The End of an Era? Why Liverpool’s Collapse at The Emirates Could Hand Arsenal the Title

January 8, 2026 dailydejavu

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LONDON — In the ruthless ecosystem of the English Premier League, fortunes can change with the wind. Twelve months ago, Liverpool were the unstoppable force, marching towards a title that would eventually break Arsenal hearts. Today, as we approach this colossal Thursday night fixture under the floodlights of North London, the roles have been dramatically reversed.

The Emirates Stadium, once a place of nervous energy, has transformed into a fortress of invincibility. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal sit atop the Premier League summit, looking down not just at Manchester City, but at a Liverpool side that—despite wearing the crown of defending champions—looks a shadow of its former self.

This is not just a football match; it is a coronation of a new order versus a desperate fight for relevance. Can the “Red Machine” of Arne Slot find one last spark to ignite their season, or will the Gunners finally bury the ghosts of the past and prove they are the new Kings of England?

At Daily Dejavu, we dissect every angle of this mouth-watering encounter.

Table of Contents

Part I: The Rise of the Red & White Juggernaut

To understand the magnitude of this game, one must appreciate the evolution of this Arsenal side. Finishing second for three consecutive seasons is enough to break the spirit of lesser teams. It creates a complex of “nearly men.” But for Mikel Arteta, it seems to have forged a diamond.

The “Invincible” Home Record The statistics surrounding Arsenal’s home form this season are frankly terrifying for any visiting team.

Played: 10
Won: 9
Goals Scored: 26
Goals Conceded: 5

These numbers tell a story of total dominance. The Emirates is the only ground in the Premier League where an unbeaten record still stands this deep into the season. The defensive partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães has evolved from “promising” to “world-class,” suffocating opponents with a ruthlessness that recalls the days of Tony Adams and Sol Campbell.

But it is not just the defense. The addition of Viktor Gyokeres (as predicted in the lineup) has given Arsenal the physical focal point they lacked in previous campaigns. Combined with the wizardry of Martin Odegaard and the relentless drive of Declan Rice, this team no longer hopes to win; they expect to win.

The 2025/26 Arsenal is a machine built to kill off games. Having lost only once in 21 matches—ironically, a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield back in August—they are playing with a vengeance. That solitary loss remains a scar, one they intend to heal tonight.

Part II: The Collapse of the Champions?

On the other side of the halfway line stands Liverpool. The defending champions. The holders. The team that broke the league last year. Yet, something is rotten in the state of Merseyside.

The “Identity Crisis” under Arne Slot While Arne Slot insists his team can still do “special things,” the table doesn’t lie. Liverpool finds themselves in a peculiar limbo. They are unbeaten in nine games, yes, but too many of those have been stale draws. The heavy metal football has turned into a rusty grind.

The summer transfer window promised a dynasty. The arrival of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz was supposed to make Liverpool unplayable. Instead, it seems to have unsettled the delicate balance of the squad.

Defensive Frailties: Last season, Liverpool conceded 41 goals in total. This season, they have already shipped 28 in just 20 games.
Away Day Blues: The most damming statistic is their away form. Four of their six defeats have come on the road, conceding 18 goals. To put that in perspective, they are defending as poorly away from home as Wolverhampton Wanderers, the team propping up the bottom of the table.

With Mohamed Salah away on international duty (AFCON) and Alexander Isak sidelined with a long-term leg injury, Liverpool arrives in London toothless and vulnerable. They are a champion boxer entering the ring with one hand tied behind their back and a glass jaw.

Part III: Tactical Battlefield – Where the Game Will Be Won

Tonight’s clash will likely be decided in two key areas: The midfield engine room and the transitions.

1. The Midfield Stranglehold

Arsenal’s expected trio of Odegaard, Zubimendi, and Rice offers a perfect blend of creativity, control, and destruction. Martin Zubimendi, sitting deep, allows Declan Rice to roam and harass Liverpool’s ball carriers. In contrast, Liverpool is missing their enforcer, Wataru Endo. While Florian Wirtz is a genius, playing him through a hamstring injury is a massive gamble by Slot. If Arsenal dominates the physical battle in the middle, Liverpool’s backline will be exposed to wave after wave of attacks from Saka and Martinelli (or Trossard).

