The Gunners return to Liverpool's den on Sunday to take on the Merseysiders. 18 Yard Box's Rishabh Ghai analyzes the high profile clash between the two Premier League giants.
Van Persie's thunderous volley won it for Arsenal last time they visited Ainfield. Alex Song's pick was one to savour for as the duo had combined yet again to produce a replica of a goal they combined to score against the Liverpool's rivals Everton. With Van Persie and Alex Song both changing loyalties this year, Arsenal will have to dig in deep if they want to repeat their last year's heroics.
The arrival of Brendon Rodgers has caused a sense of uncertainty in the Liverpool camp as to where the club is heading to. However their performance against City showed that on their day Liverpool can give a fight to any team in the world.
18 Yard Box compares the two teams and gives its verdict as to who will come out on tops.
Arrival of Brendon Rodgers from Swansea City has seen Liverpool fans get excited. Although a commendable work was done by the former Reading manager at Swansea, managing the Merseyside will be a different ball game. However, Liverpool fans will have a grin on their faces with the coming of Nuri Sahin on loan from Real Madrid. The Turkish midfielder has been a long time Arsenal target but Wenger has failed to sign him yet again seeing him seek refuge in the Liverpool camp for first team opportunities- A small victory which Liverpool fans will boast about. However great work has to be done, if Liverpool are to defeat the sturdy Arsenal defence.
Strengths:
Liverpool's strength is in Gerrard and Suarez. Ever since the departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, Luis Suarez has taken over the goal scoring mantel from the Spaniard. Arguably one of the best strikers in the Premier League, Suarez showed his class by scoring a long range free kick against Manchester City last weekend. He will surely be the man to watch out for the Arsenal defence. Although Gerrard was less than impressive in the last game, 'Mr. Liverpool' has always risen to the occasion in big games. Another positive for Liverpool is their new recruit Sahin. He might just be the man that Liverpool were looking for to fill in the void created by Xabi Alonso's departure. Moreover the Turkish midfielder will look to prove Wenger wrong by giving a good performance.
Weakness:
Liverpool' defence is their concern. Normally a top defensive unit, a 3-0 thumping by a meagre West Brom followed by a disappointing 2-2 draw against City has seen Liverpool struggle in defence this season. Although flashes of brilliance were shown at the back, the Liverpool defence lacks consistency. Joe Allen has to do a little more to help the last four and has left them vulnerable to counter-attacks quite often.
Importance of a win:
Liverpool need the win more than Arsenal if they are to begin their journey to restore their glory days back at the club. Brendan Rodgers would like to prove that he is no one season miracle and he is more than capable of handling a big club. Liverpool's hunt for next season's Champions League spot may receive a heavy set back were they to lose against the Gunners.
It has been almost two weeks since Van Persie has departed Arsenal. However the ghost of his departure has not left the Gunners. Having played two 0-0 stalemates against Sunderland and Stoke City in the first two Premier League fixtures, Arsenal are languishing in the bottom half of the table. The Gunners' cavalry has not yet risen to the occasion. Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have certainly looked impressive but are still finding their feet in the fast paced nature of the Premier League. Moreover, with the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona, Arsenal's summer seems to going from bad worse. Arsene Wenger will do well to start with Giroud, Podolski and Gervinho upfront with Walcott's contract talks on the verge of a breakdown.
Strengths:
Its unusual to say that Arsenal's strength lies in its defence so far. Its been long time since Arsenal have managed to keep a clean sheet for two consecutive games and the recruitment of Steve Bould as assistant manager might bring the days of 'One nil to the Arsenal' back again. In Per Mertersacker and Thomas Vermaelen Arsenal have found a sturdy centre back combination. Carl Jenkinson has looked impressive in defence and Kieran Gibbs has taken over from Gael Clichy. Arsenal's defense will only be strengthened by the come back of Laurent Koscielny who has been excellent so far.
Weakness:
Arsenal's frontline looks to be lacking match fitness. Although gifted with the choice of two prolific goal scorers, Arsenal have been unable to open their account for the season. Cazorla looks like he could be the man to end Arsenal's temporary goal-scoring drought but has been ineffective so far. Arsenal's midfield of Diaby and Arteta look good but are reliant on being a little more defensive this term. This has left Cazorla the lone attacking midfielder and make sit easy for the teams to dispossess him.
Importance of a win:
Arsenal need to better their previous season. With fans getting frustrated with the board's transfer policies, pressure will be on the team to deliver. Arsenal's start has although looked slow but still their passing has looked quite sharp. A win against Liverpool is definitely needed to keep up the pace with Chelsea. If Arsenal fail to win then they might face the possibility of a Deja Vu of last season all over again.
Liverpool's arrivals have shown less promise than Arsenal's. Moreover, the Gunners look to edge the Liverpool in terms of quality. However, Liverpool have got what Arsenal havent- Luis Suarez. The little Uruguayan had troubled Arsenal last time the two teams met and will look to do it again. The game will be highly open as Rodgers and Wenger follow the same brand of 'beautiful football'. If recent history were to be seen a 1-1 draw seems to be a fair result.
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh Ghai is a contributor for Goal.com India and an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box.
