Martin Odegaard Named on Arsenal Bench After Injury Scare as Alexis Mac Allister Returns to Liverpool Starting XI for Huge Anfield Clash

A Blockbuster Sunday Showdown at Anfield

When Liverpool and Arsenal collide at Anfield, it is never just another Premier League fixture. This is a rivalry laced with history, drama, and the sort of intensity that makes it one of English football’s great modern battles. And this weekend’s clash carried even more significance: both clubs entered the game with perfect records, looking to carve out an early advantage in the title race.

The build-up had been dominated by team news, particularly surrounding the fitness of two midfield stars: Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s influential captain, and Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool’s World Cup-winning engine. Their availability was always going to shape the contest — and when the lineups dropped, fans were given a mix of relief and surprise.

What Happened: Lineups Confirmed

• Liverpool boost: Alexis Mac Allister, who missed the Reds’ thrilling 3-2 win at Newcastle last weekend, returned straight into the starting XI after resuming full training.

• Arsenal surprise: Martin Ødegaard, expected by many to miss out after an awkward fall on his shoulder against Leeds, was included among Mikel Arteta’s nine substitutes.

For Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the Argentine’s presence was a huge lift. Not only does he bring composure in midfield, but his ability to dictate tempo is crucial in a high-intensity fixture like this one.

For Arteta’s Arsenal, simply having Ødegaard available, even if only from the bench, was a statement. He is the heartbeat of their creativity, and his absence would have left the Gunners desperately short of invention, particularly with Bukayo Saka ruled out through a hamstring injury.

Martin Odegaard Arsenal Champions League 2025

The Bigger Picture: Both Sides at a Crossroads

This clash came at a fascinating juncture for both clubs.

Liverpool Under Arne Slot

The Dutchman has wasted no time stamping his authority on Liverpool. His team’s resilience at St. James’ Park last weekend, capped by a Rio Ngumoha stoppage-time winner, showed the kind of spirit Anfield supporters crave. Mac Allister’s return restored balance to a midfield that already boasts the energy of Szoboszlai and the guile of Curtis Jones.

Arsenal’s Injury Concerns

For Arteta, the picture was more complicated. He headed into Anfield without several key players:

• Bukayo Saka (hamstring, out for weeks)

• Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus (attacking options unavailable)

• Christian Nørgaard (midfield absence)

• Ben White (defensive casualty)

It left Arsenal stretched. The availability of Ødegaard, even in a limited capacity, suddenly became priceless. Arteta may not have wanted to risk him from the start, but keeping him on the bench ensured that Arsenal had a tactical trump card if the game became tight.

Did You Know?

• Odegaard’s Arsenal Influence: Since being named captain, Ødegaard has directly contributed to more Premier League goals (goals + assists) than any other Arsenal midfielder.

• Mac Allister’s Anfield Return: This was Mac Allister’s first Anfield appearance under Slot after missing the Newcastle clash.

• Liverpool vs Arsenal Records: The last time Arsenal won at Anfield in the Premier League was back in 2012. Liverpool have since turned Anfield into one of the most intimidating fortresses in football.

The Stakes: More Than Just Three Points

In mid-August, no one wins or loses the league. But matches like these set the tone.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool were unbeaten, both boasting nine points from three games. With Spurs slipping up against Bournemouth, this fixture offered the chance to move top outright.

For Liverpool, it was about reinforcing Slot’s early promise and showing that the post-Klopp era could still be defined by dominance at Anfield. For Arsenal, it was about proving resilience despite injuries and demonstrating that they could grind out results in the most hostile of away grounds.

Arsenal’s Bench Call: A Calculated Gamble

Naming Ødegaard on the bench was classic Arteta: cautious but pragmatic. He admitted in his Friday press conference that the Norwegian had not trained fully during the week. The safe move would have been to rest him completely.

Yet, with Saka missing, the creative burden would have fallen entirely on the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Leandro Trossard, and Declan Rice. Arteta knew the margin for error was slim. By keeping Ødegaard as a substitute, he gave himself a potential 30-minute game-changer if Arsenal needed one.

The question lingered: would he risk aggravating the shoulder? Or would Arsenal’s depth step up to ensure he wasn’t needed?

Liverpool’s Engine Restored: The Mac Allister Effect

Slot’s decision to restore Mac Allister straight into the XI was bold but logical. The Argentine had impressed in training and provided qualities that Liverpool missed in patches against Newcastle: calmness in possession, vertical passing, and the ability to control tempo.

With Arsenal expected to press high, Mac Allister’s role in linking defense to attack was vital. His partnership with Szoboszlai promised energy and technical excellence in equal measure — the kind of midfield that could overwhelm Arsenal if given space.

The Atmosphere: Anfield in Full Voice

Anfield games between Liverpool and Arsenal are rarely dull. The Kop was buzzing even before kickoff, sensing not just the rivalry but the importance of striking early psychological blows in the title race.

Every return — from Mac Allister starting to Ødegaard appearing on the bench — added to the narrative. Both sets of supporters knew that even small margins could tip the balance.

What Comes Next?

Arsenal FC v Liverpool FC – Premier League

Regardless of the outcome, this fixture carried long-term implications:

• For Liverpool: A win would solidify belief in Arne Slot’s system and maintain their perfect start. It would also send a message to Manchester City that the Reds are serious challengers again.

• For Arsenal: Victory at Anfield would be seismic. It would prove that Arteta’s men can handle adversity, win big games without key players, and end their Anfield hoodoo. Even a draw, given their injuries, might be viewed as progress.

Conclusion: A Game Balanced on a Knife’s Edge

The team sheets told their own story: Martin Ødegaard on Arsenal’s bench, Alexis Mac Allister back in Liverpool’s starting XI. Two midfield generals, both crucial, both shaping how their sides would approach this high-stakes battle.

Football, after all, is as much about who is available as how they play. Arsenal’s injury list left them vulnerable but not hopeless. Liverpool’s boost gave them control but not guarantees.

What was certain was that Anfield was ready for another chapter in this great rivalry — one where every tackle, every pass, and every decision would be magnified under the floodlights.