In terms of points on the board, it is so far so good Liverpool after consecutive wins against Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth, but though it is a results business, the Merseyside club will need a much-improved display if they wish to get another victory at the Emirates. With two clean sheets it would appear that the team has improved defensively, and so it has, but regardless of that both Stoke and Bournemouth had chances to get on the scoresheet, and indeed Liverpool were lucky that Tommy Elphick’s goal was softly ruled out last week.
Offensively Christian Benteke will have given Rodgers cause for some optimism in his fairly dominant display last week where it was after all his goal which saw off Bournemouth. He will have to put in another good showing, too, if Liverpool are to be successful. His hold up play will be key to help reverse any periods of dominance by the Gunners, and of course his aerial threat may well come in handy against a defence which, despite Mertesacker’s presence, has struggled against such players before.
More concerning, for Rodgers though, is the lack of any real end product from both Adam Lallana and Jordon Ibe so far this campaign. It may be permissible for a young 19 year old still finding his feet in the game but Liverpool fans have a right to expect more from the £25 million-pound signing Lallana, who has now had a season to adjust to the club. For this reason some may be hoping for the full debut of Brazilian international Roberto Firmino in place of one the aforementioned wide players. With defensive protection key though, Rodgers may opt to keep the English pair in his starting eleven due to the fact they are likely fitter right now and perhaps more likely to support their full backs as a result of this.
It is for this need to be defensively mindful that James Milner has a vital role to play, especially if Henderson is not deemed match fit. Once again the key tactical talking point surrounds Emre Can. Rodgers may well elect to give him his first start of the season alongside Milner and another central player in order to pack out the midfield. Though unlikely, it could even be logical to place Lucas behind them, as the thought of Alexis Sanchez or Theo Walcott for instance running one vs one against Dejan Lovren is not a welcome one for Liverpool supporters.
The reality is that this Arsenal side is one with more technical excellence and possession proficiency than Brendan Rodgers’ men. As such it will be vital to stifle their midfield as much as possible and frustrate their talented playmakers on a regular basis. West Ham showed it could be done, and they also highlighted the vulnerability of Arsenal, though of course it is unlikely the hosts will be so poor again.
Liverpool players in dreamland
(LiverpoolFC.TV)
It is a big game for Brendan Rodgers. Winning the first two games of the season has unquestionably helped ease the pressure that heaped upon him last season, but if Liverpool are to have a great season, displays against other big teams simply have to improve, especially away from home. Rodgers’ record in away games against top teams since joining the club is cause for concern, and now it is time for him to show he is capable of getting big results in such circumstances.
Interesting pre-match statistics:
Arsenal vs Liverpool fixtures have produced more hat-tricks than any other clash in premier league history – 5.
Arsenal have only lost one out of their last seven league games against Liverpool
Liverpool have only allowed three shots on target against them so far this season, the best in the league.
There has not been a scoreless game between the clubs since 1999.
Liverpool only took one point from their four away fixtures against last season’s top four.
Referee Michael Oliver, who is in charge of the game, has overseen 11 prior Arsenal league games, in which they have won only two and lost five.
Likely Line ups:
Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis; Giroud
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Henderson, Can, Milner; Coutinho, Lallana, Benteke.
Match result prediction: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Where you can watch the match:
SkySports 1, 8pm kick-off on Monday the 24th August 2015.
Comment below what you believe the final result will be!
Adam Connellan
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