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Confirmed Arsenal team to face Liverpool – Can the Gunners end their Anfield curse?

Arsenal travel to Anfield this afternoon knowing full well that anything less than a win could prove fatal in them securing Champions League football for next season. With Newcastle and Manchester City breathing down their necks, and Chelsea and Aston Villa not too far off either, Arsenal really need to bring home all 3 points today. But Anfield remains a psychological barrier – and Arsenal must be near-perfect to break it.

The Gunners will be coming off the back of that Champions League semi-final defeat in Paris in which they failed to reach the Champions League final. The Reds will also head into the encounter having lost their last game 3-1 away to Chelsea last weekend.

Kick-off is at 16:30 UK time, and we’ll bring you full match post-game analysis on JustArsenal as always.

🟢 Here is the confirmed starting XI for Arsenal today:

Whatever side Arteta has picked, the mentality will be key. Liverpool have already won the league but Arsenal must prove they have what it takes to maintain their 2nd place position, even at the toughest of away grounds.

How are you feeling ahead of kick-off, Gooners? Confident – or cautious?

Michelle M
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139 Comments

  4. Would have liked to have seen Tierney LB and Miles in MD but our manager is still obsessed with this inverted crap.

  5. I don’t think we have a chance of winning this one because of our exertions over the past week,the absence of Rice and the fact that Liverpool rarely lose at home. I’m hoping for a draw. That said, I hope I’m wrong and we win it.

  6. Calafoiri play him at left CB just to see what’s he like mls in midfield the same etc etc expect a pool win by 6 maybe 10 I joke u not

  7. The best team in Europe vs the best team in England . It will be a cracker

      1. Its time Arteta backs his statements on the pitch and today is the best opportunity to do so against the champions

  8. My lord saka misses some big chances he is fit after all no excuses

  12. 10 nill I said it sack that usless clown arteta plus odeagard

  13. How come no VAR? Freeze framed on that second ball and he definitely looks off side.

  15. Total shambles.. just as well Chelsea lost because this is going to be a mauling!

  16. Wow “best team in Europe” getting an absolute hiding from Liverpool; see why we are 15 points behind them.

    Our players look amateurish, and Arteta has no answer for Slot’s tactics.

    Time to muster some pride and attack, put up some kind of fight.

    1. Every time we attack we look like getting countered with great ease. Liverpool look like scoring at will!

  17. This will be embarrassing. If Madrid offer good money for saliba ffs sell him and build a team with the money. So many passes backwards and sideways and the no recognised striker has done us yet again

    1. Yeah, our football is groundhog day, Sue. Lots of passing and little else to talk about. Same old same old..

      1. Sideways, backwards, no-one wants to shoot anymore. So boring, horrible to watch, GunneRay. Back to our Anfield maulings 🙄

  19. It’s not like we don’t need this game, Newcastle and Man City are sniffing around now when then really shouldn’t be.

    1. Top 5 all but sercued
      That’s the ambition of the club and certain fans
      Didn’t someone say the other week top 5 and semi final should be applauded?

      1. We pick on the same names but how many mistakes does Skelly have to make at left back
        Literally the same they did at the Emirates
        Play the ball over the top , Skelley out of position

        1. Liverpool are just a well oiled machine, Dan. They defend and attack in numbers with extraordinary fitness levels. It’s not wonder they won the title with ease. We’re a million miles away in terms of squad depth and fitness. Our injuries are a constant problem every season. Is it luck? I’m not sure..

        2. Everyone out of position and gets cooked when Arteta refuses to change his inverted fullback tactics.

          Tavares got benched at halftime one season, Zinchenko got cooked repeatedly, name me a fullback of ours who has not been schooled by Liverpool and our inverted tactics.

          Arteta is too comfortable and too secure in his position. That’s partly why no striker for several years, why no change from this boring Artetaball, we need new tactics as badly as new players.

          1. Spot on. Poor tactics poor shape and Liverpool have a better style than us. Arteta is wanting at the top table.

  21. Lose to Newcas and draw only with the saints then europa league here we come..P45 for Arteta I think

    1. So you can be also predict the results of the other teams games too then🤷‍♂️

  22. What a dismal display. Poor tactics again and self inflicted problems. Shocking!!!!!

      1. Whats even more shocking, is the best team in Europe getting hammered by the best team in little old England. I hate this football under Arteta!!!!! And tge BS excuses.
        Same again next season.

  23. Freeze frame their second goal definitely looks offside, or at least should’ve gone to VAR, but we should be doing better, Rice is a massive loss.

  26. Damage limitation now. When Arteta is sack who should take over? that is the big question, I’ve never been a fan of Arteta but how many more season’s can we give him before we dont “trust the process” and before players leave to win silverware at another club. He says we are the biggest club in Europe but we aren’t even the biggest club in England or we might not even be the best club in London if palace win the cup or Chelsea win the conference but God forbid we won’t even be the best club in north London in spurs beat Man utd. I would rather call time on this season and see what we do in the transfer market and hope 2026 brings better luck

  28. We need a restart button
    It’s good season is ending soon
    Hopefully we will have a restart button
    But there are so many things needs to be sorted out in summer

  29. Confidence in front of goal was sad to see. The fannying around in their box midway through the half was awful. There was a half decent chance to score Take a chance at least. Give it a go.

