Arsenal Prepare for Crucial Match at Anfield

Arsenal head to Anfield on Sunday with scars still fresh from a midweek penalty exit at Fleetwood Town, and with the kind of assignment that can either jolt a season into life or expose every flaw under the harshest of lights.

Mikel Arteta is expected to respond with something familiar: his trusted 4-2-3-1, reshaped and re-energised after the cup disappointment, but with a few intriguing tweaks.

Raya Returns, Konsa Steps In

In goal, David Raya comes back in after his midweek rest, tasked with handling not just Liverpool’s forwards but the noise, the chaos and the relentlessness that Anfield specialises in. This is the type of game he was brought in for.

In front of him, Gabriel is set to marshal the defence, joined by Ezri Konsa at centre-back. Konsa, still bedding into life at Arsenal, now faces one of the most unforgiving tests English football can offer. The pair will need to be aggressive and decisive, cutting out danger early before Liverpool’s attack can build any rhythm.

Out wide, Ben White will line up at right-back, his blend of composure and bite vital against Liverpool’s rotations down that flank. On the opposite side, Riccardo Calafiori is expected to start at left-back, provided he clears a late fitness test. If he makes it, his timing on when to surge forward and when to hold his position will be crucial. Over-commit once at Anfield, and you rarely get a second warning.

Cristhian Mosquera offers cover at centre-back from the bench, a safety net should Arteta need fresh legs or a different profile late on.

Rice and Bruno at the Core

In midfield, the engine room looks formidable on paper. Declan Rice, though a slight concern going into the game, is expected to anchor the side alongside Bruno Guimaraes. Together, they give Arsenal bite and brains in the middle, responsible for winning duels, breaking Liverpool’s press and setting the tempo when the ball turns over.

Just ahead of them, the creative burden falls on Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke, though Madueke is also a doubt. If he features, his direct running and one‑v‑one ability could be a major outlet on the break. Odegaard, the captain and conductor, will drift into pockets, trying to pierce Liverpool’s lines with those disguised passes between centre-back and full-back. Eze brings unpredictability, the kind of player who can tilt a tight game with a single touch or feint.

Waiting in reserve, Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Mikel Merino give Arteta options to alter the midfield dynamic. Control, energy, physicality – he can dial up any of them from the bench if the contest starts to swing away from his side.

Havertz Leads the Line

Up front, Kai Havertz is set to lead the line. This is not a night for drifting on the periphery. Arsenal need him to be sharp in the box, aggressive in his movement, and ruthless when chances come – because at Anfield, they may not come often.

Viktor Gyokeres, likely among the substitutes, offers a very different threat if called upon. If Arsenal are chasing the game in the final quarter, his power and penalty-box presence could turn the final minutes into a siege.

Arsenal arrive wounded but not broken. The cup exit has raised questions; Anfield will provide answers.