Mansion Sports – The 2025/2026 Premier League will present a major clash on matchday 21 between the struggling defending champions Liverpool and one of the most consistent teams this season, Arsenal.

The match is scheduled to take place at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, 08 January 2026, at 20.00 local time.

The Reds arrive at this high-profile fixture with a longer unbeaten run than The Gunners, but a victory would allow Mikel Arteta’s side to move an emphatic 17 points clear of the defending champions with 17 matches remaining.

As is almost always the case when these two sides meet, this match represents a crucial contest for both camps.

Arsenal aim to extend their advantage over Manchester City at the top of the table, while Liverpool are still searching for their first victory of the new year to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

Before the match begins, here is Mansion Sports’ prediction for the Arsenal vs Liverpool lineups January 2026 below.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Arsenal

It has been a truly joyful New Year for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s league leaders produced an outstanding performance as their closest rivals slipped up on matchday 20, despite a poor start against Bournemouth following a mistake by Gabriel Magalhaes that was punished by Evanilson.

A redemption goal from the Brazilian defender and two goals from Declan Rice, marking his first Premier League brace after 296 appearances, secured a vital 3-2 comeback victory for The Gunners against Bournemouth.

That win felt even sweeter after both sides of London, red and blue, celebrated Enzo Fernandez’s late equaliser for Chelsea against Manchester City.

Back-to-back draws for Manchester City left them and Aston Villa six points behind Arsenal, although that gap could be reduced to three points if either side wins on Wednesday night, with City facing Brighton & Hove Albion and Villa meeting Crystal Palace.

However, as they have done throughout the season, Arsenal remain focused on their own performances with maximum efficiency.

They have now recorded seven consecutive victories across all competitions, including five straight wins in the Premier League.

The Gunners have only won by a margin of more than one goal in two matches during that period, but the ability to secure maximum results without performing at one hundred percent is often a hallmark of championship-winning teams.

Although it is still too early to declare the title secured, Arsenal’s performances have been highly encouraging.

Arteta and his players are also strong favourites to defeat Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, where they have won 14 of their 15 matches this season, including 12 consecutive victories. Another piece of history could once again be created for North London’s red-and-white side.

Liverpool

Liverpool themselves are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, but draws against Sunderland, Leeds United twice, and Fulham have prevented them from solidifying their position in the top four.

Some Liverpool supporters may be beginning to feel that their team is experiencing a situation similar to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Optimism following four consecutive victories has now turned into pessimism after successive draws against Leeds United (0-0) and Fulham (2-2).

The thrilling four-goal draw against Fulham saw Harrison Reed equalise in stoppage time with a stunning long-range strike, only moments after Cody Gakpo had put Liverpool ahead.

Nevertheless, that result at least allowed The Reds to remain in fourth place in the league standings.

Arne Slot’s side are now just one match away from recording a 10-game unbeaten run, but maintaining that streak may not be enough to reassure increasingly frustrated supporters, as the previous run of victories now feels as though it merely concealed underlying issues.

Liverpool defeated Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield in August through a spectacular free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.

However, they have failed to win in their last three visits to the Emirates Stadium, and another defeat here could effectively extinguish their slim hopes in the title race, if such hopes still remain.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups – January 2026

Arsenal (4-3-3)

Arteta is once again enjoying a favourable selection dilemma. He will be without only three players for the match against Liverpool.

Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera are confirmed absentees due to ankle injuries, while Riccardo Calafiori is also sidelined with what has been described as a “very awkward” injury, without further details.

Kai Havertz was not included in the squad against Bournemouth due to workload management.

Given the current depth in Arsenal’s attacking options, it is possible that the German international could be rested once again.

After Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke started on the wings in the previous match, Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka are now ready to return.

Saka is even targeting a record as the first Arsenal player to score in four consecutive home league matches against Liverpool.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Liverpool are not as fortunate as Arsenal regarding attacking personnel. Mohamed Salah is absent due to AFCON duty, while Alexander Isak is sidelined with a foot injury.

Arne Slot also revealed that Hugo Ekitike has not yet returned to training after missing the Fulham match due to a muscle issue.

Florian Wirtz, who scored Liverpool’s opening goal against Fulham, is also not at full fitness because of a hamstring problem.

However, there is no indication that the high-profile signing will miss the match against Arsenal.

Giovanni Leoni is unavailable with an ACL injury, and Wataru Endo is sidelined due to an ankle problem. Slot is likely to retain the same lineup used at Craven Cottage, although Jeremie Frimpong remains an alternative option at right-back or right wing.

In conclusion, the clash between Arsenal and Liverpool is not merely about three points, but also about proving strength, consistency, and ambition for both teams.

With contrasting squad conditions, this duel at the Emirates Stadium is highly anticipated, particularly to observe how the Arsenal vs Liverpool lineups January 2026 will truly influence the course of this major Premier League encounter.