    Partey looked uncomfortable and lucky not to get a second yellow

      1. No you didn’t
        I honestly thought he got one as he was sailing close to the wind

  30. Unfortunately we will have to stick with Arteta because I don’t see any possible upgrade on him in the Manager Market
    And Arteta will be at helm next season because Zubimendi signing confirms that

  31. I actually can’t believe how poor Saliba has been for the past few months. I honestly feel he’s just not been the same. Since gabi was injured. He’s looked average. Not good at all!

      1. I don’t believe that for one second
        Even if to you’re right it’s not a good look to be showing to potential suitors

  32. I have always said Martinelli should play as CF
    What a perfect movment by Martinelli
    He is decent finisher

  33. I think he and Arsenal are missing Gabriel, even though Odergaard is playing really badly Saka still looks to him as his go to man even though he is misfiring, same with Saliba and Gabriel.

  35. over coached,unfit bunch of players ever.they are gods in their own lunchtime.they are lying down against the champions,this is embarrassing for us.

  36. A wee bit of pride returning but all too little too late and Liverpool look like they’re already thinking about taking their suitcases out of the attic

    1. I think it’s 4-4-2 when we are having a possession
      Merino drops off on left side and Martinelli drifts inside

  38. Martinelli is making so many forward runs
    But nobody is either tracking his run or we are just afraid of making risky passes

  40. Arteta has made a good change moving Martinelli centrally. He’s giving Liverpool problems.

    2. MLS spending more time in midfield is allowing us to dominate the midfield as well. Good comeback from 2-0 down. Credit to the boys and the manager. Now let’s go and win this.

  41. This is what we want to see: some efforts from our players please. The results will always come with the efforts.

  43. Only started watching in the 2nd half Odegaard is looking a lot more productive. Can someone confirm it?

    1. Because he is having a runner now in front line
      Martinelli is playing as CF
      And his movement is causing all sort of problems to Liverpool

  46. Getting a striker who makes a lot of forward runs like gyokeres will unlock odegaard productivity more. Just look at Martinelli

    1. Can’t moan about 2nd yellow but why oh why don’t we make changes until it’s too late

      1. Probably because we were on top of the game, and didn’t want to break our rhythm.

    2. You are right. Another problem we have which stretches back to Wenger times is we don’t get enough shots off. It’s like we want to walk the ball into the net with the perfect goal. Sometimes even a lousy shot can go in via deflection. A striker who shoots will score a lot in this team.

      1. Nah Sue, Arsenal was lulling Liverpool into a false sense of security. Nearly worked too, if that late shot from Ødegaard had gone in.

    1. It was
      He had 2 fouls in that play
      And 2nd one was reckless
      He could have survived the 1st one
      But 2nd was reckless

      1. It wasn’t – it was in no way reckless, Liverpool player tripped over his leg, no deliberate contact. No need for a second yellow, could’ve been a warning, ref just ruined the game … again.

  53. At least now Arteta should play Martinelli as CF
    And buy new CF who can produce that kind of movement which was shown by Martinelli is must in the summer

  54. Just a thought how bad are the Liverpool so called fans at booing TAA for wanting to join Real Madrid
    SHAMEFUL

  57. A valuable point maybe? Arteta must have gone bonkers at half time! Might the the point we needed!!!

      1. Sue, we nearly shot ourselves in the foot. Its not great because we do it far to often.

    1. Fair play
      2-0 down after Paris , most would have folded
      That all but sercues CL in my opinion

      1. Rescued by VAR. I thought you might have had something to say about that Dan😏

  61. Tough on Merino. Our midfield against Newcastle’s going to look a bit bare if Rice doesn’t recover. Be good to see Miles in there.

    1. Why no Nwaneri? – Saka is not looking up to speed, not helped by the continual fouls on him, and refs not giving them.

    1. I don’t agree, he was dead eye passing before the injury, he gave the ball away a lot this game as well. I think Saka’s game has dropped since injury as well, I don’t understand why Nwaneri hasn’t been in.

    1. TBH – it was the January transfer window that was our problem, not Arteta, Sterling was a complete waste of time and money.

    3. @Lucy78 Actually, he was. We could all see ME Rino was tired. The subs were late, and the game was a masterclass in who Arteta is. the nearly man.

      1. I believe we have had the most red cards this season. Shows a lack of discipline and nous. Is that from the manager? Ultimately yes, actually no. But he guides the team. And subs were required far earlier than he did.

  64. I’ve read every post on here during the game. For most of the first half both Arsenal and Arteta was getting slated, and rightly so.

    But come the second half and the improvement in the team, suddenly there was some light shining, and both Arsenal and Arteta was the best thing since sliced bread once again.

