Arsenal
3 Key Players For Arsenal & Liverpool To Watch out For This Season
Well, if last season’s Barclay’s Premier League is a benchmark for expectations this season, we all know how tough it is going to be for the clubs to finish inside the top four. Chelsea and Manchester City look really set to battle it out for the title whereas clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Everton at least want to book a top four berth if not challenge for the title as outside contenders. With the recently concluded transfer window, and the international break ending soon, Premier League teams are facing each other with their full squads.
A lot depends on the marquee signings the clubs have made in a bid to fight in the toughest league in the world, and here we are, considering two of the best clubs in England- Arsenal and Liverpool. How does their star quotient pan out in comparison to each other and considering their own ambitions in the league? Below is the analysis of one forward, one midfielder and one defender who would be crucial for each team this season.
Arsenal Star Power: The Explosive Gunners
Alexis Sanchez:
Arsenal’s marquee signing of the summer is the Chilean from Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez, who was brought in for about £35m. He is a complete attacking package, who is best employed as a supporting striker either through the centre or the wings. Sanchez has also played as a lone striker in times of need. A definite world class product, Alexis has all the elements to be a hit in the Premier League. He has pace, adaptability, energy and work-rate to match his technical skills of dribbling and finishing. He is expected to play a key role in Arsenal’s 4-3-3, supporting Frenchman Giroud or latest recruit Danny Welbeck.
Aaron Ramsey:
Here comes the proven star of the team, Welshman Aaron Ramsey with his athleticism and goals. He had an excellent season last time as he earned himself the Arsenal’s Player of the Year award after a couple of average seasons. He showed amazing consistency in his performances last season, despite having injury absences, which showed that Ramsey had really developed. He has already notched up 2 goals in 3 matches, and looks set to provide energy and goals from the midfield with his penetrating runs and some good finishing. He is likely to play ahead of a holding midfielder either Flamini or Arteta, and support Ozil.
Laurent Koscielny:
Mainstay of Arsenal’s defence is Frenchman Laurent Koscielny. He is known for his aggression and front foot defending. Koscielny is the one who adds balance to the centre back partnership with Per Mertesacker. He has pace and power for a center back to press in deeper positions. Koscielny is also a very obvious aerial threat because of his ability to free himself ably and jump really high. A defender relying on his mobility, Koscielny likes breaking up play by intercepting and tackling, effectively breathing down the forwards’ necks, while Mertesacker provides him with the needed back-up.
Liverpool Star Power: The Reds Army
Sturridge:
Daniel Sturridge was the Premier League’s second top scorer last season after his ex-teammate Luis Suarez. If last season’s early games are to be seen, we do know that Sturridge can well score goals himself without the assistance of Suarez. Recruited from Chelsea a year and a half ago, Sturridge has really shown his previous owners Chelsea and Man City of what he’s capable of when he’s given the chance. He’s often criticized for his selfish play, because it does become frustrating at times. But, a striker like Sturridge is really hungry for goals and a key player for the Reds this season.
Raheem Sterling:
Usually it is always Steven Gerrard who can be aptly termed as the main midfielder for the Reds. But well, this season all hopes are actually on a much younger and really fast Raheem Sterling! Well, we all need an exclamation mark to describe him, as liveliness and delight is all the words you need to use for the young English attacking midfielder. He wowed the world with his displays in the World Cup in a poor English campaign, and would now want to drive Liverpool’s midfield. Gerrard would love to mentor this young and super talented attacker into one of the best in the league, as he shows the ability to play in any attacking position behind the striker. Sterling can really have a season to remember if he delivers on so much promise that he’s showing as Liverpool’s most in-form midfielder.
Dejan Lovren:
Lovren is a good complete defender and seemingly the first choice centre back, who is likely to be partnered with either Skrtel or Sakho. Lovren isn’t just a no-nonsense defender, he is also very confident in his ability with ball as well. Liverpool needed quality in the back four, especially in the central defence, as last season saw them conceding 50 goals or so.
The Croatian International, who had a great season at Southampton was roped in for a huge sum, yet something the Reds won’t mind shelling out for a talented player. The defender had a tough childhood and has learnt to live life the hard way and survival is something he knows at the back of his palm. We are bound to get aggression and toughness at the back as well as the ability to start attacks from the deep positions, unlike Sakho who’d simply clear the ball!
The Verdict: Down to the wire
Can we say which team will be third or fourth? No. But they are definitely the ones who are leading the race for the top four ahead of Spurs and Everton. Then there are competitors Manchester United, who are coming with bucket loads of attackers, without much balance in the team. It looks like there is going to be strong competition between the Gunners and the Reds this term as they looked settled.
Liverpool are more settled than the Gunners who have finally got a centre forward in Danny Welbeck, but lack depth in defensive positions. It remains to be seen how well the teams cope with UCL and Premier League pressure, but if the author has to go with one choice, it would be Liverpool third and Arsenal fourth, if only the current form is considered, which can easily be the other way round with the Gunners third and Reds fourth.
Arsenal Dragon
Renee Slegers Confirms The Position Arsenal Women Are Looking To Sign a Player From in January Transfer Window
Renee Slegers has confirmed Arsenal will sign a goalkeeper in January after revealing Daphne van Domselaar will miss the remainder of 2025 with a quad tendon issue, leaving the club relying on debutant Anneke Borbe and teenager Amy Liddiard.
The Arsenal boss made the admission during Friday’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Liverpool, where summer signing Borbe will make her full debut with 17-year-old Liddiard providing backup from the bench.
Van Domselaar requires an injection for her quad tendon problem and won’t return until the new year, compounding Arsenal’s goalkeeper crisis. Manuela Zinsberger is already out for the season after rupturing her ACL in October, one of 17 players across the WSL to suffer knee injuries during that month alone.
