Rivals' Views, Preseason Edition: Arsenal and Liverpool

Rivals' Views is back with a third and final part in the pre-season edition. Rivals' Views is a forum for fans to answer questions about Arsenal and their clubs as we build up to an exciting football season.

In the first part of this series, I had a little question-answer session with World Football co-Community Leader and Manchester United fan, Salaar Shamsi.

In the second part, I posed a few questions to talented writer, Alan McGuinness, who is a Chelsea fan.

For the third and final part, I complete the quartet of the "Big Four" clubs, with yet another talented writer on the network, Barney Corkhill, who shares his views about Arsenal and Liverpool.

1. What do you think about Arsenal’s transfer activity this summer?

Well, Arsenal haven't brought many players in, and I haven't seen enough of Aaron Ramsey to judge him yet, nor have I seen any of Amaury Bischoff. However, Samir Nasri could be a great signing and I think he could be another Robert Pires for Arsenal.

The best signing of the summer for Arsenal? Getting Adebayor to stay!

Still, I don't doubt that all of Arsenal's signings will prove good, after all Wenger knows what he is doing!

2. How do you think the club will perform this season?

I think it could be an all or nothing season for Arsenal. On one hand I can see them really challenging Man Utd for the title, but I can also see them battling it out with Tottenham for fourth. It could go either way for them, but I'm leaning slightly towards fourth.

I think Liverpool are going to come third, so it's whether Chelsea are going to come second or fourth, and I can't see the latter happening with Phil Scolari in charge. The top four will be in this order, in my opinion:1. Man Utd 2. Chelsea 3. Liverpool 4. Arsenal.

3. If Arsenal sign an “experienced midfielder”, do you think that we will have a squad complete enough to challenge for the title?

I think last season showed Arsenal can already compete for the title, but a player like Xabi Alonso could be exactly what they need. Just someone to sit back and spread the passes about, allowing Fabregas to get forward and score goals.
I also think, if Arsenal are going down the Patrick Vieira route, Momo Sissoko could be one to look at.

4. Who do you think people should look out for this season from Arsenal’s current crop?

The same as last season probably. Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Tomas Rosicky when he is fit, same with Eduardo. Carlos Vela could have a bright future ahead of him as well. Add Samir Nasri to that list and if he is as good as everyone says he is, then he is definitely one to watch.
I have a feeling that Adebayor is not going to have as good a season as last season though, which will affect the whole team's performance, as he is Arsenal's best striker.

5. Do you think Rafa Benitez is the man to deliver Premier League success for Liverpool?

Well, he's getting closer and closer every year and eventually I think he may crack it. Remember it took Ferguson about six years to get his first league title. We know he has the capability after his Valencia days, and the fans are 100% behind him.

Just get rid of those stupid owners and then Benitez will have an even better chance.

6. Is the Fernando Torres/ Robbie Keane partnership the missing piece in Liverpool's jigsaw?

The Torres/Keane partnership sounds like a good one to me. Robbie Keane has been one of the Premier League's best strikers while he was at Tottenham, consistently performing well, and I think he could become huge for Liverpool.
Add to that the quality we all know Torres brings and we could have the most formidable striking partnership in the league and, who knows, it could fire us to Premier League glory.

7. Do you think Benitez will stick to his "rotation policy" and what do you make of it?Do you think that might hinder Liverpool's chances of mounting a serious title bid?

I think Rafa gets a lot of stick for this rotation policy but the fact is towards the end of last season he wasn't using it nearly as much. He was playing Torres almost week in week out and Gerrard was consistently in the centre of midfield.
Personally, I think he will keep doing that, playing his best players whenever they are available (which he wasn't doing towards the start of last season), but rotating other positions to give other players a chance (e.g Lucas, Yossi Benayoun, Philip Degen etc)

8. Finally, how do you think your team will perform this season?

I can see a good season for Liverpool. I predict that we will push for second place throughout the season, but just fall behind towards the end and will have to make do with third. The current team is shaping up quite nicely and hopefully they can even do better than my prediction.
I can't see us winning the league this season, but second could well be a realistic possibility. Also, I can see us again reaching at least the Champions League semi-final, and perhaps winning the F.A. Cup.

As always, thanks to Barney for taking his time out and answering those questions. I'd like to thank Salaar and Alan once again for their co-operation and also everyone who read and enjoyed Rivals' Views: Preseason Edition.

Rivals' Views will now be back when the top teams take on each other in the Premier League or in any other competition.