Arsenal vs Liverpool: Title rivals collide in Emirates blockbuster

League leaders Arsenal will host defending champions Liverpool in a mouth-watering Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

With the title race heating up, Mikel Arteta’s side will be eager to protect their six-point cushion at the top of the table, while Liverpool arrive in north London searching for momentum after an inconsistent run of form.

Arsenal

Since their narrow 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa in early December, Arsenal have responded emphatically, winning their last five league matches. In that run, the Gunners have scored 12 goals and conceded just five, underlining their growing authority in the title race.

They exacted swift revenge on Villa with a dominant 4–1 victory at the Emirates, courtesy of goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus. The emphatic win came on a bitterly cold London night that even disrupted Unai Emery’s customary post-match handshake.

Last weekend, Arsenal showed grit and character away at Bournemouth, edging Andoni Iraola’s side 3–2 at the Vitality Stadium. Gabriel cancelled out Evanilson’s opener before Declan Rice struck twice to put the visitors firmly in control. Teenage forward Eli Junior Kroupi pulled one back late on, but Arsenal held on to secure their first win of the new year and tighten their grip on top spot.

Liverpool

Liverpool remain unbeaten in nine matches but are still striving to rediscover the fluency and intensity that powered them to the title last season. A run of four consecutive wins across all competitions was halted by successive league draws against Leeds United and Fulham.

At Craven Cottage, Fulham struck first through former Liverpool academy graduate Harry Wilson. The Reds responded via Florian Wirtz, who netted just his second goal since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen. Arne Slot thought his side had sealed victory when Cody Gakpo scored deep into stoppage time, finishing off a superb cross from Jeremie Frimpong.

Read Also: Liverpool restore seven points lead over Arsenal after 2-1 win vs Wolves

But Liverpool’s celebrations were short-lived, as Harrison Reed produced a stunning late equaliser—his first goal in nearly three years—to deny the champions all three points.

Head-to-Head

The rivalry between Arsenal and Liverpool remains finely balanced. The two sides have met 236 times in all competitions, with Liverpool holding a slender advantage: 90 wins to Arsenal’s 81, alongside 60 draws.

Arsenal have lost just once in their last seven league meetings with the Reds, a 1–0 defeat at Anfield earlier this season. That contest was settled late on by a spectacular long-range free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, preserving Liverpool’s strong start under Slot.

Thursday night’s clash promises intensity, quality, and potentially decisive implications in the Premier League title race.

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