    It really is amazing how a single result can sway fans one way or the other.

    Us fans are so fickle at times aren’t we. And I include myself in this to. 😉👍

    1. You beat me to it Derek.
      I wonder if all those who complained and forecast a 10-0 drubbing etc etc ever feel embarrassed by their comments?
      2-0 down, no Rice, no Timber no Gabriel, no Havertz, no Jesus, a man sent off and yet we come back to draw with the PL champions, at their ground and all the praise is less than half of the venom directed at the manager and certain players.
      That point could be so crucial at the end of the season and we managed it without key players, after conceding two goals in two minutes!!
      Too many trophy hunting fans and not enough supporters is my conclusion after reading the comments like you Derek and if that upsets some of you, I couldn’t give a damn!!

      1. Ken1945 and Derek

        I honestly thought we were going to be on the end of a drubbing. I am obviously delighted that we weren’t but I was most definitely fearful

        1. I had 2-3. I blame Odegaard for not scoring late on. I wanted 3 points for the team and 3 for the predictor

          2. SueP,

            Maybe hitting the sherry🍷 early isn’t such a bad idea after all. 😂🤣👍😉

      3. Ken, I concur with about the trophy hunters. I really like what the great Dennis Bergkamp said about supporting a team.

        “When you start supporting a football club, you don’t support it because of the trophies, or a player, or history, you support it because you found yourself somewhere there, found a place you belong.”

        We would all like The Arsenal to win trophies every single season, but that hasn’t happened in our lifetime.

        You, I, and a few others on here have seen the rough times and the good times. For me, when we win a trophy after having a barren spell, I’m more elated.

        1. But Dan, bringing money into it (expensive tickets) doesn’t have a bearing on the comments being made at the time does it?
          That’s why red herring – just as the fact that we haven’t won a title in 21 years is.
          Why do you think season tickets are hard to get, along with match day tickets?. My opinion is it’s because supporters follow the club through thick and thin trophy or no trophy.
          Some of the comments as the game unfolded, were just too ridiculous for words… a ten nil drubbing etc etc
          That point means that Newcastle have to take all three points, otherwise second spot is out of their hands and we earnt that with the help of the fantastic away support at the ground, not some keyboard warriors sitting at home and blaming the manager, the players and the owner.
          This isn’t a go at you by the way, as I asked if anyone went back and read their original posts and then apologised.

          As I said above, that point was valuable and the game wasn’t of zero consequence, as there is placed prize money involved and, also, the fact that, if we don’t seal second place, it will give those fans who are ready to pounce, the exact piece of attack they need…. “finishing below second is regression, Arteta Out “… I can see some writing his obituary as Arsenal manager already!!

          1. Exactly Ken I agree
            So if we are following them through thick and thin that’s not trophy hunters
            If it were trophy hunters to stadium would be half full
            Even me and you , what we are doing now is passion
            If we were trophy hunters we wouldn’t be this involved

        2. That Bergkamp quote is one that should apply to fans of any club HD and that’s why I always admired the old Manchester City fans, who followed them all the way down to the third division… no trophies, just the love of the club with crowds of over 20,000 for games in the third tier.
          You don’t measure a fanbase by the trophies it’s won while being successful – you measure it by the lean years.

          1. Ken, very true about the then Man City fans. A friend of mine, Adrian (RIP) followed them through thick and thin.

            A little story about when we played them when Francis Lee was their owner/chairman. We beat them at Highbury, I think it was 3-1. After the game me and two mates went for a coffee in the kebab shop that we used and waited for the traffic to die down. When we left, we walked down towards the Alwyne Castle pub and the traffic was still quite slow. A jaguar car was caught in the traffic and Francis Lee was in the front passenger seat. He pushed the button and his window came down and he asked us if we’d been to the game. We said yes and then he started ranting that Kevin Campbell had punched the ball into their goal from a corner. I replied to him that he had done that against us at Highbury during the 70’s, when he tried a diving header. Suddenly his window went up and he couldn’t even look at us.

            I wasn’t at that game, but I remembered it from the back of the News of the World Sunday paper.

        1. Stop it now Herr Drier. The use of derogatory slang towards another poster on here is unacceptable.

  67. Out of interest Sue
    What did you think how fans treated Trent yesterday ?
    Also did anyone see the Forest owner

    1. I thought it was appalling. TAA has given years of service and been a fine player for Liverpool and has the right to move elsewhere. On the flip side I think he’s out of contract which gives him all the financial benefits and Liverpool get no resale rights. I’d say on balance as it’s all within the rules so good luck to him if he wants a new adventure. He’s won all there is to win at Liverpool

      Would I feel like that about Saka signing for Barcelona? Probably less enthusiastic 😂. It’s not as if TAA is moving to another English team such as Everton I’d feel the same if Saka went to City or Liverpool and opted out of Arsenal in the next couple of years. Illogical probably

  68. For the second time in a week I am closing a thread because some of you just cannot stick to football.

    My patience is now at an end and the next time action will be taken.

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