Chris Sutton is ‘not entirely sure’ why he predicts Arsenal will beat Liverpool 2-1 when they meet at the Emirates on Sunday but expects one certainty for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Reds return to north London this weekend for a crunch clash in the Premier League title race. Liverpool have already claimed a 2-0 win at Arsenal this calendar year after triumphing in the FA Cup. Jurgen Klopp’s team also held Arteta’s XI to a 1-1 draw at Anfield in December.
Arsenal falling to defeats against West Ham United and Fulham following the stalemate with Liverpool has allowed the Merseyside natives to open a five-point advantage to the Gunners in third. Manchester City are second on goal difference to Arsenal but have a fixture in hand.
Arsenal will hope third time’s the charm when they host Liverpool
Arteta saw Arsenal get a lead at Liverpool in December when Gabriel Magalhaes (4’) headed home Martin Odegaard’s early free-kick. But Trent Alexander-Arnold found Mohamed Salah (29’) to equalise soon after in a game the Egyptian forward tormented Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Liverpool would need an own goal from Jakub Kiwior (80’) to break the deadlock when they visited Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup in January, too. But Arsenal’s search for the equaliser in the third-round tie let the Reds counter and Luis Diaz (90’+5) score the second, late goal.
Sutton predicts a key change from Arteta’s side and a 2-1 Arsenal win
But Sutton expects a key change from Arsenal’s FA Cup display when they host Liverpool in the Premier League. The Celtic hero notes how the Gunners wasted many chances to score in January. Yet, this time, Sutton predicts Arsenal will convert them and beat Liverpool 2-1.
“We’ve already seen how close it is between these two sides when they’ve met before this season,” Sutton has told BBC Sport. “The Gunners missed a load of chances when Liverpool came to the Emirates and won in the FA Cup last month.
“Mikel Arteta’s side still don’t have a centre-forward. But, this time, I think they will finish some of the opportunities they create.
“I’m still not entirely sure why I am going with Arsenal to win this game because Liverpool will score, too. But the Gunners definitely need the points more, and I think they will just about do enough to get them.”
Per WhoScored, Arsenal attempted 18 shots to Liverpool’s 12 during their FA Cup meeting. But the Gunners only directed five on target to the Reds’ three, with seven and eight each missing the mark. Klopp’s players even blocked six of their attempts to beat Alisson Becker.
No player for either team that day also attempted more shots than Kai Havertz with six. The midfielder started as a false-nine with Gabriel Jesus absent with an injury. Odegaard further rattled the crossbar, while Reiss Nelson and Havertz dithering in the box cost them chances.
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