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Arsenal v Liverpool – Preview

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Well, I can’t believe how much can change within a week.

As I wrote the preview for the Newcastle game, almost a week ago, I was so confident that Arsenal had it in them to challenge for the title this season – no matter who leaves us.

But, despite being the most optimistic of Arsenal fans out there, I’ve got to accept that Arsenal are in a crisis of some sorts going into the home encounter against Liverpool this afternoon.

While I still believe that this Liverpool squad is overpriced, they did look impressive for the first 45 minutes against Sunderland last Saturday. With a few weeks under their belt, they could be really good, but for now, Arsenal still have a chance to prove their critics wrong.

Liverpool are not yet a settled unit and their defence is almost as vulnerable as ours. So I am looking for a high scoring game at the Emirates this afternoon.

Arsenal team news:

Alex Song and Gervinho are suspended for three matches, starting with this one against Liverpool. Abou Diaby is still out and Jack Wilshere is yet to recover from his ankle injury. Arsene Wenger has also ruled out Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore – so we don’t have a natural left back in our squad! Wenger has also revealed that Tomas Rosicky will be rested for today’s game and that has allowed Samir Nasri to be included in the team. No matter how angry Arsenal fans are with him, I for one am happy he is in the squad, as we will need those final passes to breach Liverpool’s defence. Even a 65% fit Nasri will be a real handful and I sincerely hope that the Frenchman gives a good performance before he leaves for Manchester City.

In defence, it looks like Carl Jenkinson might start at left-back. He looked extremely shaky in that position against Udinese on Tuesday, but he is realistically our only option at present. Personally, I would like to see Thomas Vermaelen at left-back and bring in Sebastien Squillaci in the centre. Yes, yes, Squillaci is a huge risk, but to play a player just coming from League One out of position against Stewart Downing & co. is not advisable. The young guy’s morale would be shattered if he doesn’t perform well and I don’t want to see that.

Likely line up:

Szczsney

Sagna     Koscielny     Vermaelen     Jenkinson

Frimpong

Ramsey               Nasri

Walcott                                        Arshavin

Van Persie

Liverpool team news:

Kenny Dalglish has very few injury problems with only captain Steven Gerrard out. Glen Johnson is doubtful and John Flanagan is likely to give way to Martin Kelly. Dalglish has to decide whether to go with the promising Jordan Henderson or the hardworking Dirk Kuyt on the right wing.

Likely line up:

Reina

Kelly     Carragher     Agger     Enrique

Adam     Lucas

Kuyt                                    Downing

Suarez

Carroll

Players to watch out for/Key players:

Emmanuel Frimpong:

The youngster will have to deal with the pace and trickery of Suarez. His positioning and balance between attack and defence will be tested and this is a great opportunity for him to cement his place in the first-team. He will also have to track back and give some cover to young Jenkinson when Liverpool counter attack.

Charlie Adam:

He was pretty impressive against Sunderland, but King Kenny will be expecting more of the former Blackpool captain. His set-piece delivery is close to perfect and he has to feed Andy Carroll upfront to trouble Arsenal’s defence this afternoon. He too has to balance between attack and defence because of Arsenal’s possession football.

Prediction:

It is going to be very tough for this young Arsenal team to grab all the points against an array of superstars in Red shirts. However, Liverpool are still gelling as a team and Arsenal will have to use all their experience of playing together to gain a good result. Liverpool aren’t the best defensive team by any means and their midfield duo of Adams and Lucas are quite slow. So if Arsenal pass and move forward quickly, they can pose serious questions to Dalglish’s men. The Arsenal fans have to get behind our young squad no matter how discontent they are with the clubs transfer activities. Look at how Anfield was despite Liverpool’s slump last year – It was roaring!! And we aren’t that low yet, boys!!! So come on guys let’s get behind our young guns.

Anyway, I’ll be going for a 1-1 draw, but with a vociferous crowd and a good performance, I can see Arsenal pip it 2-1.

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