Happy New Year to all Holics everywhere, wishing you health, happiness and silverware in 2026. This year has begun rather well for the boys in red and white who, at the time of writing, sit 6 points clear at the top of the table thanks to the last minute equaliser that a joke football club managed to squeeze over the line at the Emptihad to take two points off our major title rivals. A further New Year bonus was another last minute goal from Fulham who deservedly snatched two points from the grasp of the team that most pundits viewed as our main rivals pre-season. Only Villa kept pace with us last weekend as we continue to stride forward, brushing aside the obstacles of clusters of injuries and hostile officials. Before this match kicks off, the Manc Creative Accountants will very probably have picked up a routine 3 points at home against Brighton so we must win this game to preserve that healthy 6 point gap.
In truth, nearly every game so far this season has felt like a ‘must win’ game but this match against the current League Champions feels one of the most deserving of that label. Moreover, as has often been the case over many years, this match is a pretty reliable barometer of our title credentials. Last season, the Scousers achieved a second league title in five years in part due to the derailing of Arsenal’s challenge through an epidemic of serious injuries combined with multiple interventions by PGMO apparatchiks inflicting bizarre, never to be repeated elsewhere, sanctions against Arsenal players which directly impacted our points total. With their main challengers handicapped, the Scousers, in contrast, benefitted from many generous decisions and Salah won them the title with an astonishing goalscoring rate.
Last season, Slott made only minor tactical tweaks to Klopp’s team and after some early issues that affected performances rather than results, the second half of the season saw them function as a pretty smooth outfit. This season has been different. Slott decided to build his own team this summer. TAA and Luis Diaz chose to leave along with Nunez, Quansah, Tsimikas, Kelleher and Elliot while they also suffered a tragic loss with the death of Jota. Liverpool then spent £450m, predominantly on the three most expensive transfers of the summer in Isaak (£125m), Wirtz (£109m) and Ekitike (£83m). In addition, they bought Frimpong (£29.5m) to replace TAA, Kerkez (£40m) to supplant the aging Robertson and Mamardashvili (£29m) to replace Kelleher. They also added 18 year old defender Leoni (£29m), 20 year old goalkeeper Pecsi (£1.5m), 17 year old striker Wright (£400k) and experienced back-up keeper Woodman (free transfer). Despite this expenditure they have not pushed on this season and the player they really needed, they didn’t get…..Palace declined to part with Guehi on the last day of the window.
Of these signings, only Ekitike has hit the ground running, scoring 11 goals. Liverpool’s early attempts to blend new with old were compounded by the absence of TAA which left them with clunky transitions from deep and poor supply to Salah. The intensity and co-ordination of their press also declined significantly. Frimpong proved to be more right winger than right back and Bradley has retained that position. Kerkez had a nightmare start and, as a result, Robertson has featured more than expected – rumours of a departure to Celtic were put on ice. Szoboszlai, their most creative midfielder, was repurposed as a right back several times, sadly not preventing him scoring a superb free kick to deny us a deserved point at Anfield (N.B. revenge required). Wirtz struggled for several months to adapt to Slott’s system and the demands of the Premiership but in recent games has scored twice and provided assists that suggest that he may have settled. Surprisingly, Isaak also struggled to adapt to Liverpool’s system, looking a shadow of the Magpies’ player, only to break a leg while scoring against the Marshdwellers and he will now miss a chunk of this season.
Some of Klopp’s former players also had a patchy start to the season. Alison remains a top keeper but has missed games due to injury, Konate has looked very vulnerable all season, Van Dyke is showing the effects of age but remains a danger offensively at corners. Robertson cannot play for a full 90 minutes anymore. But Szoboszlai remains a class act and has scored 5 goals this season, Gravenberch has become a very solid holding midfielder, MacAllister provides further midfield muscle plus Argentinian thuggery (who me, ref?), Jones is a willing runner, links play well and bags an occasional goal – while Endo is a willing worker but offers little more. Up front, Salah was a shadow of his former self and clearly has issues with Slott – his absence at the ACN has had less impact than originally anticipated; on the left, Gakpo hasn’t replicated Diaz’s energy or pressing but does have 6 goals this season; Chiesa hasn’t been as good as they’d hoped, has generally joined from the bench, but does have 2 goals to his credit; the young striker, Ngumoha occasionally joins from the bench and has one goal to his credit.
