Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Tactical Preview of Premier League Game
It's make-or-break time for Liverpool and Arsenal. If the former win, a UEFA Champions League spot is still within grasp, and if the latter win, there's a serious chance they'll be considered true Premier League title contenders by the end of the day.
Arsenal Setup
The big injury news is that Arsenal's oft-injured quartet of late—Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Debuchy—came through a friendly this week as their return edged closer, per WhoScored.com, but Arsene Wenger still won't be rushing them back.
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Danny Welbeck sustained an injury against Lithuania on Friday and missed the Italy game on Tuesday, and he is a doubt for the game. If he misses it, it might just fix a serious selection dilemma, as competition for places in Arsenal's front line is fierce.
With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returning and Theo Walcott getting a run-out for England, Alexis Sanchez's questionable form falls ever so slightly under the microscope. Could he be dropped out of the XI due to exhaustion?
Liverpool Setup
Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard will miss the next three games due to the stamping suspensions picked up in the Manchester United loss. The former will be badly missed. The latter? They'll be fine without him.
According to Chris Bascombe in The Telegraph, Daniel Sturridge will try to play through the pain barrier after revealing his hip injury isn't as bad as first thought. If he starts, it will place yet another nail in the coffin currently under construction for Mario Balotelli.
Joe Allen should continue in midfield and stave off the challenge of Lucas Leiva, while Lazar Markovic played for Serbia during the break and is fit to start at right-wing-back if called upon. If not, it will be Raheem Sterling there once again. If only Jordon Ibe were fit...
Key Point 1: The Flank in Question
The battleground to watch here is on Liverpool's right and Arsenal's left; the impending bout between whoever Brendan Rodgers chooses at right-wing-back and the likely selection of Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean's been off the boil of late, and his performance at the Emirates Stadium against Brazil on Sunday epitomised the slight fall in his level—still the manic dribbler and worrier of defences, but there's little end product as his legs have slowed down and, mentally, he's a split-second behind where he used to be.
He's still going to scare the bejesus out of whoever is selected, so Rodgers must pick carefully. He could go with Sterling and risk irritating a player already unsettled, choose Markovic and risk it becoming a defensive weakness, play Jordan Henderson and remove a valuable presence from the middle, or go for Javi Manquillo and balance the XI.
Whoever gets the nod will help shape this game tactically, as each of the four options changes the outlook. On paper, Manquillo is the safer bet, but he's been out of favour for so long—does he have a shot?
Key Point 2: Killing the Tempo
Gary Neville's co-commentary on Sky Sports during the early stages of Manchester United's Anfield win in March was spot on (as usual): If you quieten the Reds' quick start, particularly at home, you go a long way toward beating them, as they tend to psyche themselves out.
Arsenal have found success in recent months by taking a more cautious approach and surrendering possession at times, but the last thing they'll want to do here is gift Liverpool time to play—the game pattern will result in that of the Tottenham Hotspur loss earlier this year.
The Gunners will need to be snappy, front-footed and positive in the opening stages, with Francis Coquelin's aggression and Aaron Ramsey's hard running leading the team mentality. Sometimes games are played out in the minds of players, and you can expect a frenetic struggle for superiority in the early stages.
Who comes out the victor, or scores early, will secure the result.