Van Persie's thunderous volley won it for Arsenal last time they visited Ainfield. Alex Song's pick was one to savour for as the duo had combined yet again to produce a replica of a goal they combined to score against the Liverpool's rivals Everton. With Van Persie and Alex Song both changing loyalties this year, Arsenal will have to dig in deep if they want to repeat their last year's heroics.
The arrival of Brendon Rodgers has caused a sense of uncertainty in the Liverpool camp as to where the club is heading to. However their performance against City showed that on their day Liverpool can give a fight to any team in the world.
18 Yard Box compares the two teams and gives its verdict as to who will come out on tops.
Liverpool
Arrival of Brendon Rodgers from Swansea City has seen Liverpool fans get excited. Although a commendable work was done by the former Reading manager at Swansea, managing the Merseyside will be a different ball game. However, Liverpool fans will have a grin on their faces with the coming of Nuri Sahin on loan from Real Madrid. The Turkish midfielder has been a long time Arsenal target but Wenger has failed to sign him yet again seeing him seek refuge in the Liverpool camp for first team opportunities- A small victory which Liverpool fans will boast about. However great work has to be done, if Liverpool are to defeat the sturdy Arsenal defence.
Strengths:
Liverpool's strength is in Gerrard and Suarez. Ever since the departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, Luis Suarez has taken over the goal scoring mantel from the Spaniard. Arguably one of the best strikers in the Premier League, Suarez showed his class by scoring a long range free kick against Manchester City last weekend. He will surely be the man to watch out for the Arsenal defence. Although Gerrard was less than impressive in the last game, 'Mr. Liverpool' has always risen to the occasion in big games. Another positive for Liverpool is their new recruit Sahin. He might just be the man that Liverpool were looking for to fill in the void created by Xabi Alonso's departure. Moreover the Turkish midfielder will look to prove Wenger wrong by giving a good performance.
Weakness:
Liverpool' defence is their concern. Normally a top defensive unit, a 3-0 thumping by a meagre West Brom followed by a disappointing 2-2 draw against City has seen Liverpool struggle in defence this season. Although flashes of brilliance were shown at the back, the Liverpool defence lacks consistency. Joe Allen has to do a little more to help the last four and has left them vulnerable to counter-attacks quite often.
Importance of a win:
Liverpool need the win more than Arsenal if they are to begin their journey to restore their glory days back at the club. Brendan Rodgers would like to prove that he is no one season miracle and he is more than capable of handling a big club. Liverpool's hunt for next season's Champions League spot may receive a heavy set back were they to lose against the Gunners.
Head to Head
|
|
Liverpool
|
Arsenal
|
|
Wins
|
5
|
13
|
|
Losses
|
13
|
5
|
|
Draws
|
9
|
9
|
|
Goals
per match
|
1.4
|
1.6
|
Arsenal
It has been almost two weeks since Van Persie has departed Arsenal. However the ghost of his departure has not left the Gunners. Having played two 0-0 stalemates against Sunderland and Stoke City in the first two Premier League fixtures, Arsenal are languishing in the bottom half of the table. The Gunners' cavalry has not yet risen to the occasion. Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have certainly looked impressive but are still finding their feet in the fast paced nature of the Premier League. Moreover, with the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona, Arsenal's summer seems to going from bad worse. Arsene Wenger will do well to start with Giroud, Podolski and Gervinho upfront with Walcott's contract talks on the verge of a breakdown.
Strengths:
Its unusual to say that Arsenal's strength lies in its defence so far. Its been long time since Arsenal have managed to keep a clean sheet for two consecutive games and the recruitment of Steve Bould as assistant manager might bring the days of 'One nil to the Arsenal' back again. In Per Mertersacker and Thomas Vermaelen Arsenal have found a sturdy centre back combination. Carl Jenkinson has looked impressive in defence and Kieran Gibbs has taken over from Gael Clichy. Arsenal's defense will only be strengthened by the come back of Laurent Koscielny who has been excellent so far.
Weakness:
Arsenal's frontline looks to be lacking match fitness. Although gifted with the choice of two prolific goal scorers, Arsenal have been unable to open their account for the season. Cazorla looks like he could be the man to end Arsenal's temporary goal-scoring drought but has been ineffective so far. Arsenal's midfield of Diaby and Arteta look good but are reliant on being a little more defensive this term. This has left Cazorla the lone attacking midfielder and make sit easy for the teams to dispossess him.
Importance of a win:
Arsenal need to better their previous season. With fans getting frustrated with the board's transfer policies, pressure will be on the team to deliver. Arsenal's start has although looked slow but still their passing has looked quite sharp. A win against Liverpool is definitely needed to keep up the pace with Chelsea. If Arsenal fail to win then they might face the possibility of a Deja Vu of last season all over again.
The Verdict
Liverpool's arrivals have shown less promise than Arsenal's. Moreover, the Gunners look to edge the Liverpool in terms of quality. However, Liverpool have got what Arsenal havent- Luis Suarez. The little Uruguayan had troubled Arsenal last time the two teams met and will look to do it again. The game will be highly open as Rodgers and Wenger follow the same brand of 'beautiful football'. If recent history were to be seen a 1-1 draw seems to be a fair result.
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh Ghai is a contributor for Goal.com India and an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box.
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