Combined XI: Arsenal v Liverpool

With both Arsenal and Liverpool expected to be in the mix for the Premier League title this campaign, we have constructed a combined XI featuring players from both sides.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have narrowly missed out on the title in back-to-back seasons, finishing behind Manchester City on both occasions.

Liverpool's strong form since the arrival of Arne Slot begs the question as to whether the Reds can emerge as title contenders in the Dutchman's first season in charge.

As two of the top sides in the country, Liverpool and Arsenal both boast squads littered with quality, making the task of putting together a combined XI a challenging one.

This is the selection we have plumped for, lining up in a 4-3-3 formation:

GK: Alisson

Since arriving in Merseyside in 2018, the Brazilian has proved to be one of the best goalkeepers in Europe

Liverpool, who had struggles recruiting in the goalkeeper department for a number of years, struck gold with the signing of Alisson, who has proved vital for the Reds on more than one occasion.

Alisson is not only a terrific shot-stopper with impressive athleticism, but he also exudes an aura which appears to inspire confidence in his defenders in front of him.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

Since rising through the ranks at Liverpool, the Liverpudlian has revolutionised the right back role.

Alexander-Arnold is one of Liverpool's most integral creative assets, and is increasingly the player the Reds look to in order to unlock opposition defences.

While Arsenal have recruited a number of high quality full backs in recent years, including Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber, they are yet to fall upon one who possesses the quality that Alexander-Arnold has, and that is why he makes this combined XI.

CB: William Saliba

After spending time on loan at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille, Arteta finally decided the time was right to introduce Saliba to the first team setup at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Since his Premier League debut on 5th August 2022, the Frenchman has taken the challenge with ease, earning him back-to-back involvements in the PFA Team of the Year.

An imposing physical presence, Saliba is also extremely proficient on the ball which helps Arsenal build up from the back and dominate possession.

CB: Virgil van Dijk

Alongside Arsenal's Saliba at centre-back goes Liverpool's very own defensive juggernaut - Dutchman Virgil van Dijk.

Growing into one of the top centre-backs in Europe since signing from Southampton for a record-breaking fee for a defender of £75m in 2018, Van Dijk was aslo assigned the role of captain following the departure of Jordan Henderson.

Van Dijk is a dominant figure at the back for Liverpool with an all-round skillset which sets him apart from his defensive counterparts in the Premier League and across Europe.

LB: Andrew Robertson

Andrew Robertson has been a terrific servant for the Reds since being acquired from Hull City for a bargain fee of around £8m in 2017.

While Robertson is not getting any younger, he remains a crucial part of the Liverpool side, both on and off the pitch.

Previously known for his ability to hold the width and provide a constant attacking threat for the Reds, the Scotsman now tends to operate in a narrower role, offering defensive solidity when needed.

CM: Declan Rice

Signed for a club-record £105m fee from West Ham, England midfielder Declan Rice looks to have been worth every penny in Arsenal colours so far.

Offering the Gunners' backline solid defensive protection, the all-action Rice is also capable of dictating the tempo of matches and driving forward with the ball.

Should Arsenal seal their first league title win since the Invincibles team of 2003/04, expect Rice to be at the heart of their success.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch

After a challenging first season under Jurgen Klopp, Gravenberch seems to have found his feet in the Premier League.

The Dutch midfielder offers significant versatility for Liverpool, with the ability to play in a single pivot, a double pivot, and in a more advanced role as a typical number eight.

One of his most impressive and notable characteristics is his ability to drop the shoulder and change direction. Despite his tall stature, he is incredibly nimble and has a low centre of gravity, allowing him to coast past players with ease.

CM: Martin Odegaard

The ex-Real Madrid youngster acts as the advanced playmaker in Arsenal's well-oiled machine under Mikel Arteta, with the Norwegian one of the key difference makers in the final third for the Gunners.

At 25 years old, there is still plenty room for growth for the tremendously technically gifted Odegaard, who is bidding to become the first Arsenal captain since Patrick Vieira in 2004 to lift the Premier League title.

RW: Bukayo Saka

Given the impact he has made in Arsenal's first team since breaking through in the 2019/20 season, it can be easy to forget that Bukayo Saka remains only 23 years old.

Now a crucial figure for both club and country, Saka is one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League.

Saka is a winger with both the physical attributes to cause teams problems in transition and the football brain to unlock even the most compact of defences.

ST: Mohamed Salah

Shoehorned into this team through the middle in order to incorporate Arsenal's sensational Saka, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is one of the Premier League's bonafide world stars.

Winning three Premier League Golden Boots since transferring to Anfield from Roma for around £36.9m in 2017, the 'Egyptian King' has been at the forefront of Liverpool's resurgence at the top of English football.

Despite turning 33 next June, Salah has showed no signs of slowing down, and still remains an integral part of the Liverpool side.

LW: Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz faces vast competition in this combined XI, with Gabriel Martinelli and Cody Gakpo both amongst the options to choose from.

However, it is near impossible to disregard the excellence of the Colombian.

Not only does Diaz provide a constant threat when eyeing up the opponent's full back, but he also plays with intensity out of possession, making him the perfect figure to set the tone from the front for Liverpool.