Arsenal

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's match with Liverpool ended in a draw and it is probably a result that both clubs would accept was a fair result.

The Gunners were dominant in the first-half and took a deserved lead into the break. However, Liverpool came back into the game in the second-half, as Arsenal dropped deep as they looked to protect their lead.

Manager Mikel Arteta said he was "very disappointed" that his side did not win the game and that his team "gave away" the two goals that Liverpool scored.

Arsenal do have injury issues at the moment - and they could have got worse during this match.

Centre-back Gabriel came off with a knee injury and Arteta said he "could not run" and was still being assessed, which is far from ideal considering the problems they have already had in their backline.

Jurrien Timber, who was brought back into the fold after injury, had to come off with tiredness and captain Martin Odegaard is still out, although Arteta says he is "close" to a return.

Arsenal are five points off the top of the table and, although it is still early in the season, that seems a big distance when the team on top is Manchester City.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to Sky Sports following the draw: "I'm very proud of the team. The courage, quality and domination in the game we wanted to play, especially in the first-half.

"We should've been at a bigger scoreline in first-half, but then they came out in second-half and we didn't have courage.

"We deserved to win the game. We were the better team. Learnings from both goals, the second one is a transition moment and we have to end up in final third. You cannot give that away.

"We were clear in what we had to do and the execution, determination and aggression with and without the ball was really good. There were a few moments where we should have put the ball in the net.

"In the first phase, we needed more courage to play. We created big opportunities."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal forward and goalscorer Bukayo Saka has been speaking to Sky Sports about the draw: "Disappointed, credit to Liverpool. We feel like we didn't play the full 90 minutes.

"First-half, we showed our qualities and gave them nothing and they scored from a set-piece. I can't think of another chance they had.

"Second-half, we weren't at our best. They had more momentum, won more duels, kept more possession, naturally momentum goes to them and we have to defend."

On the loss of Gabriel: "He is a big player for us but it is not an excuse. We have to adapt and do our best whoever is on the pitch."

On returning to scoring form: "I tried to keep the goalkeeper guessing. I think it was a nice finish. I'm feeling good. I thought I could finish the game, but gaffer took me off."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have scored 27 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League since the start of last season (excluding penalties), which is the most of any team in this period. Their 21 headed goals are also the most of any side in the competition since the start of the last campaign.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal's performance, external

What did you make of Liverpools’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Chelsea v Newcastle - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Crystal Palace v Tottenham - listen on the BBC Sport website

• West Ham v Man Utd - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Liverpool - 16:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction on our live page here

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week nine he takes on rapper Nemzzz, who supports Manchester United.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Liverpool are not helped by having to travel back from RB Leipzig on Wednesday, but Arsenal have bigger problems.

Riccardo Calafiori was excellent against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday but he came off after falling awkwardly. I was at the Emirates and my hunch from seeing what happened is that he will not be fit for Sunday.

Arsenal already have William Saliba suspended, which is a massive loss, so they will have to reshuffle at the back.

There are rumours that Jurrien Timber could be fit to play at left-back, but if not and they go with Oleksandr Zinchenko against Mohamed Salah, you would fancy Salah to get the better of him.

Liverpool can exploit all of this and then you think about how Arsenal are missing players in an attacking sense too.

There’s a lot of talk about whether Bukayo Saka might be fit after missing the past two matches, but Martin Odegaard is still out.

Without them, Arsenal were unconvincing in front of goal against Shakhtar. Gabriel Jesus does so many good things for the team, but you would never back him to finish.

So I am basing this prediction on a combination of what I saw against Shakhtar -because Arsenal were really flat all round - all their injury doubts and Saliba’s absence.

If Saliba was playing, I wouldn’t be predicting a Liverpool win, but if Calafiori and Timber are not fit I don’t feel Arsenal have adequate cover.

This would be a huge win for Liverpool, and everyone is saying that, with the run of tough games they have coming up, we will find out more about them soon.

But they have beaten Chelsea and have enough nous and knowledge in their team to keep their good run going.

I know everyone reading this will go for a 1-1 draw, but I don't like to sit on the fence for big games like this, and neither should you.

