"The tide has turned a bit right now" - Rio Ferdinand names favorites to win Arsenal vs Liverpool
Rio Ferdinand has made his prediction for Arsenal's crunch Premier League fixture against Liverpool this Sunday (October 27). The pundit has backed Arne Slot's side to secure all three points.
Liverpool have had an excellent start to the season under the Dutch boss in his debut campaign at Anfield. Slot's men lead the league table by a point ahead of second-placed Manchester City (20), having won seven of their first eight games.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are trailing four points behind the Merseysiders in third, having recorded five wins, two draws, and a loss so far this term.
Liverpool seem in great form after a fantastic start to the title race, and Rio Ferdinand has backed the Reds to build on their momentum at the Emirates this weekend. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Manchester United legend said:
"I think on form, momentum, I would say 100% Liverpool. I think they're the team that you look at and go, 'they're in a better position.'"
The Gunners have been dealt a poor hand with injuries this season. Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, and Martin Odegaard are included in their injury list.
Ferdinand added:
"With injuries, Arsenal seem decimated in that sense, and they haven't got the momentum at the moment. They're not firing on all cylinders. They're not the Arsenal of last season at the moment."
"Liverpool, the tide has turned a bit right now. Brilliant few games into the season, but right now, I would say that Liverpool are probably the favorites," he concluded.
William Saliba will miss this weekend's Premier League showdown due to a one-game suspension after picking up a red card against Bournemouth on October 19.
"They can’t drop points like this" - William Gallas highlights Arsenal's 'problem' in title race against Liverpool and Man City
William Gallas has highlighted a key issue that needs to be addressed for Arsenal to beat Liverpool and City in the title race this season. He insisted that the Gunners cannot drop points against smaller teams.
He said (via The Mirror):
"Listen, the problem with Arsenal is always the same and it looks like it won't change. If they play against big teams, every player will be 100 per cent. But if they play against small teams, some players are not 100 per cent. It’s difficult for me to understand this, but it's true."
“If you want to win the title, you’ve got to beat the small teams in the league home and away. If you draw, it’s the same feeling as a loss because you know how good Manchester City are. They need to understand that they can’t drop points like this if they want to be champions this season," he added.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were unavailable for the Gunners' 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend due to injuries. However, Gallas insisted that it's not an excuse, as he drew comparisons with Manchester City, saying:
"You can’t blame the defeat (at Bournemouth) on Saka or Odegaard not being available. Those are excuses that I don’t want to hear because Arsenal have a big squad. When Manchester City lose a couple of key players, do they drop points? You don't see any difference.”
Apart from the Bournemouth defeat, the Gunners have dropped points in draws against Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion this season.