Arsenal's last Premier League match against Liverpool saw them dismantled 4-0 at Anfield in a game which drew headlines for Arsene Wenger's decision to leave Alexis Sanchez on the substitutes bench.
This time round it's likely that Alexis will feature from the start at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners aim to secure revenge against Jurgen Klopp's 'Fab Four' with Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah and Robert Firmino all posing a huge threat in attack.
The Friday night clash will be Arsenal's last before Christmas until tough away trips to Crystal Palace and West Brom - two away grounds where Wenger's men were defeated last season.
"It is very demanding, especially because we already have a tough schedule behind us," he said. "I will have to sit down and analyse what we can do."
Carabao Cup quarter-final duty proved fruitful for many of Arsenal's second string in their win over West Ham on Wednesday but Wenger, who lost Olivier Giroud to a hamstring injury in midweek, will be determined to minimise the amount of injuries his squad have over a packed festive period.
ARSENAL INJURIES
Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out "at least another 10 days" with a hamstring injury and won't feature against Liverpool, with Olivier Giroud also sidelined with the same injury.
In defence, Arsenal are boosted by the return of Shkodran Mustafi to the squad after he recovered from a thigh problem.
Spanish midfield maestro Santi Cazorla remains a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.
ARSENAL SUSPENSIONS
Arsenal have no players suspended for this game.
ARSENAL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Wenger is likely to stick with four at the back after moving away from the three-man defensive system which worked so well towards the back end of last season.
Mustafi has returned to training and looks likely to start in defence alongside Laurent Koscielny while it remains to be seen whether 20-year-old Ainsley Maitland-Niles is given the nod over Sead Kolasinac at left-back.
Nigeria international Alex Iwobi was one of many players rested for the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final win over West Ham, and he's likely to be part of an attacking trio which includes Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Similarly, Jack Wilshere didn't play against the Hammers and could make his third consecutive Premier League start alongside Granit Xhaka.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Liverpool are one point ahead of Arsenal in fourth place and come into Friday's game off the back of a convincing 4-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Joel Matip has returned to training following his injury but Klopp "isn't sure" if he'll be ready for the Arsenal game while Daniel Sturridge (illness) is also a doubt. Alberto Moreno has been ruled out for several weeks with an ankle injury.
Mohamed Salah is the club's top scorer with 20 goals to his name so far this season.
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
-
Arsenal have lost their last three Premier League games against Liverpool – they haven’t lost four in a row against them since May 1998.
-
Liverpool have scored at least three goals in each of their four Premier League matches against Arsenal under Jurgen Klopp, scoring 14 goals in total (W3 D1).
-
This is just the third post-war league match between these sides on a Friday – in April 2004, Arsenal won 4-2 at Highbury with Thierry Henry scoring a hat-trick; the other was the title decider in May 1989 at Anfield with Michael Thomas scoring a last-minute goal to clinch the title for Arsenal on goals scored in a 2-0 win.
-
There have been 17 goals scored in the 90th minute or later in this match in Premier League history; more than in any other fixture in the competition.
-
Arsenal have won 13 of their last 14 Premier League games at the Emirates, losing the other against Manchester United (1-3) at the start of the month.
-
Petr Cech (199 clean sheets) is one clean sheet away from becoming the first ever goalkeeper to record 200 shutouts in the Premier League – however, he’s conceded 14 goals in his five games against Liverpool for Arsenal; at least six more than he has against any other side.
-
Roberto Firmino has been involved in six goals in five Premier League appearances against Arsenal (four goals, two assists) – however, the Brazilian has neither scored nor assisted in two matches at the Emirates.
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
The match is being televised on Sky Sports in the UK, while in the United States (US) Arsenal v Liverpool can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial) .
