The stage is set for another epic showdown

Moments after missing a penalty, Theo Walcott fired the Gunners in front, before Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana turned it around before the break. The Brazilian then bagged his second and Sadio Mane slammed home what looked like a commanding win for the Reds.

However, the hosts did not give up hope and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and then Calum Chambers scored to pile pressure on Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's men eventually held on to claim an emphatic win following performances from both teams that will live long in the memory. It is exactly what those in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night will be hoping for.

In August 2016, nobody anticipated such an entertaining opening weekend and after 30 dour minutes it's seemed like the crowd's expectations were about to be proven right. But Walcott opened the floodgates and a phenomenal second half ensued, with exceptional goals keeping supporters on the edge of their seats. Barely 15 months later, both sides have managed to maintain their quality up front. Goalscoring should not be an issue, with Lacazette and Salah adding firepower.

Last season, Arsenal's inexperience at the back was brutally exposed by the visitors' free-flowing attack; this time around, it is the Liverpool's back line which has been repeatedly questioned. Jurgen Klopp will demand defensive solidity from his side and will therefore be hoping for a low-scoring encounter. If the precedent set last term is any indicator of the outcome on Friday, it is not looking promising for the Reds boss.

In the reverse fixture at Anfield at the start of the current season, Liverpool came away with a far more one-sided win, with the addition of Mohamed Salah making the Reds even more deadly. Since then the Gunners have rebuilt themselves, keeping clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League matches. Wenger's men seem to have finally found some much-needed balance after a poor start to the season. Is it time for another thriller at the Emirates?