This
fixture could not have come at a better time for Liverpool than for Arsenal.
With a busy scheduling period in front of us, Arsene Wenger was rightly
irritated by the timing in which his side had to play Liverpool and Manchester
United in a matter of just 4 days. This match is as important for Liverpool as
for Arsenal as both the teams are fighting it hard to shrug of their doubters already
this season.
Liverpool
were a formidable force when they last time faced the gunners in November. They
were cruising at that time, but in that fixture their winning streak was forced
a major halt, thanks to Arsenal, who became only the first side in the Premier
league against which Liverpool didn’t scored in the presence of SAS.
What
comes their way then could be again repeated this Saturday. Midfield battle
will be the key and with key man Lucas out due to injury and with an out of
form Coutinho, Liverpool squad look bleak, if not on ground than certainly on
paper. So it won’t be foolish if Allen gets a nod in front of the Brazilian to
start.
One
thing Liverpool could rely on is their passing movement, in the last couple of
matches they have followed the Counter Attacking football. Although that style
of play granted them goals, but that also kept them at back foot, before the
arrival of first goal.
With
no one on the bench to look for, Brendan Rodgers has to make sure that the Plan
A he employs at the starting whistle should be enough to see his side through,
they don’t have any game changers on the bench, they have the quality that
could see the match through instead of winning it, so it all depends upon
whether Rodgers’ get it right at the start.
Most
interesting thing in this battle is the strength and weakness of both teams. If
long balls are the weakness of Liverpool to defend, Arsenal certainly have the
quality to defend better against the through balls.
They
say when you are winning, almost anything that happens could be claimed as
right and wise. With all due respect, this is more than a truth for Arsenal,
anybody who watched that Crystal Palace game and their draw against Southampton
could claim that both of those teams had a handful of chances that any quality
opposition will not let go begging.
Arsenal
haven’t lost a match in which both Mertesacker and Koscielny have started this
season. But keeping in minds this duo hasn’t faced the wrath of United or City
away from home, this is more than a test for the IMMOVABLE force that Arsenal
have in their defense.
Arsenal’s
recent record at Anfield is more than amusing for the gunners. They have lost
just once out of last 13 against the reds, and with injury affected Liverpool
team in front of them, this stat looks slightly secure come the start of match.
Out
of the 58 goals that Liverpool have scored this season, only two have been
scored against the likes of the current big four, and against a team who had
kept you quiet in the first term, they will be looking more of this to agitate
the doubters.
Arsenal
will be playing a more defensive than attacking approach to be honest, Arteta
could easily be the man to serve as the third defender with Per and Koscielny.
With the slow paced yet accurately positioned German, they will not be looking
to go all out against the 2nd most prolific goal scoring side in the Premier League at the moment in front of goal.
So
it’s a battle of who’s gonna score the first goal. If Liverpool gets a goal
which they are more likely to get in the early stages of the first half, this
match can turn out to be a cracker depending upon their weak defensive line.
However, If Arsenal gets an early nudge, then a replay of November fixture
looks more than likely.
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