Tactical Battles That Will Shape Arsenal's Clash with Liverpool

Premier League leaders Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday in the stand-out fixture of the weekend. However, what are the tactical battles that are likely to shape this much-anticipated top-of-the-table clash?

Well, one thing that is for sure is that these two English heavyweights will not be lacking for confidence when they meet at 5:30 p.m. GMT in North London this weekend, having both surprised many experts by starting their respective league campaigns in great form so far.

Each side have suffered one defeat in the league to date—both were shock losses—with the Gunners going down 3-1 at home to struggling Aston Villa on the opening day of the new season, while the Reds lost 1-0 to high-flying Southampton at Anfield last month.

And so, now all eyes will be firmly fixed on the capital.

But what will be the key individual head to head that will end up determining who leaves the Emirates victorious and who departs empty-handed on Saturday?

Firstly, let’s look at how the two sides are likely to line up (see below graphic). The home team will be without Mathieu Flamini, who helped them win 2-0 at Crystal Palace last time out, due to a groin problem—however, Jack Wilshere does come in to take his place in midfield.

Meanwhile, this eye-catching encounter looks like coming just too soon for the Reds’ Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

The impish creator is set to be on the substitutes’ bench following a recent layoff with a shoulder problem. Spaniard Jose Enrique should have recovered in time from a recent knee problem to resume his place at left wing back ahead of Aly Cissokho.

Lucas Leiva vs. Mesut Ozil

This could be the key battle of the whole match.

The Merseysiders will be grateful to have their Brazilian water carrier back from a recent suspension for what is sure to be a busy afternoon, putting out fires in front of the visitors’ back four for the unheralded holding midfield player.

And that means trying, as many have already unsuccessfully attempted so far this season, to quell the unpredictable attacking threat of Arsenal’s new club-record signing.

However, as we can see from the graphic detailing Lucas’ display on his return to the team against the Baggies at Anfield last Saturday, the 26-year-old will be there to both act as an auxiliary centre-back at times as well as covering when Jordan Henderson attacks upfield. And he will always be providing a simple passing option, too, when his defence are in possession.

Consequently, it will be the responsibility of Arsenal’s German playmaker to try—whenever possible—to escape the close attentions of Lucas, who will make sure to be on him like a rash as soon as he collects the ball. Ozil will create openings for the likes of Olivier Giroud and the in-form Aaron Ramsey to feast on.

This has the potential to be an absolutely fascinating matchup—possibly the most decisive of the whole contest.

Bacary Sagna vs. Jose Enrique

There is no doubt that when the Gunners attack down the flanks, Arsene Wenger’s side prefer to use the greater experience and know-how of their France international right-back. The majority of Arsenal’s forward forays down the wing come via Sagna, as opposed to the less willing and mature Kieran Gibbs on the left-hand side.

Not only that, but Sagna has also been in impressive form for Arsenal so far this season, both defensively and offensively. The full back’s one-on-one battle with Enrique at the Emirates on Saturday is sure to be both intriguing as well as potentially crucial in determining the outcome of the match.

Both coaches will be urging their respective full-backs to keep their opponents pinned back at all times by making thrusting runs forward, with or without the ball, in order to occupy their rival full-back.

However, with Liverpool now adopting a new-look 3-5-2 formation, Brendan Rodgers’ two full-backs are actually playing as more attack-minded wing backs. That means there is actually more impetus on both Enrique and Glen Johnson to make attacking runs than on the Arsenal pair of Sagna and Gibbs.

Equally by definition though, there should also be more space for the two Arsenal full-backs to potentially exploit behind the Reds’ marauding wing backs—in particular the more adventurous Sagna.

And with the expectation sure to be on Arsenal to attack as the home side on Saturday, you get the feeling that Sagna’s personal one-on-one battle with Enrique could also be one of the keys to the outcome of this encounter.

But if the Frenchman produces a similar performance to that which he displayed at Palace last weekend (see graphic), when Sagna had both the most amount of touches and completed the second-highest number of passes after Ramsey, then it could be a taxing duel for Enrique.

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