Thursday 11 August 2016 3:20 pm

Premier League betting: Absent Arsenal players will give Liverpool reasons to be cheerful

The first match of the season is a time for optimism, with all football fans dreaming that this could be their year.

Sometimes those dreams even come true – just ask Leicester.

Such hopefulness is thin on the ground at Arsenal, however, with supporters fearing the club has gone backwards over the summer.

Chelsea, Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs have all strengthened significantly – both on and off the pitch.

While Granit Xhaka looks to be a good signing, the only other player through the doors at the Emirates is 20-year-old Rob Holding, a defender from Bolton.

With Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel all not fit for Sunday’s opener against Liverpool, Holding will be thrown in at the deep end in a makeshift back line.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, on the other hand, come into the game brimming with confidence for the year ahead.

Money has been spent to improve a squad that almost won two cups last year, with Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum the eye-catching additions.

Pre-season form has been excellent, and Liverpool’s spectacular 4-0 win over Barcelona at Wembley has given Reds fans plenty of cheer.

As a result, I like the look of Betway’s 11/5 about Liverpool beating Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal have a tendency to start the season cold – they lost 2-0 at home to West Ham last year and 3-1 to Aston Villa in 2013.

Arsene Wenger has given key players like Koscielny, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud extra time off after the Euros – a decision that may pay off in the long run but leaves them vulnerable on Sunday.

You can also take advantage of Betway’s opening weekend offer, where they are refunding all losing correct score and goalscorer bets if the match ends in a draw.

This clash last year finished 0-0, but it is very much the exception to a fixture that usually guarantees goals.

The last seven league meetings between these two have produced 27 in fact, including a 3-3 draw at Anfield in January.

I suggest buying total goals at 2.75 with Sporting Index.