Although Ekitike didn’t travel with the Liverpool squad to Fulham on Sunday, apparently primarily due to DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness, a reaction to intense exercise that settles in 72 hours) though Slott also suggested that an MRI scan might have identified a hamstring issue. Despite Slott’s evasion in his press conference and late social media rumours to the contrary, I confidently expect Ekitike to start against us. Wirtz played false nine gainst Fulham, until he was hooked, with Gakpo to his left and Szoboszlai mainly on his right but with freedom to roam. The midfield base comprised Gravenberch and McAllister with Jones roving ahead of them, linking with the attack. If Ekitike is fit, either Wirtz or Jones will likely drop out against us, probably the latter given the German’s upturn in form. I expect Robertson to start in place of Kerkez due to his greater physicality and defensive reliability, to be replaced by the Hungarian when he runs out of steam. Bradley will certainly start at right back with Frimpong likely to come on later in the game for a midfielder to add pace. Konate and Van Dyke will be in the centre of their defence and remain pretty competent though not as imperious as they once were.
If we play to form, we should beat this Liverpool team, as indeed Fulham should have done, were it not for a bizarre VAR decision on Wirtz’s offside goal. The favours to Liverpool from PGMO continue to accrue as the referee also added an inexplicable 7 minutes then played well beyond that time as if to ensure Liverpool had time to find a winner. Sadly for the Scouse fans in PGMO and the media, Harrison Reed popped up with a worldy to spoil the plan.
The most important consideration for Arsenal is the state of Declan Rice’s knee. Declan was colossal against Bournemouth, as he was when he played at right back against Brighton just a week ago. Hopefully his knee hasn’t blown up again in reaction to Saturday’s bravura performance. His absence against Villa was clearly therapeutic but with ‘must-win’ games coming thick and fast it’s hard to see when he’ll get another rest and, if fit, he’s essential for this match. Mikel also partially rested Saka and Trossard for three quarters of the game against Bournemouth and he subbed an exhausted Ødegaard at 80 minutes to facilitate his readiness for this game.
Unfortunately, Gyökeres hasn’t been as prolific as we would all like but he has contributed significantly to the outcome of several games and his performance against Bournemouth was an improvement on his first few games back from injury. I think Gyökeres will start this game as, while he was outshone by Jesùs in other games recently, that was not the case on Saturday. I hope that the Swedish battering ram will soon surprise his critics. Havertz is clearly not yet ready to start but may make the bench. The rest of the team selects itself. That’s tough on Madueke, Martinelli, Merino, White, Eze, MLS and Nwaneri but that’s the challenge for top players in a top team. Calafiori and Mosquera remain crocked. Thus, I expect:
Raya
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié
Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice
Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard
Liverpool were awful in the first half against Fulham and didn’t have a shot on target. Although they had a better second half and threatened to steal all three points in added time they didn’t look like a title-winning side. I hope we see that first half Liverpool performance again, but for 90 minutes, and that Arsenal dominate and control the game and win 2-0. Ekitike is their major threat and the only opposition player that I would add to our squad but on form, Saliba and Gabriel should be able to neutralise him. I believe that we are the stronger team and have better players in every other position. Earlier this week, Adrian Clarke predicted that Slott is very likely to set up his team defensively to kill the game to frustrate us as he did at Anfield. I think he’s right. However, if we can make an early breakthrough, it’s a great opportunity to show our quality and strength in depth and I expect us to win this game convincingly.
