Arsenal and Liverpool meet in the Premier League tonight, a clash between the league leaders and defending champions.
It’s a massive match-up in North London, as Arsenal look to take a step closer to replacing Liverpool as kings of England. Ahead of their Emirates showdown, we’ve put together our Combined XI from the two squads.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker – Liverpool
Tonight’s tie pits together the league’s best number ones. David Raya has been outstanding in an Arsenal shirt, but there’s a strong argument that Liverpool’s Alisson is the finest goalkeeper in the game. The Brazilian offers the perfect combination of presence and calm.
Right-back: Jurrien Timber – Arsenal
Arsenal’s backline might just be Europe’s most formidable, with excellent individuals and a coherent understanding.
Jurrien Timber has been a model of consistency for the Gunners, shutting down avenues for opposition wingers and contributing going forward. Just four full-backs have created more chances in the Premier League this season.
Centre-back: William Saliba – Arsenal
Put together the desired ingredients for a modern centre-back, and it would look a lot like William Saliba. The Frenchman has been near faultless for Arsenal this season and could be heading for a fourth straight season in the PFA Team of the Year.
William Saliba, at his very best 🥶 pic.twitter.com/f8A5JHJ0Oq
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2026
Centre-back: Gabriel Maghalaes – Arsenal
It’s an all-Arsenal pairing at centre-back with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk far from last season’s levels at Liverpool. Gabriel has earned plenty of praise at Arsenal this season, with big goals, big blocks, and warrior-like defending. An unmissable presence in both boxes.
Left-back: Riccardo Calafiori – Arsenal
Liverpool’s full-back evolution has not worked out as hoped to date, with neither Milos Kerkez nor Jeremie Frimpong showing the form that earned them moves to Anfield.
Arsenal have an embarrassment of riches defensively, with the all-action Calafiori having kept out last season’s breakout star, Myles Lewis-Skelly, for much of the campaign.
Midfield: Martin Zubimendi – Arsenal
Much was made about Arsenal’s need for a centre-forward last summer, but has Martin Zubimendi instead been the missing piece?
The Spaniard sets the tempo for Mikel Arteta’s side and has provided a platform for Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to thrive ahead of him.
▪️4 goal contributions in 48 games with Real Sociedad
▪️6 goal contributions in 25 games with ArsenalMartin Zubimendi’s output is already up in nearly half the games since joining the Gunners 📈🔥 pic.twitter.com/HviiYEVwWY
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 7, 2026
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Right-back, central midfield, right-wing. Whatever’s been asked of him this season, Dominik Szoboszlai has delivered.
The Hungarian has been a shining light in an otherwise challenging campaign for Liverpool and looks a shoo-in for the club’s Player of the Season awards. The all-action midfielder is a future Liverpool captain.
A special strike 🍿✨ pic.twitter.com/cDz12e23CF
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 31, 2025
Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal
Speaking of future captains…
Declan Rice does not wear the armband for Arsenal, but he’s undoubtedly become the centrepiece of the side. Crunching tackles, powerful drives, dangerous deliveries, Rice often does it all.
He’s perhaps the one player that Mikel Arteta cannot replace.
Right-wing: Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
With Mohamed Salah absent at AFCON and a shadow of last season’s level, it’s Bukayo Saka who starts from the right.
Saka is central to everything Arsenal do going forward, having been a talismanic presence since his introduction to the side as a teenager. At 24, he’s achieved plenty, but there are still levels to go. Using prime Salah as a benchmark would not be a bad idea.
Left-wing: Leandro Trossard – Arsenal
An underrated part of Mikel Arteta’s squad. Trossard was heavily linked with an exit in the summer but has continued to contribute prominently after turning down an exit.
He ended December as Arsenal’s Player of the Month and led his teammates in goal involvements in 2025. Liverpool know all about the threat Trossard can bring, after the Belgian hit a hat-trick at Anfield for former club Brighton in 2022.
What a year for Leandro Trossard 🔴
Leading Arsenal in goals, assists, and goal contributions. pic.twitter.com/RD4RTsuDGu
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) December 31, 2025
Forward: Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool
Liverpool will be praying Hugo Ekitike has recovered sufficiently form a hamstring issue to feature tonight.
The Frenchman has been the success story of the club’s summer window, with 11 goals for the campaign to date. More than that, he’s produced a catalogue of moments that have made the 23-year-old one of the most watchable forwards in the league.
Read – Iconic Performances: Henry inspires Arsenal to Liverpool comeback
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