Arsenal and Liverpool test their Premier League title credentials against each other on Monday night when they clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The bookies make the Gunners 9/2 to be crowned champions this season compared to 22/1 Liverpool, but it is the Reds who have started the better.
Brendan Rodgers’s new-look side have collected maximum points from their opening two games courtesy of 1-0 wins over Stoke City and Bournemouth.
Although they were somewhat fortunate to beat the Cherries on Monday as they landed on the right side of two controversial refereeing decisions.
Tommy Elphick’s early header was harshly ruled out for a foul on Dejan Lovren, while Christian Benteke’s first Liverpool goal should have been chalked off for offside against Philippe Coutinho.
While the Merseysiders are already recouping the rewards of their big-money striker signing, Arsenal have yet to purchase a new forward despite the public clamour.
Olivier Giroud did little to silence the relentless Karim Benzema rumours with a superbly-taken volley in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.
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In the end the Gunners needed a Damien Delaney own goal to secure all three points, but the win was all that mattered after their 2-0 home loss to West Ham United.
Arsene Wenger is likely to name an unchanged side, with Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck still weeks away from fitness and Tomas Rosicky a long-term absentee.
Rodgers may be forced into a reshuffle, with captain Jordan Henderson a major doubt with a foot injury. James Milner will take the armband and both Emre Can and Lucas Leiva could come into midfield.
Roberto Firmino has made substitute appearances in Liverpool’s two games so far and both he and Danny Ings will come into Rodgers’s thinking should he change system to 4-3-3.
The Reds were thrashed 4-1 in this fixture last season and have not won on any of their last four visits to the Emirates. They will go six points clear of the Gunners if they end that run tomorrow.
That gap would not be decisive at this stage, but Monday’s result could give a good indication as to which side is best equipped to get among Chelsea and the Manchester clubs at the top of the table.
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