In his pre-match press conference Mikel asserted that we have a point to prove and urged the fans to raise the roof and lift the whole team throughout the match. “The level of energy, commitment, confidence, desire that we can show in every action is transmitted by them, and we need them tomorrow in every ball.” The club have prepared a prematch firework display and are unveiling a prematch tifo. Fans attending the game are encouraged to get into their seats 20 minutes before kick-off and get behind the team throughout the game. Get in there early, chaps and make as much noise as you can!
Go win, Gunners!
Enjoy the game, Holics, near and far.
COYG
What a mouthwatering preview Bath ! When I saw we were being asked to play on a January Thursday evening I was a bit nonplussed and it kicks off an intense January programme .
It will be a barometer of our quality . Last week’s test against Villa went very well and we can hopefully produce another performance of real quality
I like your suggested team . I’m sure Havertz will play some part and I expect us to win 2-1. I also think C115y will struggle defensively against Brighton tonight
Excellent preview, Bath, on yet one more ‘must win’ game as they all will be as the Arsenal wind their way along the challenging road to the League title. The Dippers look to me to be there for the taking and I hope to see the Arteta’s men hit 100% commitment from the very first peep of the whistle. Your team is the one I’d pick but I wonder if Timber might get a breather with White deputising. I continue to hope to see the rarely spotted Kai Havertz make an appearance at some stage but in his absence, I’m hoping that Victor will finally shine brightly.
COAGIYG. Nice one Bath.
Cheer baff. I expect the same line-up as you do. Which probably means Arteta will spring up a surprise….unless, of course, injury strikes again.
So, despite Rice not featuring at right-back this time, can we expect a wonder free-kick from him to exact that revenge?
Either way, I weirdly expect an easier win, but it’s rarely happened against them, so any scrappy one will do.
Comedy Club was cancelled due to the weather in Paris tonight, but maybe we’re all be laughing tomorrow.
Excellent preview, Bath. I think your team is spot on and I expect to see another attack-heavy bench featuring Martinelli, Madueke, Eze, Jesus and Havertz. That’s some firepower. I can only imagine Nwaneri will be the one to miss out. I’m looking forward to it and will be in my place in time to see the tifo display this time. We owe them one, and with a mixture of injuries, their best player away and loss of form from some of their formerly more reliable players, this might well be the night it comes to pass.
COYG
Absolutely top-notch preview, Bath.
I expect a tough game, because Liverpool usually is a tough opponent. Yet we should have enough to land a win. Your team looks likely, and I would happily take your 2-0.
The maths remains daunting. Eighteen games to go; 16 wins and a draw needed. “Must-win’ is indeed the watchword.
RIP Martin Chivers.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0r4q22pe4lo
Thanks Bath – comprehensive and positive !
I think that has to be the starting eleven. Hopefully Gyokeres will enjoy a tussle with the old and creaking van Dyke ! If you want to win the Premier League I can’t imagine which fixture(s) you would not describe as “must win”. This is such a hard league to win and the sheikhs of Abbly Dabbly (BtM) are reportedly looking to carry on spending as they have incurred a couple of serious injuries. Hopefully that will land them in even more hot PSR water.
Any win will do. My nerves are not enjoying this season so far, but they’ll be happy enough if we emerge with three points.
Come on you Rreedddsss !
Trev@8: Unfortunately, City are in pretty good PSR shape these days. In the summer, Swiss Ramble estimated that they had around a £350 million spending cushion. Getting your snout in the trough is what takes the creative accounting; once in, you just keep feeding.
Excellent stuff Baff. I think your team is right, and I hope yoir prediction is too.
City (and Villa) drew tonight, so a win would take us 8 points clear. Let us hope we take the chance.
A couple of days ago I wanted to say something about Sesko, but as I also wanted to say something about Arsenal, I did that instead.
Tonight, he’s scored 2 goals, but the following isn’t really based on that, it’s stuff I’ve been thinking since the summer. Now feel I’ve waited long enough into this season and seen enough of him (and the bloke we bought instead) to share some thoughts.
