Fifth take on fourth on Friday evening when Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates stadium. Arsene Wenger’s side will be looking to avenge the 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season. A victory for the Gooners would also put them back into the fourth spot in the league. You can watch Arsenal take on Liverpool live and exclusively on beIN SPORTS Connect. 

Liverpool has been in fine form on the road this season, and have only lost twice away from Anfield in the league to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspurs. Whilst their last four away games have seen Jurgen Klopp’s side score 16 goals and only concede 2, suggesting that this could be a tough ask for Arsenal. 

In injury news, Liverpool will welcome back Emre Can from suspension, however striker Daniel Sturridge and central defender Joel Matip remain fitness doubts. Alberto Moreno is still sidelined by a long-term ankle problem. Summer signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to return to his former club, and Klopp may elect to start the England international as the Reds embark on a tricky run of four games in ten days. 

As for Arsenal, they bounced back from two straight draws in the league with a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle. Mesut Özil’s volley proved to be the difference maker on Saturday, and many Arsenal fans will be hoping the rumours that the German international is looking to commit his long-term future to the gunners might be true. 

Arsenal will be without striker Olivier Giroud for the match, and most likely for the run of festive fixtures after the French international suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-0 Carabao Cup win over London rivals West Ham. Compatriot Francis Coquelin also limped off with an injury but is expected to make a recovery in time for the game. One injury boost for the Gunners will be the return of central defender Shkodran Mustafi who has recovered from a thigh injury.