2. The Salah Void vs. The Saka Surge

The narrative symmetry is cruel for Liverpool. While they are missing their talisman, Mohamed Salah, Arsenal’s “Starboy” Bukayo Saka is in the form of his life. Saka is chasing history tonight. He aims to become the first Arsenal player to score in four consecutive league home games against Liverpool. Without Andy Robertson (or his replacement) getting significant cover, Saka could have a field day isolating the fullback.

Liverpool’s attack, without Salah and Isak, lacks a clear identity. Who scores the goals? Hugo Ekitike is a doubt. This puts immense pressure on the remaining forwards to produce magic against the league’s tightest defense.

Part IV: The Psychological War

Mikel Arteta knows that a win here does two things:

Mathematical: It keeps Manchester City at arm’s length (currently a 6-point gap).
Psychological: It effectively ends Liverpool’s title defense.

For Arne Slot, this is about pride and survival. “It is nine games unbeaten but we have definitely had two draws too many,” Slot admitted in his pre-match presser. He sounds like a man trying to convince himself as much as the fans. The pressure is entirely on Liverpool. Arsenal can afford a draw; Liverpool cannot. And usually, when a team with a leaky defense is forced to chase a game at the Emirates, they get punished.

The “Revenge” Factor We cannot ignore the August fixture. Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Anfield is the only reason Arsenal isn’t sitting on an “Invincibles 2.0” run. Arteta will have used that result in every team talk this week. He will demand not just a win, but a statement.

Part V: Team News & Injury Room

The physio rooms tell a tale of two cities. Arsenal is relatively healthy; Liverpool is decimated.

🔴 Arsenal (The Gunners)

The Good News: The core is intact. Timber, Saliba, and Gabriel are ready.
The Bad News: Youngsters Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera are out. Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt, but with Hincapie available, the left side of the defense remains secure.
The Havertz Question: Kai Havertz was rested against Bournemouth. Will he start? Likely not. The form of Gyokeres makes him undroppable, and Trossard offers more fluidity on the wing. Expect Havertz to be a weapon from the bench.

⚪ Liverpool (The Reds)

The Crisis: No Salah (AFCON). No Isak (Leg Injury). No Endo (Injury).
The Doubts: Hugo Ekitike (Muscle) and Florian Wirtz (Hamstring). If Wirtz plays, he isn’t 100%.
The Consequence: Slot is forced to field a makeshift attack against the best defense in Europe. It is a recipe for disaster.

Part VI: Predicted Starting Lineups

Based on the latest reports and training ground whispers, here is how we expect the tactical boards to look at 8:00 PM tonight.

Arsenal (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: David Raya – The Golden Glove holder, calm and composed.
Defense: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Piero Hincapie.
Midfield: Martin Odegaard (C), Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice.
Attack: Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard.
- Key Bench Options: Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Merino.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker – He will need to be at his absolute best.
Defense: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (C), Kostas Tsimikas.
Midfield: Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones (or Gravenberch).
Attacking Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz (if risked), Luis Díaz.
Striker: Darwin Núñez – Chaos is their only hope.

Part VII: Head-to-Head History & Stats

History suggests goals.

Total Meetings: 246
Liverpool Wins: 95
Arsenal Wins: 81
Draws: 70

Recent Trend: Liverpool is actually unbeaten in their last three against Arsenal (W1 D2). However, stats without context are dangerous. Liverpool’s last win at the Emirates was way back in March 2022. Since then, North London has not been a happy hunting ground for the Merseysiders.

The Warning Sign: Liverpool has kept only one clean sheet in their last seven league games. Against an Arsenal side that has scored 13 goals in their last 7 wins, this statistic screams “Home Win.”

Part VIII: The Daily Dejavu Verdict

Football is a game played on grass, not on paper. But looking at the trajectory of these two giants, it is impossible to look past the home side.

Arsenal is playing with the rhythm of champions. They have the hunger, the squad depth, and the fortress advantage. Liverpool, conversely, looks like a team in transition—caught between the glory of last season and the confusing reality of the present.

Without the counter-attacking pace of Salah or the clinical finishing of Isak, Liverpool lacks the tools to hurt Arsenal’s low block if the Gunners take the lead. We expect Arsenal to control the midfield, isolate Liverpool’s fullbacks, and eventually break down a weary defense.

Prediction: It might be tight for the first 30 minutes, but once Arsenal draws first blood, the floodgates could open. Arsenal 3 – 1 Liverpool

📢 How to Watch

For our global readers, coverage begins at:

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