Liverpool-Arsenal: Let the Battle Commence!

With four English teams in the quarter final draw, it was perhaps inevitable we would have an all English tie, and the draw didn’t disappoint.

Arsenal vs Liverpool.

This is obviously a very interesting tie, if it was to be played in the Premier League I would probably make Arsenal favourites, however as this is a European tie I don’t think its as easily called.

So where will the match be won and lost?

Both defences are solid and not easily breeched so it is perhaps surprising that this fixture seems to produce a lot of goals.

In recent seasons we have seen Arsenal score three goals against Liverpool and even six last season.

The Liverpool back four will be entirely different though, this time around. The way Liverpool set their back four up means that any aerial bombardment is practically useless.

They are strong, powerful and very adept and used to this sort of attack, especially in European football. One thing they are not comfortable with however, is when teams play football in and around them.

Arsenal are possibly the best footballing side in Europe and the intricacy of their play, fashioned by Fabregas in the middle will cause Liverpool problems. That being said, Javier Mascherano will be deployed as protection and there perhaps isn’t a better player in Europe at doing this. How he plays is crucial to Liverpool stopping Arsenal.

Arsenal’s biggest problem is obviously Fernando Torres. His main strength is his pace and movement but I think in Toure and William Gallas, Arsenal have two players who are quick enough and clever enough to be able to deal with Torres, especially if they can isolate him.

It will be interesting to see how Arsenal’s back four cope with the presence of Steven Gerrard. Flamini will need to ensure he is sound defensively or Gerrard could run havoc. It might also be worth noting to see how Arsenal cope with Peter Crouch if he features, he has caused them many problems in the past.

The midfield battle is very crucial in any European game. In this game Fabregas and Flamini will go up against Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and probably Xabi Alonso.

If the Liverpool midfield can get amongst the Arsenal midfield and stop the supply out wide, to Thomas Rosicky and Alexander Hleb, and up front to Adebayor and Robin Van Persie, they could find this game comfortable.

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