I was very keen on us buying Sesko this summer, and having watched a bit more of a woeful Manure side in the last month than in the first half of the season, I’ve seen so much from him to make me feel gutted we didn’t get the deal done. I dunno how he feels about being a Manure player right now, and maybe he, his agents and advisors, and his former club are all happy with how things turned out. But maybe he looks at us and wishes he’d worked out sooner that we were the club to do whatever it took to join.
Ultimately we signed the player who did exactly that. And fair play to Gyokeres. He is such a determined guy and that’s a quality that I think is gonna shine through during his Arsenal career.
Anyhoo, I think Sesko looks like a perfect fit for what our team needs from a striker. He’s great in the air, holds the ball up, is freakishly fast and strong, can run the channels, run in behind, turn defenders, attack and defend corners, leather the ball with both feet, shoot from distance, drop into midfield, link the play and find space in the box. And that’s all based on watching him in indifferent (but improving) form in a disjointed Utd side. Imagine what he’d be like for us. He can do everything, and his positioning and style look like a great fit for our team. If I could sign one player for our club right now (bearing in mind we don’t really need anyone to strengthen us for this season) then it would be Sesko. He’s the best striker talent on the market and would seriously improve under Arteta. Not that Darren Fletcher doesn’t have qualities of his own. As Sesko will have the pleasure of discovering.
I saw some stats recently saying we’d done well with Gyokeres in the team, and I’m not here to knock the Swede. But I find it hard to believe we would not have done at least as well if we’d been fronted by the first choice striker of at least 15 other PL teams. We are good with him leading the line in major part because the 10 other blokes on the pitch are really good. If we went for him as a ‘win now’ guy, over the promise of Sesko, then I’m not convinced it was a good call. The way the league has gone, I think we’d have won anyway with Sesko up top (although to be fair that was not clear when the decision was made). And we wouldn’t still have a squad space for a top striker. Everyone was clamouring for a better first choice than Havertz, but when the German is back and fully fit, who are you starting in the CL Final? For me, it ain’t Gyokeres. Not even close. Havertz is still our best striker.
As it turns out, Ekitike would probably have been a better signing too (and a deal we seemed strangely distant from given Berta’s usual style) although I’d still have preferred the Serb, who I still think is gonna be one of the best strikers in the world, but not one who will ever play for us.
Of course, if we win the PL as I expect we will then it doesn’t really matter this season. And it makes sense the club went for the guy they thought would most help us to do that. It also makes sense that they refused to be held to ransome for Sesko. I guess I’m just gutted that he didn’t sense the way the wind was blowing and make it clear he only wanted us. If he’d wanted to sign for us then he could have made it happen. Maybe that’s his weak link – his mindset. Maybe he belongs at a club who aren’t truly at the top table and won’t push to win major honours whilst he plays for them. Maybe Manure is the perfect fit after all.
But I’ll still feel better if Big Vik bullies Van Dyke and smashes home a hat trick tomorrow. Or just generally has a better second half of the season and knocks in ten more goals in all comps. That would be fine too.
nice one, baff. i’m all for a reprise of the 3-2 win with saka scoring another penalty into the north bank, a reprise from october, 2022.
and on a different note, on january 4th we passed (seemingly unnoticed) our 6th anniversary of ghf.com. congratulations to all the authors, administrators, and commenters who make up this sane little corner of the goonerverse! i’d like to hope that dave is somewhere up there happy with our efforts to keep the spirit of the old holicbar alive…
GSD@11: Others in the bar may be able to call on sharper memories, but my recollection is that Sesko was Arteta’s first choice in 2024 and we had agreed to meet his release clause two summers ago. There was an understanding between all the parties that he would join us, but he then turned around and extended his contract at Leipzig instead, because Arteta wouldn’t guarantee that he would be the regular starter ahead of Kai Havertz. I am guessing that Arteta would consider that a disqualifying character flaw. My further understanding is that while discussions were re-engaged over the course of last season, Sesko’s camp made it clear that the player would be happy going to the highest bidder, which would have made any character doubts Arteta had irredeemable.
Scruz@12. Well spotted. That seems to be occasion for A. A Milne’s poem, Now We Are Six.
When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five,
I was just alive.
