Arsenal out to close gap on Liverpool, Lampard seeks first win

Early Premier League leaders Liverpool and Arsenal face-off, while Frank Lampard is under pressure to deliver his first win as Chelsea boss at Norwich on Saturday.

One of the only two remaining 100 percent records in the Premier League will go at Anfield where the European champions will hope to continue a fine recent record against the north Londoners.

Jurgen Klopp has never lost in seven previous Premier League meetings against Arsenal and his side have beaten the Gunners 4-0 and 5-1 at home in the past two seasons.

However, Unai Emery's outfit are hoping a busy summer in the transfer window, while Liverpool did not strengthen, will have significantly narrowed the 27-point gap between the sides last season.

Emery could hand a first start to ?72 million ($87 million) club record signing Nicolas Pepe, while on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos earned rave reviews by creating both goals on his full debut against Burnley last weekend.

However, it is at the back Arsenal need a drastic improvement and there is an early opportunity for veteran centre-back David Luiz to make his mark by halting the free-scoring trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, who combined for all five Liverpool goals when the sides last met.

"A lot of times in my life I had sensational players always (but) not world-class players," Klopp told Liverpool's website.

"Now, thank God I have them and they make the difference. Sadio Mane, Bobby Firmino, Mo Salah - these guys in the last situation are really outstanding."
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Fixtures (1400GMT unless stated)
Friday
Aston Villa v Everton (1900)
Saturday
Norwich v Chelsea (1130), Brighton v Southampton, Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Sheffield United v Leicester, Watford v West Ham, Liverpool v Arsenal (1630)
Sunday