Nemzzz's prediction: 2-3

I don't like either of these teams. I want to say Arsenal will win but Liverpool are top and playing really well.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sunday's headline event sees table-toppers Liverpool take on an Arsenal side without Wiliam Saliba, as they look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after defeat to Bournemouth.

Ex-Reds keeper David James and former Premier League striker Jermaine Beckford join The Football News Sshow to discuss the weekend's match at Emirates Stadium.

More from The Football News Show

Arsenal will be missing a handful of key players for this weekend's visit of Liverpool in the Premier League, including captain Martin Odegaard and centre half William Saliba.

Arsenal supporter Alex Moneypenny tells The Football News Show why he is nervous about facing Arne Slot's side but feels victory could provide the statement win to underline their title credentials.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Liverpool (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He is "very uncertain" whether Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber will be available but they are working hard to make it happen.

• Defender Calafiori is undergoing further tests but Arteta remained optimistic, saying: "Last time we thought it was really bad, he ended up playing two days later."

• Saka has "done some training on the grass," while Timber has not progressed in his rehabilitation as quick as planned.

• On so many key players being injured: "This is the game. We obviously don’t want to be in the situation but we are lucky to have the squad we have and the attitude to react to difficult situations. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves we face it and we know how good we are."

• He denied that this is his most challenging moment of the job to date: "We are so energised and are really looking forward to the game. It is a big match and big opportunity. We love these kind of matches at the Emirates."

• He hopes his side continue to "play with dominance and belief" because their "belief, energy and commitment is needed in a big match like this."

• He said Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri "are first team players" who have proven themselves to be in contention for Premier League games.

• On trying to keep team news leaks to a minimum: "It is our job to protect it as much as possible because you don’t want to give it away."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Full commentary of Arsenal v Liverpool from 16:30 GMT on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta is out on the grass facilitating his squad's training session ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool.

Bukayo Saka, who has missed the last two games, is not present and neither is Riccardo Calafiori or Jurrien Timber.

In better news for the Gunners, Ben White is present.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal take on Liverpool on Sunday in one of the biggest matches of the season.

The game comes at a bad time for the Gunners as they are dealing with a number of issues to key players.

Riccardo Calafiori limped off in the game against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and is another of the issues that Mikel Arteta will have to deal with.

Arsenal are already without William Saliba, who will miss the game through suspension after being sent off against Bournemouth. And Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are all injured.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is available but has only played 10 minutes of Premier League football and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly was brought on ahead of him at left-back in midweek.

The prospect of Zinchenko coming in to face Mohamed Salah is a daunting one.

Jakub Kiwior could come in and Ben White could play centre-back next to Gabriel, but having such an unsettled backline could be problematic against Liverpool, who are top of the table under Arne Slot.

Arteta will provide fitness updates on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard at his lunchtime news conference, but the prospect of having five potential starters ruled out for the game is far from ideal.

Come back to this page later for all the key lines from Arteta.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, PA Media

James King is set to join Arsenal as their director of football operations.

King previously worked at the club but left to join the Professional Footballers' Association as their general counsel.

The role he is coming back to at the club is the position left vacant by Richard Garlick, who became Arsenal's managing director when CEO Vinai Venkatesham left the role at the end of last season.

Garlick joined Arsenal in 2021 from the Premier League, where he had been director of football.

Arsenal and Liverpool are still keen on a potential transfer move for 19-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler, as the Turkey international continues to struggle for playing time this season. (Caught Offside), external

The Gunners could join the race to sign Sporting and Sweden striker Victor Gyokeres, 26. (GiveMeSport), external

Meanwhile, Arsenal target Alexander Isak is keen to sign a new long-term deal at Newcastle United beyond 2028. Chelsea are also interested in the 25-year-old Sweden forward. (i Sport), external

Besiktas are keen on the possibility of taking Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on loan, with Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester United also interested in the 27-year-old England international. (Fotomac in Turkish), external

Arsenal are also considering a move for 24-year-old Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, having previously tried to sign the Serb in 2022. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column