Arsenal and Liverpool have developed a goal-heavy modern rivalry.
Two teams happy to throw any defensive concerns on the back burner as they try to force a victory will surely provide us with another classic this weekend. On the opening weekend of this Premier League season it finished 4-3 with Liverpool the eventual victors as Jurgen Klopp’s side set the tone for their campaign.
The Gunners have had several peaks and troughs in their season since that opening day embarrassment. Arsene Wenger has been faced fan protests, they’ve had a controversial FA Cup tie marred by a pie-eating scandal and their annual drubbing from Bayern Munich. All that is left in their season is the faint hope of a top four finish and lifting the FA Cup once again.
Wenger made mistakes last time he faced Klopp’s side. In true Wenger fashion he will probably make the same mistakes again, but there’s always a chance he will change his ways, isn’t there?
Change is Okay, Arsene
Maybe, just maybe, sitting deep against Liverpool would be a good idea.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have only suffered defeat against bottom half teams this season and that is because they are the sides who have been willing to sit deep, absorb pressure, and attack quickly.
Arsene Wenger has suffered for season after season with failing to adapt his side.
His teams have all too often been exposed up the pitch and he cannot afford to do that once again with his job on the line. His full-backs must be more conservative and they cannot leave the same space behind their defence or Sadio Mane will rip them apart.
Targeted Attack
With Lucas Leiva in line to start in central defence once again, Arsenal must target him. While Ragnar Klavan had a torrid time in their 4-3 earlier in the season, Leiva – who was terrorised by Jamie Vardy on Monday night – is a prime target for the runs of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott.
Liverpool’s defence is only one good pass away from self-destruction. One perfectly threaded ball to Walcott will have their defenders back peddling and shaky for the rest of the match. With Clyne and Matip marshalling the right of their defence, Arsenal’s right flank is the area to focus on. It could bring three, rich, rewarding points.
Time for Gibbs
Nacho Monreal has experienced a dip in form over the last few weeks and the ageing Spaniard will be a target for Sadio Mane and Nathaniel Clyne.
He was not any more culpable than anyone else last time between these two teams, but his lack of pace puts him at threat against the quickest flank in the Premier League.
Gibbs is a defensive liability at times himself, but if Arsenal are going to give space to Clyne and Mane, they need to have a man who can cover the ground to avoid it becoming a free-for-all down their left hand side.