Arsenal can jump into second spot on the Premier League ladder with a win over Liverpool, in the first game following the international break. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 10:30pm AEDST.
February 26 may have seen Arsenal suffer a home loss against Monaco, but since then the Gunners have not made a wrong step, winning six from six.
A win against Liverpool will lift them to second place on the Premier League ladder, while they are safely ensconced in FA Cup reckoning to defend the title they won last season.
European elimination may have been painful at Monaco, but it has brought about steeliness at the Emirates Stadium.
In contrast, the bubble burst for Liverpool last weekend, and against the worst possible opponent. An otherwise flawless 2015 was brought unstuck by Manchester United, as Liverpool not only lost a game against its oldest foes, but also Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel to suspension, and possibly Daniel Sturridge to injury.
Fourth place is not out of reach, but a visit to the Emirates comes at the worst time to make up the current five-point gap.
Arsenal’s renaissance has come via a clinical ability in front of goal, ably led by Olivier Giroud. He who missed several open chances against Monaco has since been popping goals in for fun, ably flanked by Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez.
In midfield, Arsene Wenger may be tempted to counteract Brendan Rodgers’ counterattacking setup by installing Mathieu Flamini at the base, with Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Oezil operating in the central areas. Wenger also appears to have solved his central defensive dilemmas following the purchase of Gabriel Paulista, who has dovetailed well alongside Laurent Koscielny.
Arsenal’s tactics will likely involve crowding out a Liverpool midfield sans Steven Gerrard, and employing regular attacks in and around the opposition back three sans Skrtel.
If Liverpool are to miss out on the top four, they can cite the United derby as the day they let their momentum slip. The absence of Skrtel in defence means a likely return for Dejan Lovren, alongside Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can, or possibly even a start for Kolo Toure at his former home.
In midfield, Gerrard’s absence is less worrisome, with Joe Allen combining well alongside Jordan Henderson during the captain’s long-term injury layoff last month.
The real problems for Liverpool are upfront, with both Sturridge and Adam Lallana in doubt. An absence to either may grant Raheem Sterling his wish to play upfront alongside the in-form Philippe Coutinho, while Mario Balotelli may also be given a chance to shine following a bright performance in last weekend’s All Stars charity game at Anfield.
Expect Liverpool to be in a defensive mindset and play strictly on the counterattack, as they will know any further blanks can end their top-four chances.
Liverpool’s record at the Emirates is poor, with the last win coming in late 2010. Arsenal start as warm favourites, and should jump into second by full time.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Arsenal put on a clinic. Highly unlikely they will catch up to Chelsea but don't write them off a second placed finish.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool Great afternoon for Arsenal. They go next up north as they meet Burnley at Turf Moor. Liverpool's next Premier League assignment is at home against Newcastle, but before that, they travel to Ewood Park to meet Blackburn in an FA Cup replay. We are getting at the business end of the season, as Chelsea meet Stoke later today, while Man United play Villa. City don't come to action until Tuesday morning our time, as they have a tough assignment at Crystal Palace to regain second spot. At fulltime at the Emirates, it finished Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool . Good morning!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Well, here is the top of the table after this result: Chelsea (P29, 67pts, +36) Arsenal (P31, 63pts, +30) Manchester City (P30, 61pts, +34) Manchester United (P30, 59pts, +25) Liverpool (P31, 54pts, +9) Southampton (P30, 53pts, +21) Tottenham (P30, 53pts, +5) Swansea City (P30, 43pts, -4) West Ham (P30, 42pts, +3) Stoke City (P30, 42pts, -3)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Indeed it is, and Arsenal are lurking behind Chelsea now. They are a part of this title challenge, as they score four superb goals, against Jordan Henderson's rather superfluous penalty. They take second, albeit with Chelsea having two games in hand, and City spluttering. Liverpool, meanwhile, languish in fifth, and stand to fall further behind Manchester United. FULLTIME: Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: Offside against Welbeck, and that should see us out here. Seconds to play. Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: Welbeck tries for a fifth, and it's pulled wide that Flamini cannot get on the end of! It's been a wonderful afternoon for Arsenal. Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
+90+2: Took the pass from Cazorla, and Giroud steps inside of Toure outside the box, and he finishes off the fourth of four superb goals that would beat any goalkeeper, let alone Simon Mignolet, who in fairness has done very little wrong today! Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Four minutes added on, and Arsenal to see out a result that will take them to second place. HERE'S THE FOURTH! IT'S A PICTURE PERFECT AFTERNOON FOR ARSENAL, CAPPED OFF BY OLIVIER GIROUD! FOUR! Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: Beautiful by Arsenal, and Cazorla hits the post! They walk through the lightened Liverpool defence, and Cazorla goes for placement, and it hammers off the right post, and out for a goalkick! Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Cazorla's corner is cleared away, and then a second try by the Spaniard is then dealt with by Toure on the feet of Giroud. Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'88: Toure with a mighty header that denies Giroud and Arsenal another. Corner for the home side. Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: Arsenal's flutters should be calmed as a result of Can's dismissal. For Brendan Rodgers, his next assignment is to face Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup replay at Ewood Park without Martin Skrtel or Emre Can. Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: Late from Can, and it's a second red for Emre Can, who is now off! Poor from the German, as he goes through Welbeck from behind with the striker not going anywhere! For the second game in a row, Liverpool go down to 10. Free kick is floated well above the wall and over! Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'80: Well the talk will continue about Raheem Sterling, but he has looked a player clearly frustrated at his surroundings. It could have been so different had Markovic's pass in the first half been more accurate. Now stolen by Welbeck, who does well to initially gain possession, and then is released by Giroud, but has a shot too angled, and Mignolet can block his near post easily from any attempted shot. Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: Sterling not looking comfortable at all, as he has his hands on his hips and looks laboured. Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'78: Big call here, as Anthony Taylor has fouled Alexis Sanchez, who looked to have legally stolen the ball from Lucas, and that's a big letoff for Liverpool, as it would have been two on two for Arsenal! Poor call there from the ref, and it keeps Liverpool interested. Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'76: Henderson on this against Ospina. He beats Ospina! The Colombian found the right way, but Henderson's shot found the way through! Small glimmer for the visitors. Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'75: Low percentage from Liverpool, as the corner is kicked to the base of midfield, as Henderson tries a volley that goes wide. That's the kind of shot you can try at 3-0 up, not the other way around. Poor choice there. PENALTY! Given away by Bellarin, as he hauls down Sterling! Chance for Liverpool. Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: Moreno with a lungbursting run down the left, and his attempted cross is off the leg of Gabriel for a corner. Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'73: Final change is made for Arsenal, as Mesut Oezil is cheered off amongst audible cheers. He's off for Danny Welbeck. Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool