changes.
There is no reason to contemplate a change in the goalkeeping or defensive department. With Riccardo Calafiori still on the sidelines, Piero Hincapie is poised to continue at left-back.
The same is the case in the centre of the park with the manager fielding his best combination of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard against the Cherries last weekend.
Rice was phenomenal with his maiden league brace, while Odegaard continued his fine form by playing a part in both of those goals. Zubimendi made 12 recoveries against the Cherries.
Viktor Gyokeres may not be firing upfront, but his movement has created space for his teammates to capitalise.
He played a key role in Rice’s opening goal, shifting the focus of five Bournemouth players towards him, thus providing space and time for the midfielder to find the back of the net.
The only changes should be in the wide attacking department. Gabriel Martinelli had another poor outing on the left wing.
The Brazilian has not been able to replicate his Champions League form in the Premier League games. He is expected to be replaced by Leandro Trossard on Thursday.
The £27 million signing has been superb in the current league campaign with five goals and four assists.
Trossard bagged a goal and an assist in the 4-1 rout of Aston Villa. He was handed a breather with a cameo role on Saturday, but should be back in the starting line-up.
Noni Madueke was instrumental in Gabriel Magalhaes’ equaliser with a superb dribbling run, but Bukayo Saka is poised to be reinstated in the starting XI from the right wing.
Saka grabbed a vital assist coming off the bench for Rice. It proved to be the match-winner in a slender 3-2 victory for the Gunners at the Vitality Stadium last weekend.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
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