"Knew Arteta was playing mind games", "Rocked my world" - Fans react as Arsenal duo start for Gunners against Liverpool

Arsenal fans on social media were ecstatic after Gunners' duo Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka were included in the starting XI for their Premier League clash against Liverpool on October 27. The Gunners will be looking to secure their sixth win of the league season against Arne Slot's outfit at the Emirates Stadium.

Both Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka were sidelined due to injuries after the recently concluded international break. Saka missed Arsenal's last three games because of a leg injury he picked up during the international break.

Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber last featured in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on October 1. According to reports, the Dutch defender had picked up a muscle injury in the game.

For the match against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta has gone with a 4-2-3-1 structure (according to Sofascore). Kai Havertz will lead the frontline with Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli behind him. The home team's midfield will be a dual pivot consisting of Mikel Merino and Declan Rice. Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhães, Ben White, and Thomas Partey will man the Gunners' backline with David Raya between the sticks.

Bukayo Saka has been in fine form this season for the Gunners, recording 10 goal contributions (three goals and seven assists) in as many matches across competitions. Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber has been crucial to the Gunners' backline, featuring in eight matches across competitions this season.

Arsenal fans on X (formerly Twitter) celebrated the return of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber to the starting XI. Some popular reactions on X are as follows:

"Knew Arteta was playing mind games and Saka and Timber would start," commented a fan on X.

"Saka and Timber, you’ve rocked my world," added another.

"Saka and Timber are back. Thanks God," added another Gunner.

One fan expressed their relief, tweeting:

"What a relief to see Saka & Timber back."

"Saka and Timber back, LFGGGGGGG," another chimed in.

Arsenal are currently fifth in the table with 17 points from eight games. Liverpool, meanwhile, are second with 21 points.

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A look at some key statistics related to the Arsenal vs. Liverpool clash ahead of the game

English Premier League - Premier League - Source: Getty

Liverpool have a historical advantage over the home side if we look at their head-to-head statistics. The two sides have faced each other 208 times across competitions. Liverpool have dominated the fixture with 79 wins compared to Arsenal's 70. Meanwhile, 59 matches have ended in a stalemate.

However, the Gunners have won each of their last two home league games against Liverpool, which is their longest such run in the Premier League since 2006.

Arsenal are also unbeaten in their last four league games against Liverpool. Their last league defeat against the Reds came in the 2021-22 season at the Emirates Stadium. The match ended 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

However, Liverpool certainly know how to score against the home team, having found the net in each of their last 17 matches against the Gunners in the Premier League.