Arsenal has the opportunity to extend its Premier League lead on Thursday, Jan. 8, hosting Liverpool in a crucial match at the Emirates Stadium in London.
The Gunners enter the clash with a five-point lead over Manchester City, which was held to a third consecutive draw on Wednesday. Arsenal has won its last five Premier League games as the season crossed the midway point, hoping to win the club’s first title since 2004.
Liverpool, last year’s champion, had had a frustrating campaign and sits in fourth place. Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 in the teams’ first meeting of the season at Anfield in August with a dazzling free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.
‘We’re very excited. It’s a massive game against the champions,’ Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters. ‘We have a point to prove, we’re going to have our crowd creating an amazing atmosphere.’
How to watch Arsenal vs Liverpool, live stream
Live stream: Peacock
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FINAL: Arsenal 0, Liverpool 0
The reigning champions and hopeful 2026 champions will each settle for a point with a scoreless draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are back to being six points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League, failing to capitalize on City being held to a draw of their own on Wednesday.
78′: Saka, Odegaard subbed off
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made a bold double-substitution, taking out stars Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in favor of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke’s fresh legs.
72′: Arsenal-Liverpool still scoreless in London
Liverpool has probably looked more likely to score in the second half, but Arsenal continues to apply pressure.
Arsenal made two substitutions in the 64th minute with Gabriel Martinelli coming on for Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus replacing Viktor Gyökeres.
56′: Myles Lewis-Skelly comes on for Arsenal
Myles Lewis-Skelly came on for Arsenal to replace Piero Hincapie at left back. The Ecuadorian international limped off under his own power with a trainer.
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene last season and earned his England debut, but has found minutes hard to come by in this campaign.
Halftime: Arsenal 0, Liverpool 0
No goals but a lively first half in London with Arsenal looking likely to score for the first 25 minutes or so, but Liverpool found its footing as the 45 minutes progressed. The reigning champions’ best chance came when Conor Bradley hit the crossbar with a long-range effort after an Arsenal giveaway.
27′: Conor Bradley hits the bar for Liverpool
A sloppy passage of play with Arsenal’s defense and goalkeeper David Raya ended with the ball at Conor Bradley’s feet and an open net – but his long-range effort hit the crossbar, just inches away from putting Liverpool ahead.
20′: Arsenal on the front foot, still scoreless
Arsenal are coming at Liverpool with wave after wave and have gotten into some dangerous positions – but things are still scoreless after 20 minutes. Bukayo Saka has been toying with the Liverpool defense on the right side in the early goings, but Arsenal has switched up the attack with Leandro Trossard on the left.
London weather an issue as Arsenal vs. Liverpool kicks off
The match has begun at the Emirates Stadium and the players will be dealing with heavy rain in London as the south of England starts to be hit by a winter storm.
Arsenal is deploying its high press in the opening minutes and Liverpool has had a tough time getting forward.
Arsenal lineup vs. Liverpool
Mikel Arteta makes two changes to his lineup, bringing in Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, who both came off the bench in Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Bournemouth.
Liverpool starting lineup today
Hugo Ekitike injury update
Liverpool will be without forward Hugo Ekitike against Arsenal, his second game in a row out of the lineup as he deals with a hamstring issue.
Signed for more than $75 million last summer from Eintracht Frankurt, Ekitike has scored eight goals in 18 Premier League games for Liverpool.
Premier League standings
(entering Thursday, Jan. 8)
Arsenal – 48 points
Manchester City – 43
Aston Villa – 43
Liverpool – 34
Brentford – 33
Newcastle – 32
Manchester United – 32
Chelsea – 31
Fulham – 31
Sunderland – 30
Arne Slot doesn’t ‘completely disagree’ with criticism
Hearing his Liverpool team branded as dull and boring is ‘hard to hear,’says manager Arne Slot although the Dutchman says he cannot completely disagree with the criticism.
Liverpool are unbeaten in eight Premier League games but have looked unimpressive, drawing their last two games against Leeds United and Fulham and only narrowly beating bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They have scored 16 fewer goals than they did at the same stage of last season and the reigning champions are 14 points behind leaders Arsenal entering Thursday.
– Reuters
Arsenal has ‘point to prove’ vs. Liverpool
Premier League leaders Arsenal has ‘a point to prove’ when they face Liverpool, manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday as the North London club looks to maintain its commanding advantage at the summit.
Arsenal have 48 points from 20 games, five points clear of Manchester City, boasting an unbeaten record at home having won 14 of their 15 matches across all competitions this season.
But Liverpool also carry extra motivation into the Emirates Stadium clash after handing Arsenal its first defeat of the campaign with a 1-0 victory at Anfield back in August.
– Reuters
What time is Arsenal vs Liverpool today?
Thursday’s match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.