Arsenal have the chance to put right an historical wrong when they travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.
The Gunners are flying high at the top of the Premier League table and will arrive at Liverpool’s home ground on Sunday full of confidence. Mikel Arteta’s side have nine games left to negotiate as they aim to hold off Manchester City and win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
With Liverpool languishing in eighth place and in the midst of a miserable season, they may never have a better chance of winning at Anfield. Arteta is unlikely to put much weight on the club’s record at Anfield, but it is surprisingly poor.
The last six Premier League games at Anfield between the two sides have all been won by Liverpool, who have scored 22 goals to Arsenal ’s meagre tally of four. The Gunners have not won in the league at Liverpool since way back in September 2012 – but they did draw back in January 2016.
The match, on Wednesday, January 16, finished 3-3 following a 90th-minute equaliser from Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen. Three of the current Liverpool squad started that day: Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Roberto Firmino.
By contrast, none of Arsenal’s starters that day remain at the club. But Arteta will know all about that game, having come on as a late substitute. But for the rest of us, who didn’t play that day, here is the last Arsenal XI to avoid defeat at Liverpool.
Petr Cech
The goalkeeper for Arsenal that day was Cech, who was in the first season of his four years at Arsenal after leaving Chelsea. He stayed until 2019 when he retired and moved back to Chelsea as a technical and performance advisor.
The 40-year-old left Chelsea last summer after the Todd Boehly takeover and now spends much of his time on the ice. Cech now plays for the Chelmsford Chieftains after previously playing for Guildford Phoenix.
Hector Bellerin
The Spaniard was a fan favourite at Arsenal between 2013 and 2022. After spending the 2021/22 season out on loan with Real Betis, he was signed by Barcelona in September.
Bellerin joined Sporting on loan in January and is facing an uncertain future, with another move on the cards this summer.
Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny was a familiar presence at the heart of Arsenal’s defence for nine years, between 2010 and 2019. The Frenchman made a whopping 353 appearances for the club before moving back to his homeland with Bordeaux.
He announced his retirement in March last year and was forced to strongly deny allegations of racism, which had cast a shadow over his final days as a professional.
Per Mertesacker
Mertesacker was Koscielny’s long-time partner at the back for Arsenal. The giant German retired back in 2018, after seven years at Arsenal – but he hasn’t ventured far.
Still only 38, Mertesacker is now the head of the Gunners’ academy, where he is overseeing the development of the next generation.
Nacho Monreal
Another long-serving player, Monreal played for Arsenal for six years, between 2013 and 2019. He left for Real Sociedad, where he played for three years before retiring in 2022 due to a knee injury.
He said at the time: "My knee sends me a message… loud and clear; I cannot continue! Do I get mad? NO! I listen to it and accept the situation and thank it for everything. A stage is over. Another starts. I'm happy and feeling good. One more time… I FEEL GOOD!!! And that gives me peace of mind."
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey scored Arsenal’s opening goal that day. And the world appeared to be at his feet when he signed for Juventus in 2019, with the Italian club handing him a gigantic contract. But it has not worked out well for the Welsh midfielder.
He made just 70 appearances in three years in Turin, with injuries limiting him to six goals and six assists in that time. He was loaned to Rangers last year and has now joined Nice, where he plays alongside Ross Barkley and Arsenal loanee Nicolas Pepe.
Mathieu Flamini
Flamini spent three years at Arsenal before moving to Crystal Palace and Getafe. He retired from football in 2018 and has embarked upon a remarkable business career ever since – one which has made him extremely rich.
The 39-year-old Frenchman set up GF Biochemicals in 2008 out of concern for the planet's future and last year became the chief executive of the biochemical startup he co-founded.
Joel Campbell
Campbell, who picked up an assist against Liverpool that day, has played for 11 different clubs – and he’s still only 30 years old. The Costa Rican winger was loaned out six times during his spell at Arsenal and only made 40 appearances in seven years at the club.
He is now on loan at Monterey from fellow Mexican side Leon. He has two goals and four assists in 30 games this season.
Mesut Ozil
Ozil left Arsenal under a cloud after failing out of favour at the club. He left for Fenerbahce, but his time in Turkey never went to plan. He moved on to Istanbul Basaksehir before retiring last month.
He said: "I've had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it's become more and more clear that it's time to leave the big stage of football.”
Theo Walcott
Walcott was at Arsenal for 12 years following a move from Southampton in 2006. He left for Everton in 2018 and is still going strong in the Premier League at his first club.
Now 34, his best days are behind him, but new Saints boss Ruben Selles has handed him plenty of starts in recent weeks.
Olivier Giroud
One of three Frenchman in the Arsenal side that day at Anfield. Giroud scored twice against Liverpool and he managed 105 in 253 appearances for the club between 2012 and 2018.
He is now France’s all-time record scorer, with 53 goals in 122 games, and is still very much in demand at AC Milan at the age of 36.
