Jamie Griffith’s tips for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at Anfield include an away victory for the Gunners with plenty of goals.
Premier League leaders Arsenal head to Merseyside on Saturday to take on their closest title pursuers, second-placed Liverpool, in what could turn into a brilliant spectacle as both sides hope to be at the summit of England’s top-flight at Christmas.
Liverpool v Arsenal best bets
Arsenal to win @ 15/8
Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score @ 19/20
Gabriel Jesus to score anytime @ 12/5
Arsenal gunning for top spot
Just one point separates these two sides at the top of the Premier League with a win for either outfit ensuring they will be top of the tree at Christmas, and Arsenal may just cement their place at the summit on Saturday.
Their away record against Liverpool is poor, failing to win any of their last ten trips to Anfield, but this is a completely different Gunners side now, boosted by the calming presence of William Saliba and Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta’s side have shown an ability to prevail in testing times this season, most notably when beating Manchester City and scoring late on to secure wins over Manchester United and Luton.
Their mettle has been tested on many occasions but Arteta’s men have stood firm more times than not, suggesting they will not succumb to the Anfield atmosphere this time around.
Arsenal utterly dominated a strong Brighton team last weekend, winning the shot count 26-6, while Liverpool were wasteful against rivals Manchester United later on that Sunday afternoon.
A repeat of those performances may result in the points heading back to London.
Free-flowing attacks should come to the fore
The two fixtures between these sides last season saw goals for each team with the ball hitting the net at least four times, and Saturday’s clash should throw up the same level of entertainment.
Arsenal have recently conceded three away at struggling Luton and twice at a misfiring Chelsea, so with the attacking talent Liverpool possess, including 15-goal forward Mohamed Salah, the Reds are likely to make their presence felt.
Arsenal are high-scorers themselves, however, having netted 19 times in their last ten Premier League matches, suggesting a free-scoring contest could be on the cards at Anfield.
Jesus set to provide Christmas cheer
Gabriel Jesus had come under some criticism prior to December, after scoring just once in his first nine Premier League appearances of the season.
However, the Arsenal striker had been netting plenty in the Champions League, notching four in five games in that competition, and has since scored twice in three games domestically.
The Brazilian marksman has scored three goals and assisted three more in his last six appearances against Liverpool and he rates a solid bet to get on the scoresheet against a side he clearly relishes facing.
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