But now I am Six,
I’m as clever as clever,
So I think I’ll be six now for ever and ever.
Thanks Bath, an excellent preview as ever and the
the XI looks about right too.
I can’t believe Liverpool won’t be up for this one and
it could be a tough game – I’m with scruz in wanting
another thrilling 3-2 win!
Anyway, as it’s a big chance to stick another boot in C130y’s
ribcage tonight any win will do.
RIP Martin Chivers, and also best of luck to Kevin Keegan
with his treatment. Stars of the 70s.
Of course as we are six now I don’t mind winning 6-0 either.
Anyway, what scruz said about The Guvnor.
Barkeep I will have double of whatever it is OM is drinking, and put me down for 12-0 to the Arsenal. Although in reality 1-0 times the Arsenal would actually have me on the moon.
Thanks Bath
Revenge is on the table and the opportunity to move further ahead of the pack is tantalising.
3-1 will do nicely.
UTA
A wake up and smell the coffee moment for Thomas Frank
Ned @13. That all looks right to me.
Certainly, a big strength of Gyokeres is his attitude and desire.
Ned @ 6 : ‘The maths remains daunting. Eighteen games to go; 16 wins and a draw needed. “Must-win’ is indeed the watchword.’?
Trust me, City won’t win all their remaining games 😉
I know you wrote that before they drew again though. I think this has been downgraded to ‘must win’ to ‘draw is not the end of the world’, but hopefully, City’s draw won’t have changed the player’s winning mindset, now that is a must.
Ned @ 20, that really made me laugh. Good job, agent Frank.
(well, whoever gave him the Cup did a brilliant job anyway). A very nice evening that was!
Morning All.
Dino@11- I’m 100% in agreement. I was lucky enough to be in Lisbon for our hammering of them in November 2024 and thought Gyokeres was a bull in a china shop with no finesse. I have seen nothing to disabuse me of that notion. At the same time, Ned@13 is right about the Sesko character flaws. I’m sure I read somewhere that he wanted a release clause inserted in the contract to sign for Arsenal. I don’t like the idea of using our club as a stepping stone and I’m sure Arteta didn’t, if true.
Scruz@12- quite a thought. I’d like to say thanks to all who do so much to make this place an oasis of sanity in a desert of online lunacy.
Ned@14 – an aficionado of A.A. Milne – who knew! A most apposite poem though.
Some fantastic results last night. Brentford 5th? A penny for your thoughts, Thomas Frank! Even if, along with Sunderland and Forest they are wrecking my Predictathon entry.
A draw tonight is certainly not a bad result. A win however is a real statement, and would mean we will have played home and away against 2 out of 3 of the rest of the top 4 with a little under half a season to go. Digits firmly crossed.
Thanks for the kind words, fellas.
Brilliantly analysed and argued GSD@11, I share your envy but I think Ned @11 has summed up the reason we turned away. I hope that this week was a flash in the pan and that he struggles like all their recent strikers have done.
Scruz @12, well spotted sir. It completely escaped me. Nicely marked, Ned @14. Happy anniversary everyone and thanks for all your labours to keep the show on the road. I know that Dave would be chuffed with your work.
Ollie@22: It’s down to 15 wins and two draws now (written pre-Liverpool game).
Reports say it was someone at Bournemouth who handed Frank the cup of coffee when he was there yesterday. We had left the paper cups behind after our game at the weekend. I have no idea whether the incident was accidental or intentional, but it was handy that there was a photographer around.
CER@23: If you are right about Sesko wanting a release cause, that would definitely have been a black mark against him for Arteta.
Bath@24: You should include yourself in your penultimate sentence.
And now it’s RIP Terry Yorath. A sombre start to the year.
Cheers MathsNed.
And indeed, the fact that a photographer snapped this was indeed handy (the fact the Arsenal logo was actually perfectly positioned, now that I can believe is a coincidence).
Or maybe it was all self-sabotaging, one week after Amorim’s spectacular press conference.
And what you said about bath, big time!
