Liverpool vs Arsenal: The King and the Runner-up

The Premier League is exciting as Liverpool face Arsenal, a direct confrontation between two candidates for the championship title.

The battle of two candidates

It is too early to be decisive about the Premier League 2025/26 . There is still plenty of time ahead to correct mistakes and doubts.

However, the match at Anfield has special significance for both rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.

At Anfield is a battle between two championship candidates. Photo: Imago

On one side is the reigning Premier League champion, on the other side is the familiar runner-up – with three consecutive seasons watching their rivals lift the most prestigious trophy in English football.

Mikel Arteta, as usual, continues to call for trust in the process he has built, although sometimes things do not go the way the Kroenke family want – owners who want to win with beautiful attacking football.

Arteta's tenure has yet to yield a Premier League title, something they have not done since 2004, but has helped Arsenal return to the top flight in recent seasons, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

This is the right time for Arsenal to prove their worth, having matured and received record investment in all areas.

At Anfield, it is also an opportunity for new signing Eberechi Eze to make his debut, in the context that Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are at risk of being absent, and Kai Havertz is definitely not playing.

Viktor Gyokeres, who scored twice in the second round against Leeds United, wants to establish himself as a difference-maker in important games, not a star performer against weaker teams.

Gyokeres has “opened fire” for Arsenal. Photo: AFC

Gyokeres represents a change of heart for Arteta, who previously favoured a “false nine”. The Swedish striker wants to show his worth, and send a message that he is the man to take Arsenal beyond the Premier League runners-up barrier.

The answer will come in nine months. Now, Gyokeres and Arsenal must pass the extremely difficult test called Liverpool. A national exam for excellent students.

Challenge at Anfield

Arsenal face a daunting task ahead: winning at a stadium where they have not won since 2012.

If they win all three points at Anfield, Arteta's side will make a significant mark: winning their opening three Premier League games for the first time in 20 years.

Then, with a two-week break for FIFA Days, the Gunners will embark on a gruelling schedule of fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Man City and a trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle.

Recently, against Newcastle, Liverpool, despite having one more player, only won thanks to the brilliance of young talent Ngumoha, who scored in the 100th minute.

Arne Slot's team has scored 7 goals in the opening 2 matches of the 2025/26 Premier League. If Arsenal has the expected new signing Gyokeres, Liverpool are ecstatic with new signing Hugo Ekitike.

The Frenchman has been one of the most exciting signings of the summer, scoring in both games, or three in a row if you count the Community Shield – when Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace on penalties.

At Ekitike, Liverpool fans saw a bit of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. He not only scored goals, but also spread out, actively pressed and participated in the ball.

Ekitike are in impressive form. Photo: LFC

Not only Ekitike, but Liverpool still has Mohamed Salah - a player with special influence from the Jurgen Klopp era to the Slot dynasty.

Salah is always ready to "fire" against Arsenal, with 11 goals in 16 Premier League meetings. Only Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney have scored more goals against the "Gunners" than him.

If there is one problem for Liverpool, it is their defence, with the Reds conceding four goals in just two open games (six in all competitions) – the sort of game that suits Arsenal.

Virgil van Dijk, the leader of Liverpool's defense, is showing signs of slowing down compared to Arsenal's central defenders.

The return of Mac Allister promises to increase the fighting spirit and balance for Liverpool, making the battle between the two leading candidates for the Premier League title more exciting.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dai-chien-liverpool-vs-arsenal-nha-vua-va-ke-ve-nhi-2438164.html