Arsenal go into Sunday’s game against Liverpool knowing a win will keep them top of the Premier League for at least another week. It’s quite the turnaround for Mikel Arteta’s side, who at one point last season were rock bottom of the table.
Following last weekend’s 3-1 North London Derby win over Tottenham, the clash against Liverpool presents another chance for Arteta’s men to test themselves against elite opposition. Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah are just some of the world class talent at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.
Virgil van Dijk and Roberto Firmino are two other players who have had highly successful Liverpool careers. Van Dijk helped transform the Reds into the dominant force they are today following his £75 million move from Southampton in January 2018, and has been described as the best defender in the world.
Whereas Firmino joined the Merseysiders in 2015 from Hoffenheim and has scored 103 goals in all competitions. Although not an out-and-out goalscorer, the Brazilian often brings the best out of others and this is perhaps evidenced by the success of Salah and now Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane.
Arsenal have perhaps not boasted a centre-back and striker of the calibre of van Dijk and Firmino for a number of years. This, arguably, changed in the summer.
William Saliba returned to north London after learning his trade on loan at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille. The 21-year-old was always seen as one for the future but Arteta and Edu’s decision to loan the player out has paid dividends, with the French international earning plenty of plaudits for his performances this term.
At the other end of the pitch, Gabriel Jesus has had a huge impact on the Gunners since his arrival from Manchester City. The 25-year-old has five goals and three assists in nine games in an Arsenal shirt, and his all-round game has helped take Arsenal to the next level, according to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
“I’ve been so impressed with them at the start of the season,” Carragher said. “The pace they play at, the football they play. The two signings, well Saliba has just come back, but him and Jesus have just completely taken this Arsenal side to a new level.”
Saliba and Jesus’ influence on this Arsenal team is clear, and the pair will go head-to-head with van Dijk, Firmino and the rest of Klopp’s side on Sunday. Who comes out on top remains to be seen.
