Arsenal v Liverpool Preview

Bench: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Monreal, Ryo, Rosicky, Bendtner;

Can't believe not even Gnabry is available on the right flank

Especially against Liverpool's 3 man defence we could've done with some defence stretching. Wouldn't count on our defence keeping a clean sheet, so some more goals are going to be needed (Ramsey, Giroud pls), especially scoring first will be important. It's been a while since Cazorla has scored, maybe him?

Anyway, will be a good match as usual, so let's start these hard fixtures with 3 points... UTA!

Tough game, losing 3 games in a row at home is not an option. Its time to show the EPL we are here to stay at the top of the table and beat Liverpool. We must Defend Well, not sure about Mert vs Suarez and Sturridge. Maybe Vermaelen might start?

Urban what happened to Gnabry?

------------------Szczesny
Sagna------Koscielny----Vermaelen---- Gibbs
----------------Arteta-------Ramsey
Wilshere----------Özil----------------Cazorla
---------------------Giroud

------------------Szczesny
Monreal------Koscielny----Sagna---- Gibbs
----------------Arteta-------Ramsey
Wilshere----------Özil----------------Cazorla
---------------------Giroud

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/team-news-who-could-face-liverpool-

Arsène Wenger revealed the following team news ahead of the Premier League game against Liverpool:

on the team news…
Basically we have just Arteta back because he was suspended. Gnabry, who was not available for Tuesday, will not be available again, and all the other long-term injuries are not back - Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski, Diaby.

Not sure what his injury is, but he's not available for tomorrow, unfortunately.

without Walcott or Gnabry this team would struggle if we play narrow against that 3 CB defence.. only thing which makes us dangerous is that deadly movement and interchanging of positions among the front 3 midfielders..
i would drop Cazorla in the bench and start with Wilshere, Ozil and Rosicky with Arteta-Ramsey double pivot..

This is another interesting game, tactically. We don't often come up against teams who play three at the back and I think we'll find it difficult to play against.

The most obvious weakness of three at the back is the space down the sides. You have to get in behind the wing backs and drag the outside centre backs out to create space in the penalty area. As we don't have any natural width in the side at the moment and are currently playing a narrow attack, a lot of play tends to end up going through the centre and that's going to be tough against three centre backs, two wing backs dropping in to make it a five plus two midfielders. So it'll be very important that we get runners into wide positions - Özil will be especially important for this.

It'll also be interesting to see if we press their defenders or not. Usually, we tend to stand off opposition defenders, but Liverpool will have an extra man back there and will be able to recycle possession in deep areas easier. I don't think their centre backs are that good on the ball, and feel that if we can nick the ball in advanced areas, we'll be able to catch them when their wing backs have pushed up the field. On the other hand, we'll have to push up the backline to do that, and that'll invite long balls over the top for Suarez and Sturridge.

The most important thing, though, regardless of how we approach this tactically, is to ensure we don't make any silly errors and gift Liverpool a goal. We did it twice against Dortmund and once against Chelsea and ended up having to chase both games. I'm confident that our regular back four won't make any needless mistakes, but it's something the whole team needs to be wary of.

I'm not too worried about Mertesacker. People were concerned when we played them at Anfield last season but Suarez only beat him once one-on-one the whole game. Arsenal will try and limit the number of one-on-one opportunities Suarez and Sturridge will have against our defenders and won't let Mertesacker get isolated. I'm confident of that much.

I've a feeling this will end up a draw.

Our midfield 3 of Gerrard, Lucas, Hendo lines up like so


It sort of deviates from anyone of the 3 leaving their defensive duties. As opposed to if we were playing an AM like Cou or Moses then it would just be the double pivots doing most of the defensive work in midfield.

That starting line up Samuelj has is probably the most likely but with a slight change like I pointed out.

Completely agree with Jay that it is a very interesting match tactically. The last time we played against a team with 3 at the back was Wigan. And we kinda struggled with them doing so. They didn't have players which Liverpool does as well, although they had martinez.