“We Need Three Goalkeepers Available”
Asked directly if Arsenal want to sign a goalkeeper in January, Slegers didn’t hesitate. “Yes, definitely, because Manu is out and Daphne has been managing issues, so we’re definitely looking,” she said.
“We’re definitely looking at that position because we think we need a really strong goalkeeper union with three goalkeepers available and we’re not in that situation at the moment so we’ll have to solve that for the second half of the season.”
Arsenal have also been linked with Swedish right-back Smilla Holmberg as they look to strengthen multiple positions during the winter window.
Chloe Kelly Adds to Injury Woes
The goalkeeper situation isn’t Arsenal’s only injury concern for Saturday’s noon kick-off. Chloe Kelly suffered a knee injury on England duty against Ghana on Tuesday and will miss the Liverpool match. Like van Domselaar, Kelly could be unavailable until the new year.
Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang (on loan at Brighton) have also suffered season-ending ACL injuries this campaign, highlighting the brutal injury toll Arsenal have endured.
Slegers Dismisses Dressing Room “Unrest” Reports
Slegers was also asked about The Athletic’s report claiming the dressing room has been “splintered for many years” with some players “wielding significant influence” and underlying tension between squad members.
The Arsenal boss firmly rejected the narrative. “We won the Champions League, historically we are the most successful club in England, there is noise on the outside, there will always be noise, but on the inside we know what we are doing,” she responded.
“I didn’t agree with it and I think it is unfortunate that this is what is written about us while we are doing so many good things and a lot of people invested in the process.”
Also read: Arsenal Women vs. Liverpool Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Arsenal face their toughest test of the season as they travel to Villa Park, where Aston Villa have been nearly impenetrable. The Gunners hold a six-point advantage over third-placed Villa, but their defensive injury crisis threatens to derail their title momentum.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, December 6, 2025
Venue: Villa Park
Referee: Michael Oliver
TV: TNT Sports 1
Form Guide
Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners in this exact fixture last season, with goals from Trossard and Thomas Partey settling matters at Villa Park. However, Villa dealt a seismic blow to Arsenal’s title bid with a 2-0 away victory in mid-April 2024, helping Manchester City to win the league. A 2-2 draw at the Emirates last January again stunted Arsenal’s championship pursuit.
Villa have been in exceptional form, winning seven of their last eight games across all competitions. They showed character in midweek to claim a 4-3 win over Brighton, despite trailing 2-0 after half an hour. Ollie Watkins enjoyed a welcome return to form, netting twice in the first half. At home, Villa have won five of their seven fixtures this season and are unbeaten in their last 25 Premier League home games.
Arsenal maintained their five-point lead at the top with a 2-0 win over Brentford in midweek. Goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches across all competitions. However, the match came at a cost with injuries to Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera.
Team News
Arsenal’s defensive crisis has reached alarming levels. Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a thigh problem while representing Brazil during the November international break and could be missing for up to two months. William Saliba has missed the last two matches after suffering a knock in training, though Arteta confirmed it should be “a matter of days” before his return.
Cristhian Mosquera was forced off before half-time against Brentford with an ankle injury and is set to miss 6 to 8 weeks of football. Declan Rice also limped off late on with a calf issue, though the midfielder told Sky Sports he is “fine” and expects to be available. Leandro Trossard could return from a muscle injury, with Arteta confirming he should be back within “a matter of days.” Kai Havertz remains weeks away from returning after knee surgery complications.
For Villa, Emiliano Martinez is a major doubt with a back injury that kept him out against Brighton. The Argentine was forced to withdraw from the lineup after experiencing pain during the warm-up. Ross Barkley is ruled out for 8-12 weeks with a knee injury suffered against Wolves. Tyrone Mings remains sidelined with a thigh injury and won’t be available until late December at the earliest.
Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Buendia, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Timber, Hincapié, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Read More: Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brentford: Gunners Restore Five-Point Lead With 2-0 Win
Arsenal Women look to bounce back from consecutive frustrating results when they host bottom-of-the-table Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have drawn their last two WSL matches and sit fourth, eight points behind leaders Manchester City, while the Reds remain winless with just two points from eight games.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Saturday, December 6, 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Football
Form Guide
Arsenal held Tottenham to a goalless north London derby at Brisbane Road on November 16, dominating possession but failing to convert 13 attempts into goals.
Three days later, they came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League at Meadow Park, with Alessia Russo scoring twice after Caroline Weir’s opener.
Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Anfield before the international break, their second consecutive draw following a 1-1 stalemate with Brighton. The Reds sit bottom with two points and have lost all three away fixtures, scoring just once on the road this season.
Team News
Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly is a major doubt after lasting just 20 minutes of England’s 2-0 win over Ghana on Tuesday, clutching her knee following a blocked cross. Sarina Wiegman confirmed Kelly “felt something with her knee that didn’t feel right” but could walk off. Her availability for Saturday remains uncertain.
Captain Kim Little could return after missing international duty, though Lia Walti remains unavailable. Leah Williamson continues recovering from her Euro 2025 knee injury. Katie Reid (ACL), Lina Hurtig, Laura Wienroither and Manuela Zinsberger (ACL) are all long-term absentees.
Liverpool captain Grace Fisk is ruled out for 10 days after suffering a calf problem during England training. Risa Shimizu also remains sidelined. Sophie Roman Haug and Marie Hobinger are long-term casualties with ACL injuries suffered days apart in October.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Walti, Little; Foord, Maanum, Mead; Russo
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Laws; Parry, Clark, Matthews, Hinz; Holland, Nagano; Lundgaard, Daniels, Enderby; Olsson
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