A relatively rare midweek match-up between Arsenal and Liverpool, two of the Premier League’s most in-form sides, could have a significant bearing on both sides’ seasons. Arsenal made it five straight league wins by beating Leicester City 2-0 at the weekend, and with games in hand over everybody else in the top half, they’re taking an even firmer grip on a top-four place.However, the only teams they’ve lost in 2022 in the league are two of the three above them (Manchester City and Liverpool) so this will be a stern test for Mikel Arteta’s men. Sunday’s victory was another example of the Gunners getting ahead and kicking on thereafter as they’ve only lost once after scoring first here in the league this term (W9, D1).Liverpool have roared back into the title race after a 2-0 win at Brighton at the weekend made it eight consecutive league victories for the 2019/20 title winners. But boss Jürgen Klopp will know that in order to overtake leaders Manchester City they might need to win almost every remaining game, starting here with a potentially tricky trip to Arsenal. Just like their hosts, they’ll be desperate to strike first, as seven games in their recent winning streak saw Liverpool ahead at half-time.Pep’s Citizens watching over their shoulders after failing to turn domination into goalsNow, thanks to an unexpected draw for City against Crystal Palace, the Reds head into their next game – which is also a game in hand – knowing they can shrink City’s lead to just a point with a match against them at the Etihad still to play.“Why should it?” Klopp’s responsed when asked if Palace’s result changes anything for him or Liverpool’s players. “It could impact mood if in our minds we were thinking this competition is just with City but the fact is we play Arsenal.“I don’t know how you can count points away at Arsenal already and think, ‘It’s only one point.’ I think it’s easy for [the media], but for us it is four points and we have to play this game if we want to reach something in this Premier League.”Although Liverpool’s last league defeat was away from home, they’ve gone four league road games unbeaten since (W3, D1). They have only won one league fixture in London this term (D3, L1), but have fared better here recently, winning their last two visits to the Emirates ‘to nil’. Mohamed Salah scored in one of those games and the Reds will hope his unresolved contract negotiations don’t become a distraction.Gunners hunt down the Foxes with ease – fifth win in a row for Arteta’s menGhanaian Thomas Partey has scored two league match-openers for Arsenal this term, on both occasions heading in corners within the opening 25 minutes, while Liverpool’s Diogo Jota has netted four goals across the last two head-to-head encounters here, three of them after the hour-mark.An interesting piece of statistics: against Brighton, Liverpool became the second club to score 2,000 Premier League goals – Arsenal need one more to join them.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Arteta is well-placed to assess the Reds credentials and their transformation under Klopp.“I think we played against some top teams and we played against City not long ago and you know the problems that they put in,” he told reporters.“Every week is a test in the Premier League and a very different one, and the challenges that you face in those games are completely different, but tonight certainly is a team that dominates every aspect of the game, so when that happens you have to be at your best.”PREMIER LEAGUERearranged matches Round 16Wed 22:30: (3.50) Brighton (3.30) Tottenham (2.15)Round 27Wed 23:15: (3.80) Arsenal (3.60) Liverpool (2.05)Round 20Thu 22:45: (2.50) Everton (3.20) Newcastle (3.15)
