There is the small matter of a Premier League heavyweight showdown between Arsenal and Liverpool to embrace from the Emirates on Sunday, with defeat for the Gunners potentially being fatal to their title aspirations.
Liverpool are currently setting the early pace in the Premier League, having won seven of their opening eight games, and victory on their trip to the capital would put them seven points clear of the Gunners.
Arsenal have to put up a positive response to last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth and they will be buoyed by the fact that they have won five in a row at the Emirates.
However, the Reds are in imperious form under Arne Slot and will be seeking a ninth straight win in all competitions.
- ARSENAL DRAW NO BET
- KAI HAVERTZ ANYTIME GOALSCORER
- KAI HAVERTZ TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Gunners Can Put Themselves Back In The Mix
Having Martin Odegaard injured, Bukayo Saka doubtful and William Saliba suspended are far from ideal circumstances to be taking on Liverpool, but Arsenal can overcome adversary.
The Gunners are always a formidable force on home turf and they have lost only two of their last 24 home league games in the Premier League, something which should inspire them against Liverpool.
The Reds may be flying high at the top of the table with seven wins from eight league games, but they have had a pretty soft schedule, so there is more to be learnt about them under Slot in the coming weeks.
Liverpool had Chelsea’s measure in a 2-1 win at Anfield last week, but the Blues were more than competitive, regularly getting into dangerous areas yet lacking the quality to capitalise.
But Arsenal have that attacking quality and they were impressive 3-1 winners when hosting Liverpool last season.
Liverpool’s last three wins over Wolves, Crystal Palace and Chelsea have all been by a solitary goal and so far they have faced only two of the current top ten.
ARSENAL DRAW NO BET
Havertz Could Shine
Kai Havertz is going to be Arsenal’s main man with Odegaard missing and Saka likely to follow suit, with the Germany international expected to spearhead the home attack.
Havertz has scored four in his last six matches and he has had 26 shots in eight Premier League appearances, with only Erlling Haaland and Cole Palmer registering more efforts among the top-flight’s current top ten scorers.
The 25-year-old fired home 20 goals in 67 appearances for club and country last season and he may be able to better that total this time around.
KAI HAVERTZ ANYTIME GOALSCORER
German May Also Lose His Temper
While Havertz could get on the scoresheet, he may also get booked in what promises to be a fiery encounter between two title rivals.
He has not yet been booked in the Premier League this season but, having committed 15 fouls in eight appearances, it may not be long before that time comes.
The German was cautioned 11 times in the Premier League last term, which included both meetings with Liverpool, so the size of the occasion means a repeat scenario is likely.
KAI HAVERTZ TO BE SHOWN A CARD