In any case, really wish we had Walcott and Flamini for this game. Specially Walcott. Even Gnabry would have been ok. Cissokho isn't a good defender. and with him playing as a Wing back, theo would have had a field day. But that's all in theory. Pitch will be pretty crowded in the middle tomorrow, with 5 of our midfielders and 3 of theirs. There will be space on the wings but we won't be able to do anything with it with Wilshere and Cazorla on the wings. Or Ramsey.

Ozil will be important obviously. Think Wilshere's form has been pretty good lately and i expect him to shine tomorrow too. Not sure where Arsene will play Ramsey. It can be next to Arteta where it should be, or if Arsene has one of those moments then he will use Ramsey as the RW with Wilshere as the B2B. Not that our midfielders really have a set position. Thankfully Gibbs and Sagna had a good rest in midweek so they will be fresh.

Sturridge and Suarez needs to be contained. Coutinho might play but lets hope he is rusty.

Scoring first is important. Liverpool will make it 5 at the back with Lucas right with them while defending and we all know how that will go.


-------------------------------Szczesny------------------------------
Sagna-------------Mertesacker--------------Koscielny-----------Gibbs
----------------Ramsey----------------Arteta------------------------
---------Wilshere----------Ozil------------------Cazorla--------------
-------------------------Giroud---------------------------------------

Talent is ridiculous but not the right personnel

Going with a 3-1 win to us

On a similar note, i won't mind Rosicky starting over Wilshere. Rosicky is brilliant at quickening the pace and he has always linked up well with Ozil. Or we can bring Cazorla from the bench who is still yet to find his sharpness

an interesting option to lay Monreal as LW to provide width against the 3 man defence.. he advances well and is relatively a better crosser in the squad.. but is this the stage to try it.. probably not..

The problem with starting Ramsey next to Arteta is it leaves our most offensively prolific player in a more defensive role. Putting Wilshere as the B2B is an awkward position for him as he sometimes struggles between attacking and the transition to shielding the back four. His form up front has been much improved recently so hopefully that translates to goals.

Excellent preview, Sam.

Great work Sam

Given that some cetain players are missed to add depth to attack and shield defence and cover up spaces

how our FullBacks perform can be decisive on both ends

just saw some Chart (from opta on from article analyzing Southampton defence)  that us and LFC conceded least quality chances to oppositions so far this season

Spoiler:

hopefully Koscielny brings his A Game as well

our best chances will come from quick combinations  or forcing errors high up the pitch
in both cases Rosicky would be Helpful as Jay and RG Pointed

Of all #LFC opponents last season, #Arsenal at the Emirates had the most: Shots in the box (11), Final 3rd passes (219) and Possession (62%)@DanKennett

crucial we score 1st and then control space this time

Up the Gunners
Lets do this

Ramsey on the wing is just as useless then... we need to play our most in form players in their NATURAL positions so we make the most of their form.

With Jack out it's not gonna matter then. Cazorla on the right, Özil on the left and Super Tom in the middle. Arteta + Ramsey pivot. Simples.

With Flamini and the wide attacking players out, and a bump in form & momentum, I'm a little nervous for this one. Liverpool are cresting a wave.

On the other hand, shouldn't there be some probability that we don't lose at home to a big team again?

we have been losing too many home matches in the last few years, for whatever reasons..
rumours that Wilshere is injured and out.. any updates on the team ?

Did a bit of research:

Arsène Wenger's Premier League home record v Liverpool:

96/97: 1-2
97/98: 0-1
98/99: 0-0
99/00: 0-1
00/01: 2-0
01/02: 1-1
02/03: 1-1
03/04: 4-2
04/05: 3-1
05/06: 2-1
06/07: 3-0
07/08: 1-1
08/09: 1-1
09/10: 1-0
10/11: 1-1
11/12: 0-2
12/13: 2-2

P17 W6 D7 L4 F23 A17

Not the best record. But still decent.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BYEKFygIQAAlQsJ.jpg

Arsenal must win this game to show that this season they really mean to compete for the league!

I regret I wont be able to watch this

live stream anyone ? where do you guys watch matches online ?

sree999 wrote:live stream anyone ? where do you guys watch matches online ?

Check your PM.

Missed that match.... :/