The clash between the Reds and the Gunners at Anfield just before Christmas ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, setting the stage for an intense FA Cup encounter this Sunday. Since their last meeting, the fortunes of Liverpool and Arsenal have taken different turns, with the Reds securing two wins and leading the Premier League, while Arsenal suffered two defeats, trailing by five points.

Despite the recent disparities in league performance, the FA Cup has a way of leveling the playing field, and former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, as well as his ex-teammate David Seaman, anticipate a closely contested match. Merson has already predicted a narrow 2-1 victory for Arsenal, a sentiment echoed by Seaman on his Seaman Says podcast.

“I’m going to go with a 2-1 Arsenal win,” the 60-year-old goalkeeper predicted. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of FA Cup draws, Seaman noted, “I always remember when we were in the draw for the FA Cup and Man United got Liverpool, we would be like ‘yes, one of them is going out.’ So that’s what they are all thinking about this one, Arsenal or Liverpool are going out.”

Seaman emphasized that the outcome would hinge on the strength of the teams each manager puts out, highlighting the potential for a great game. Acknowledging the unpredictability and excitement that the FA Cup brings, he suggested that the fixture will be a closely contested battle between two formidable sides.

While Arsenal may be facing a challenging period in the league, Seaman’s prediction hints at the resilience and strength they still possess. With the timing of the fixture aligning with the FA Cup spirit, fans can expect an intriguing showdown, and Mikel Arteta’s potential decision to go near full-strength for Liverpool’s visit adds an extra layer of anticipation to what promises to be a thrilling encounter.