FAC: Arsenal v Liverpool

Doors open at 10.30a. Match will screen regardless of weather unless otherwise announced. Opposition supporters not welcome. Holiday Drive concludes. Scarves available for pick-up or new purchase.

New Year, new competition. On hiatus from the Premier League until 20th January, Arsenal have the opportunity to regroup and adjust from a festive period to forget. Before taking their winter break, the Gunners begin 2024 the traditional way, entering FA Cup play in the third round. While easing into the competition with a lower-league side may have been more desirable, the football gods saw fit to instead set up a second meeting with Liverpool in three weeks. These sides last met in the world's oldest knockout competition in the fifth round back in 2014, with Arsenal winning 2-1 on the way to their first trophy in nine years. Of note, Mikel Arteta was in the starting lineup that day. Despite the recent strong showing at Anfield, subsequent results show that the gaffer has his work cut out to get the offense firing again. 

Since that last meeting in December, Liverpool have defeated Burnley and Newcastle to open a five-point gap on their hosts at the top of the table. The Reds continue to impress despite an unsettled midfield and several injuries. However, Jurgen Klopp will surely miss Mohammed Salah and Wataru Endo on account of their participation in the African Cup of Nations and Asian Cup, respectively. Despite the difference in form, and with a full week between matches, both the hosts and visitors will surely be up for the marquee tie of the round.

This is the biggest match on a big weekend for English football. Don't let the weather scare you off– there's no better place to ride out the storm, both figuratively and literally, than at Dillon's with the BG family. Pack. The. Pub.

VCC

UTA

KEEP THE FAITH ✊