Arsenal vs Liverpool: FA Cup team news, line-ups and third-round clash updates

Arsenal is struggling, while Liverpool is in better form. Both teams will face off in the FA Cup third round.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side has struggled over the Christmas and New Year period, suffering defeats against West Ham and Fulham in the Premier League. This comes after a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp's team opening up a three-point lead at the top of the table. As a result, Liverpool arrives at the Emirates in better form.

The upcoming FA Cup tie will be Liverpool's first match without Mohamed Salah, who has joined up with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Arsenal is in need of a result after a disappointing festive period. The Gunners, who will wear an all-white kit at home for the first time in the club's history, have been linked with a move for Ivan Toney this month as Arteta looks to revitalize his attack.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have experienced recent success in the FA Cup, with Arteta winning his first trophy with the Gunners in 2020 and Klopp's Reds enjoying their own victory in 2022. However, both teams were knocked out at the fourth-round stage last season and will be looking to avoid another early exit.

The match presents an opportunity for an Arsenal attack missing their top center forward to test a Liverpool defense missing their two first-choice center-halves. This feels like a key battle in a game between two relatively evenly-matched sides. Both teams will need to adapt to the absence of key players, with Liverpool missing Salah and Arsenal missing Gabriel Jesus.

The match is set to kick off at 4.30pm GMT on Sunday 7 January at the Emirates Stadium. Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 4pm. The action will also be available via the BBC Sport website and on the iPlayer. If you're traveling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up can help you find the best deals. Viewers using a VPN need to ensure they comply with any local regulations and the terms of their service provider.