18 Yard Box has a look at the mega mid week clash between the two EPL giants.
The Reds, 7th
in the league, visit the Emirates midway through a patchy and inconsistent
league season for both the teams.
In the
previous September fixture at the Anfield, new signings Lukas Podolski and
Santi Cazorla had led the Gunners to a commanding win, assisting each other in
either half. Abou Diaby returned as a rock in the midfield and picked up the
match ball. Barring a clumsy Mertesacker challenge on Suarez and an unmarked
Agger, the strong Gunner defence did nothing wrong and kept a clean sheet. Post that match however, the two teams were afflicted by the bane of
inconsistency. With just one loss being the difference between the two, the
match will surely be a cracking one between the erstwhile giants. For each of
them, the fixture marks a relatively testing time domestically and on the
European circuit.
18 Yard Box's Abhishek has a look at the clash and determines the outcome.
Signings
and Injury Update
 |
| Arteta (maybe) and Vermaelen return whereas Glen Johnson also makes a comeback |
While
Arsenal have predictably made no signing in the January window, Liverpool have
got Daniel Sturridge to share Suarez’s burden. They have also brought in Inter
Milan’s Brazilian midfielder Coutinho. With Arsenal going through all sorts of
phases, from insipid to sublime, the aura of unpredictability hangs around the
Gunners. Both teams have major relief in terms of the players returning from
injuries. Captain Vermaelen and his deputy Mikel Arteta (not 100%) are set to return to
duty after missing 1 and 4 matches respectively. With Abou Diaby also fit,
Arsenal’s defence has lesser worries as of now, barring Bacary Sagna’s recent
indifferent form. Liverpool meanwhile see Glen Johnson’s return.
Arsenal
Considering their power packed performace against West Ham in the league recently, this should be an easy game for the gunners. Although the previous encounter saw Gunners taking 3 points, the clash, in reality, was not as easy. Liverpool will be wounded by their shamful FA Cup exit at the hands of Oldham and the Gunners will have to be weary of the Liverpool firepower.
Strengths
 |
| He poses a major threat to the Liverpool defence. |
Arsenal has
its strength right in the heart of the midfield. Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere,
Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey (as against WHU), Abou Diaby (if fit), may not be
names that generate awe all the time, but going by their performances, this is
a midfield to die for. Add the left flank chemistry of Podolski and Gibbs, and
we have a really strong set of providers. Up front, Walcott seems determined to
justify his wish to be a striker while Frenchman Giroud grows in confidence,
providing key passes, lofted balls and devastating power with his left foot.
Weaknesses
 |
| Bac needs to get back in form |
While the
left flank has been quite outstanding for the Gunners, the same can’t be said
for the right flank. Bacary Sagna isn’t in his true self, while Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain has failed to impress like last season. Theo Walcott too has
shown a tinge of selfishness, which becomes notable in losses. Giroud is good up front but only in fits and
starts, when he deals in 2s and 3s. The defence is not a weakness in the truest
sense, but it has not showed the same promise that it showed at the start of
the season. But perhaps the biggest problem is inconsistency. One can never
be sure which Arsenal will turn up for a
game: the one which drubbed the Reds 2-0 and put seven past Newcastle or the
one that lost at home to Swansea, unable to contain Michu. The malaise has been
such that Arsenal have also put in radically different performances in 2
halves of the same game as was seen against Chelsea.
Importance
of the Win
A win will take the Gunners to 5th
place provided Everton lose or draw, boosting their Champions League place
fight. Any other result will no doubt hamper their chances. The Londoners must
take the initiative if they are to participate in the elite competition for the
17th time in succession.
Liverpool
Considering
the playing style that Rodgers is trying to enforce at Anfield, not much
differentiates the 2 teams. The same show of grit when under dire
circumstances, spirited efforts even in losing causes, blips against teams from
lower divisions, it is quite the same story.
Strengths
 |
| The deadly duo could wreck havoc in any team's defence |
Former Ajax man Luis Suarez has been the one
player in the team every opponent is wary of. With clinical displays in front
of the goal, he has relished the service from the midfield. Young star Raheem
Sterling has impressed right through the season. The addition of a striker like
Sturridge has filled, at least temporarily, the void in the Reds frontline. Gerrard
and company have recovered well from Liverpool’s worst start to a season since
1962, and are surely looking more assured of themselves and the new passing
style that Rodgers has brought.
Weakness
 |
| The two need to get their rythm back |
Oddly
enough, inspite of having top class defenders in Daniel Agger and Skrtel, the
defence is a big worry for Liverpool. Jose Enrique was giving his all on the
field, and he had the penchant for a foray upfield too. But injury to him has
certainly been a severe blow to the defence, which has conceded 28 times in the
league. Against Oldham, simple regulation crosses were not handled with. Add to
it their inconsistency, and there is another team which is uncertain about
itself during matches. No wonder, the Reds have managed to hold champions City,
Chelsea and Everton but also lost to the likes of relegation threatened Aston
Villa. Moreover, inspite of their transfer window signings, Liverpool’s attack
without Suarez, if he gets injured, won’t inspire the same confidence,
notwithstanding the presence of Sturridge.
Another department which concerns the Reds is that of the goalkeeping one. Where Reina has been performing poorly, Bradley Jones isnt having the time of his life either. A costly error from the young Jones costed Liverpool the game against Oldham. However, Reina too has let in too many goals for his repetua and rumours suggest that he could be on his way out.
Importance
of a win
A win will
take the Reds level with Arsenal on points, though they won’t change positions.
A top-4 finish looks unlikely for them this season too, but a win is a win, and
against old foes Arsenal it might just revive their season.
The Final
Verdict
On paper the
younger Arsenal teams seems to be a nudge ahead of Liverpool. A 2-1 scoreline
in their favour seems probable, but so does a spirited draw between the two. A close game could with plenty of chances being created is on quite on the cards.
Written By,
Abhishek Karandikar
Abhishek is a writer for 18 Yard Box.
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