Excellently analyzed and thorough preview Bath! Thank you.
It feels like we haven’t won against them in a few seasons now, and suffered a few somewhat unfair results given how the games were played. If we play the best football we are capable of, inspired further by the home support, we should be able to extend the gap on the top of the table.
‘Pool may not be getting the results consistently and may have injuries (and so do we), but their likely starting eleven would still have a few world class talents, and they tend to up their game away at bigger clubs. Maybe they would choose to be tactically cautious and measured, and we will need to take the initiative early on. They may also want to catch us unprepared in the early stages and play a high pressing aggressive game looking for turnovers and fast transitions. In recent weeks we tended to have started a bit slow, and must avoid that.
I agree with your team. If Calafiori were fit this would have been an ideal match for his brand of organized chaos. Saka has been a bit below his best in the recent weeks, hopefully we will see him at full flow today.
About Gyökeres, I completely agree with what Rice said in his interview about Viktor’s role and overall contribution, while like everyone else hoping that we will see those numbers that he is primarily judged by would improve soon as well.
It would be great if we can repeat the kind of controlled dominance with an assured composure on and off the ball that we had demonstrated against Bayern. As Mikel mentioned in his pre-match press conference, the home support has a crucial role to play as well.
Looking forward to an assured 2-0 home win.
Come on Arsenal!
Thanks Bath for an excellent and thoughtful preview. Your team suggestion se3ms spot on and we will have a strong bench to call upon when required – an unusual luxury when playing the bin-dippers ( no makeshift defence this time round ). Conversely ‘Pool are a little depleted for this match but the team they put out will still be immensely strong, we will need to be “at it” straight from kick off.
Revenge from our early defeat up there early in the season will bring great delight and more importantly open up an even bigger gap to the chasing pack. Hopefully the bad weather this evening will not affect the outcome.
Finally thanks go to all you who contribute to making this blog one of outstanding quality and good spirit – Dave will be proud.
COYRRR
so ’twas ‘gainst liverpoo 3 years ago wen ‘Teta had us playing like contemporary PSG, wen we woz 2 nish up & i thought ‘we can win this’ – then Xhaka pushed over trent-derby-day, they got riled & we drew 2 each. After that the wheels fell orfff & them k*ntZ won the league B4 we did … Tonite – REVENGE-isH ??!? UTA-AAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!
The line-up was right, the correct winning score and performance from the preview would be nice too.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Lewis-Skelly, White, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus.
Raya
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie
Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard
Saka, Trossard
Gyokeres
Bench: Arrizabalaga, White, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Merino, Lewis-Skelly
It’s all to play for in the second half but we need a tweak or two to breach their block.
We need to move up a couple of gears.
Hoped we could somehow nick it at the end there but have to take
the point and move on
I am going to rewrite history and say that this was a Must Not Lose game, and we didn’t lose it. Yet Big Gabbi was so close to winning it with the last touch of the game. Fine margins, and all that, although I will admit to relief when the added time was announced to be for only four minutes. The Scousers got themselves sorted out in the second half, and we couldn’t wrest back control. We should have got the ball in the net when we were in control in the first half, though. That’s two games this season where we’ve failed to score against them.
Yeah, agree Ned. Still 6 points in front so not the end of the world or anything.
OM@36: It will only be the end of the world in the anti-Arsenal universe.
And because it is all go: the Matchweek 21 leaderboard for the GHF Predictathon has been posted. Only three players improved their scores. You know where to look to find out if you were one of them…
@37 yeah, without looking I am guessing it will all be Arteta’s fault. It is odd that we can’t score against them this season, their défence has been very shaky in several of the games I’ve watched.
Thanks for the quick update on the predictathon, the north east have combined to get me the equivalent of a 0-0 draw!
It was a very flat performance particularly in the second half. Hard to apportion specific blame but Gyokeres touched the ball seven times in 65 minutes . He didn’t commit any fouls or affect the game in any way . I’m profoundly unimpressed . He is nowhere good enough to be in a title- winning side
>>>>>>>