Chris Sutton has named the team he thinks will pick up a ‘huge win’ when Arsenal face Liverpool

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal face Liverpool this weekend in what is historically one of English football’s biggest games.

From the famous Michael Thomas goal in 1989 to the FA Cup final in 2001, these two sides have had some serious battles over the years.

This rivalry laid somewhat dormant in recent times as Liverpool and Arsenal have had contrasting fortunes in the late 2010s.

However, now, these two are both bona fide title contenders who will be desperate to get three points this weekend.

As ever, a game between two top sides is hard to call, but writing in his column for the BBC, Chris Sutton has had a go at guessing how this one will go

Chris Sutton tips Liverpool to beat Arsenal

Sutton claimed that Liverpool will beat Arsenal 2-1 at the weekend.

The pundit stated that he thinks Arsenal were very flat in the Champions League in midweek, and he has concerns about their defence without William Saliba.

Sutton has also expressed worry about Riccardo Calafiori’s injury recently.

“So I am basing this prediction on a combination of what I saw against Shakhtar -because Arsenal were really flat all round – all their injury doubts and Saliba’s absence,” Sutton said.

“If Saliba was playing, I wouldn’t be predicting a Liverpool win, but if Calafiori and Timber are not fit I don’t feel Arsenal have adequate cover.

“This would be a huge win for Liverpool, and everyone is saying that, with the run of tough games they have coming up, we will find out more about them soon.

“But they have beaten Chelsea and have enough nous and knowledge in their team to keep their good run going.

“I know everyone reading this will go for a 1-1 draw, but I don’t like to sit on the fence for big games like this, and neither should you.”

Arsenal’s record without William Saliba

William Saliba is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s most important players, and the Gunners’ league record with and without the Frenchman in recent years just goes to show how important he is.

Saliba played every single league game for Arsenal last season, which is why the Gunners were able to amass 89 points on their way to a second-place finish.

However, the season prior, Saliba missed the final 11 games of the season due to a back injury, and, as you can see, their record suffered.

Arsenal’s win record without Saliba drops to below 50%, and that is a frightening difference compared to their record with the Frenchman, which has been almost impeccable at times.

This will be the first time in 18 months that Arsenal will lineup in a league game without Saliba, and, as Sutton says, that could make all of the difference.

Liverpool have a great chance of making a real statement in the title race on Sunday.