18 Yard Box looks at three key battles on the pitch that might change the game.
Two teams, both of whom seem to have left their glory days to the past, battle to get back to the same stage. As the race for the Champions League place hots up, this battle comes at a very crucial period of the season. Arsenal play Liverpool at the Emirates and here we look at the key battles that will decide the tie.
The game has a lot of sub plots as well but in the end the game could well hinge on who has a greater hunger to win. Time will tell.
Written By,
Vinay Prabhakar and Rishabh Ghai
Also read our the preview of the match by clicking here.
Two teams, both of whom seem to have left their glory days to the past, battle to get back to the same stage. As the race for the Champions League place hots up, this battle comes at a very crucial period of the season. Arsenal play Liverpool at the Emirates and here we look at the key battles that will decide the tie.
Thomas Vermaelen v/s Luis Suarez
|
 |
Even though the Dutchman at Old Trafford hogs all the right headlines, Suarez has been incredibly good this season. After Michael Owen did it years back, Suarez is the first liverpool striker to have scored more than 20 goals at this stage of the season. Luis continues to silence a lot of his critics with his performances on the pitch. Brilliant in turning, picking up balls from the deep, running at the defence and scoring long rangers, Suarez has everything in his kitty to trouble the Arsenal centre backs. But having said this, Arsenal have got the better out of him in the past two occasions.
Thomas Vermaelen has had a strange season. Ever since he has been handed the captain's arm band, he has had an on off performance. When good, he has been very good and when bad, he has been waytoo average. The crucial thing from an Arsenal perspective is, he is getting the consistency and performances back. The lunging tackles, last minute interceptions and a huge header of the ball, Vermalen's dynamism is hugely required and he might be key to stop Suarez
This would have been a close contest but with the kind for form Suarez is in and with Vermaelen coming back from an injury, the Liverpool hitman is the favourite in this contest comfortably. However, Vermaelen has been getting the better out of the Uruguayan international and this could ultimately boil down to who has more will to win the tie.
|
Olivier Giroud v/s Daniel Agger
|
 |
The Frenchman is running riot in the opposition defence off lately. 4 goals in 2 games has seen him be the leader of the Arsenal attack. His excellent hold up, a decent running speed and a steel-like left foot has seen him score 13 goals in Arsenal colours in only his first season. When he came, many doubted but ever since his early barren spell for the Gunners, he has never looked back. However, he will be against a quality defender and his real test will be then.
Daniel Agger has been Liverpool's best defender so far. Great in heading and tackling, the defender has all the characteristics of making a Premier League great. However, his form has dropped but when at his best he can break up the best of attacks. Liverpool will look at this talisman to help solve their defensive problems and solve their inconsistancy.
The two gentlemen will have a close encounter between them when they take the field on Wednesday night. Form backs Olivier Giroud whereas experience of having more Premier League games under his belt backs Agger. Giroud might just lose out here when it comes to outrunning his opponent. However, his menacing headers needs to be kept under check. All in all it is a tough one to to call and they might end the night on equals
|
Jack Wilshere v/s Steven Gerrard
|
 |
Jack Wilshere has come back and how. People tend to forget he has come of an injury after 20 months and it seems as if it never happened. The passion and the never say die attitude that defines him makes him cut above the rest. With a more advanced role in the set up, Jack has shown his creative side with aplomb. Getting his burst back, Wilshere's eye for picking out a perfect pass and his ability to run at the defence with such ease has left many in awe. However, inexperienced still, Wilshere needs to keep his head cool when he goes against the Stevie G. The student still has to learn alot. Steven Gerrard is Liverpool. He is there everywhere. He gives it all every single game and and he is the driving force for a Liverpool team which continues to look up to him everytime. In this game he goes against a player, who has himself admitted Gerrard to be his idol. Gerrard, in his prime used to torment the defence. But now his job is to sit back and others to the talking on the field. A true leader on the pitch, Steven Gerrard's eye for a 'Hollywood Ball' has been the one to watch out for everyone when he steps on the field. This is to close to call but for once one may feel that the prodigy may out shine his illustrious idol. |
The game has a lot of sub plots as well but in the end the game could well hinge on who has a greater hunger to win. Time will tell.
Written By,
Vinay Prabhakar and Rishabh Ghai
Also read our the preview of the match by clicking here.
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International (all English editions) and an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box .
Vinay is a writer for 18 Yard Box.
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
No comments:
Post a Comment