Arsenal vs Liverpool FA Cup preview: Gunners host Reds in a mouthwatering third round clash – stream FREE, TV, team news

ARSENAL welcome Liverpool to north London for a heavyweight FA Cup third round clash – and they’ll be eager to make the end of 2023 a distant memory.

The Gunners have completely capitulated from when they were top of the tree at Christmas with just one win in their last six games.

Arsenal had a poor ending to 2023 and slipped from first down to fourth in the leagueRex

PAMohamed Salah’s double inspired Liverpool to a 4-2 win against Newcastle and sent The Reds top of the table[/caption]

Mikel Arteta’s men suffered two consecutive London derby defeats to West Ham and Fulham which has now seen them plummet down to fourth in the Premier League table.

While their opponents Liverpool capitalised by beating Newcastle and replacing Arsenal at the summit.

But this weekend’s match is all about the FA Cup – a competition that no other side has lifted more than the Gunners.

Furthermore, Arsenal went on to win the iconic tournament when the sides were last paired against each other in 2014.

But it won’t be as simple as looking back on history to see themselves through to the next round.

Liverpool are a team in form who will be heading into the fixture full of confidence and present Arteta’s men with a tough challenge.

The two sides put on a show when they met in the league last month and played out a high quality 1-1 draw at Anfield.

And they may even be scoping each other out once more as they’re due to face off once again in the league in less than a months time.

Arsenal will welcome the fresh start of the new year coming alongside a break away from Premier League action.

Their dismal form in the league needs refreshing and there be a few changes in Arteta’s lineup with their attacking force looking lacklustre in recent weeks.

While Liverpool will be without their star man Mohamed Salah who has been called up to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Last month’s meeting proved a nervy affair for fans of both sides while neutrals were treated to a fast paced affair with drama at both ends.

Add in the magic of the FA Cup and Sunday’s game could be an all-timer when it comes to third round ties.

What is their form like?

Arsenal have picked up just FOUR points from the last 15 available to them.

Back to back losses to Fulham and West Ham have taken the wind out of the sails of the Gunners who looked to be leading the pack when it comes to this season’s title race.

Liverpool seem to have seen the sinking ship at the Emirates and sailed on past it.

The Reds are in fine form with no defeats in their last 15 domestic games and they’ll be hoping they can keep that up in the capital.

Although they’ve struggled against some of the other big teams this season with draws against Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, as well as a loss to Spurs all coming in the league.

But with this weekend’s clash takes place in the cup it could see both teams break free of any weight of expectation on their shoulders in the league.

What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?

Mikel Arteta is set to lose Takehiro Tomiyasu once again despite the defender just returning from a calf injury.

Tomiyasu will be joining up with Japan for the Asia Cup, while Mohamed Elneney is also on international duty but with Egypt for AFCON.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Thomas Partey (groin), Jurrien Timber (knee) and Fabio Vieira (groin) are all likely to be unavailable too.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp has received two huge blows as Mohamed Salah will be joining Elneny with Egypt and Wataru Endo is participating in the Asian Cup along with Tomiyasu.

ReutersSalah will miss the FA Cup clash against Arsenal[/caption]

Dominik Szoboszlai is also a major doubt having left the field early against Newcastle holding his hamstring.

While Thiago (hip), Stefan Bajecetic (abductor), Andy Robertson (shoulder), Kostas Tsmikias (shoulder) and Joel Matip (knee) will also miss the trip to the Emirates.

Who will be the star men?

Arsenal’s front line has failed to impress in recent weeks with the stars they normally rely on looking tired and lethargic.

There’s one man who has consistently performed for the north London outfit this season and he will have to do so again this weekend should Arsenal want to progress to the next round.

Declan Rice has shown that he can play at the top level week in week out and is likely to be crucial to how Arteta’s side play on Sunday.

Liverpool are without Mohamed Salah as he jets off to the AFCON and will have to find a spark from somewhere else.

Darwin Nunez has been causing all sorts of chaos for Klopp’s side this season, but just needs to start finding the back of the net consistently.

Away from the harsh lights of the Premier League, this weekend’s FA Cup clash could give him the freedom to gain some confidence in front of goal.

What have the managers said?

Jurgen Klopp has been full of praise for the team that Mikel Arteta has built since arriving at the Emirates in 2019.

Speaking earlier in the season, he said: “Mikel has built exactly the team he wanted and they are difficult to play.

“They are a good mix between physicality, like big, strong players, fast, good technique, very good organisation, they are really well-coached, well-drilled.

“You can see every year they make another step.”

While Arteta will be hoping his side can play the same way they did during the 1-1 draw at Anfield last month.

The Gunners boss said after the clash: “It was an unbelievable game of football, one of the most intense and hectic games that I have witnessed in 20 years in the Premier League.

“The quality, the intentions of both teams… It was superb to watch it and we as a team with the boys willing to play at that level, to have the courage to play at that level, the determination and belief to do what we’ve done here, I think my players deserve big, big credit.”

SunSport prediction

It’s hard to know how both managers will approach this game with one eye on keeping their squads fit for the league campaign.

You can be certain that neither Klopp or Arteta would have wanted to face such a big team in the early stages of the cup.

But it doesn’t mean they don’t want to go out there and put on a show to try and progress to the next round.

The Emirates faithful will be hoping to see their out of form team bounce back and it could help ignite something in the players.

But Liverpool look fantastic at the moment and won’t roll over to the crowd in the capital.

Prediction: Arsenal 1 – 2 Liverpool

When is Arsenal vs Liverpool?

Arsenal’s huge FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool will take place on Sunday, January 7.

It is scheduled to get underway at 4:30pm GMT.

Emirates Stadium is the allocated arena for this thrilling match and it can host approximately 60,704 fans.

It was all square when the two English giants met in a Premier League contest last month.

What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

Arsenal vs Liverpool will be broadcast LIVE on BBC One in the UK.

Coverage is expected to get underway at 4pm GMT – 30 minutes before kick-off.

Fans can also head to BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sports website to stream the entire action.

Alternatively, follow SunSport’s live blog for minute-by-minute coverage of the whole match.

Can I watch it for FREE?

YES!

Arsenal’s FA Cup match against Liverpool can be watched for FREE as long as you have a valid TV license in the UK.

What are the latest odds?

Arsenal to win 19/20

Draw 14/5

Liverpool to win 23/10

*Odds courtesy of Paddy Power are correct at time of publication