Arsenal Lead as Liverpool Slip to Fourth

Piero Hincapie is hoping to be available for Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid after returning to training from a groin injury, with Ben White, Myles Lewis‑Skelly and Mikel Merino among other defensive options and Gabriel Martinelli likely to start on the left. Arsenal have made a defensive statement this season, keeping eight clean sheets in 11 matches, recording back‑to‑back league games without facing a shot on target and scoring 20 goals in 10 games. That form has helped them lead the Premier League and begin the Champions League strongly. By contrast, Liverpool have lost four straight matches, slipped to fourth and are facing scrutiny over Arne Slot’s attack‑forward approach and a summer window that has yet to pay off. Arsenal travel to Fulham as heavy favourites this weekend as pundits view Liverpool’s collapse as a clear opening for the Gunners in the title race.