Gary Neville predicts how the Liverpool vs Arsenal game will go this weekend

Arsenal head to Anfield this weekend for the first heavyweight clash of the Premier League season – and Gary Neville has made his prediction on how he thinks the game will end up.

The Gunners have started the campaign perfectly, beating Manchester United and Leeds without conceding, and sit top of the table after two games. Champions Liverpool also boast a perfect record, but defensive lapses and last minute winners over Bournemouth and Newcastle have given new boss Arne Slot something to think about.

Neville’s Bold Call

Speaking on The Overlap, Neville predicted that Arsenal would edge the contest, identifying set-pieces as the key weapon.

“I fancy Arsenal to win,” Neville said. “Arsenal to score two from set-pieces. It will be land of the giants with Arsenal on Sunday.”

Neville believes Arteta will go with a physically imposing side, highlighting Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and a “big back four” as part of a unit capable of bullying Liverpool in dead-ball situations.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright agreed with the 2-1 scoreline, pointing to Liverpool’s vulnerability when defending in transition and from wide areas.

“If that Liverpool defence did what they did against Bournemouth, we can win the game,” Wright said.

Arsenal’s Set-Piece Strength

Gary Neville’s prediction is far from far-fetched. Arsenal have become the Premier League’s most dangerous team from set-pieces under Arteta.

In the past three seasons, they have scored 33 goals goals from set-piece situations (excluding penalties). To put that into perspective, that is 13 more goals than the next best team - Tottenham with 20 goals.

The perfect delivery from Declan Rice on the left and usually Bukayo Saka on the right, met with the aerial threat of Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba and any of Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Ricardo Califori and Mikel Merino feels like a football cheat code at times.

Set-pieces have become a hallmark of Arsenal’s evolution: once a weakness, now a consistent source of goals. If Liverpool’s defence switches off like they have done in the first two leagues, the Gunners will be waiting to punish them.

H2H against Liverpool

Arsenal’s Record Against Liverpool

Anfield has often been a graveyard for Arsenal hopes – but recent meetings have been much closer and Mikel Arteta has worked out the formula of not just fairing well against Liverpool, but the rest of the traditional top 6 teams too.

In the last six Premier League meetings between the two teams, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are unbeaten. They have recorded two wins and four draws over the past three seasons, an exceptional record which can give Arsenal fans great confidence going into Sunday's game.

With Arsenal’s improved squad depth and defensive solidity, this feels like their best chance in years to turn Anfield into an early statement win in the title race.