Arsenal v Liverpool: A season-defining showdown that could signal a Premier League changing of the guard | OneFootball

There were seven minutes remaining on the clock when Dominik Szoboszlai stood motionless over a free-kick in August.

Three short strides and a fabulous hit past David Raya later,Liverpool left their clash with Arsenal at Anfield as victors.

At the time, the clash was billed as a microcosm of Mikel Arteta'sArsenal. The North Londoners had ended three consecutive campaigns as Premier League runners-up, each as painful as the last.

Here, in an early season acid test,Arsenal had fallen on the wrong side of a close margin.

It was a trend that had followed them. Twice, Arteta's side had lost leads down the run-in. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, Manchester City charged down the final straight to overhaulArsenal and be crowned champions.

Last time around, as Pep Guardiola's Mancunian machine faltered,Arsenal were unable to capitalise. Liverpool led from almost start to finish, with Arsenal a distant second.

In May, when the teams met at Anfield, the home crowd displayed a banner mocking the man in the opposition dugout; Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. It was a ridicule Arteta will not have forgotten.

Football changes quickly. Szoboszlai's stunner in August continued a perfect start to the season forLiverpool, the champions super-charged by a record-breaking summer spend.

While far too early to draw conclusions, few would have bet against them defending their title at that time.Liverpool took maximum points from their first five games, but lost the following four. Arsenal, in contrast, have lost just twice all season.

Now, under the lights in North London,Arsenal have the chance to make a statement. In a week where their nearest rivals have dropped points, Arsenal have the opportunity to go eight clear. Liverpool's own defence, if alive at all, is on life support. Defeat at the Emirates would underline its end.

Arsenal have been accused of failing to win the big games, with Arteta facing criticism for his approach. As recently as last month, Paul Scholes slammed the Gunners after their late loss at Aston Villa.

"Until they start winning big games, they’ve got no chance of winning the league," Scholes said toThe Good, The Bad and The Football Podcast.

"They lost toLiverpool; they couldn’t beat Man City at home when they were struggling. Aston Villa are a good team, don’t get me wrong, but Arsenal just can’t win big games. They couldn’t beat Chelsea after they went down to ten men.

"If you’re going to win the league, you’ve got to start winning some big games, you’ve got to beat your rivals, and they can’t do it. Historically, Man City always get better after January."

The data does not necessarily back Scholes' view.

Last season,Arsenal did not lose any of their 10 matches against the Premier League's Big Six: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham.

Their 2024/25 campaign brought five wins and five draws against those sides. OnlyLiverpool (21) took more points than Arsenal (20) in those match-ups.

But the optics differ. There's an argument thatArsenal are yet to win a fixture of this ilk when the heat is truly on. Their dismantling of an in-form Aston Villa late last month was impressive, but Liverpool - even amid their absences and inconsistent form - pose a different challenge.

Liverpool are a side used to winning. Arsenal, for all their progress, have a monkey on their back.

Win tonight, however, and thePremier League