Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Scoring the Key Battles and Matchups
In the 2008-09 season, Arsenal dealt a cruel blow to Liverpool’s title challenge with a pulsating 4-4 draw at Anfield—the match in which Andrei Arshavin announced his arrival as an Arsenal player. This time around Liverpool will be looking to hand Arsenal a knockout blow in Arsenal’s title challenge.
On Sunday, Arsenal will take on Liverpool in what will be a must win clash for both teams, especially the Gunners. With Manchester United playing in the FA Cup during the weekend, Arsenal have an extremely tough opportunity to go four points behind leaders with a win. A draw or loss to the resurgent Liverpool will mean an almost fatal blow to their slim, but existing, title dreams.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are desperate to finish fifth and capture the last Europa League spot. Liverpool are currently sixth in the league, five points behind Tottenham but have played a game more than the London club.
They still have a chance to finish fifth but will have to win all their remaining matches, which includes the fixture against the Gunners at the Emirates.
Liverpool haven’t defeated the Gunners in seven league matches, with two losses. But Liverpool will go into this clash confident of their chances, considering their last match was against Manchester City, a match in which they annihilated the Manchester club 3-0, with Andy Carroll announcing his arrival as a Liverpool player.
Arsenal will be missing Vermaelen and Fabianski, with Bacary Sagna extremely unlikely to feature, but Arsene Wenger said that Wojciech Szczesny, Johan Djourou and, most importantly, Alex Song may be fit to play.
While it is likely that Szczesny and Djourou may not play, Song looks set to feature but nothing is guaranteed as of now.
Liverpool are not without injury problems of their own with Martin Kelly, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard all out injured.
Here is a look into the key battles and matchups ahead of the big clash.
Laurent Koscielny vs. Andy Carroll
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Andy Carroll was Liverpool’s replacement for the departing Fernando Torres and was signed on the deadline day by the Merseyside club.
He was initially injured when he was signed, and during his first few matches, he looked rusty and short of playing time.
But against Manchester City on Monday, he justified his price tag with two great goals, one with his left foot and another great header. But he is still just finding his feet at his new club and it will be a few games before he is his beastly best.
The last time Andy Carroll played Arsenal, he scored a great header out-jumping Koscielny and the keeper, Fabianski.
Koscielny has improved as the season has progressed, and he is no slouch in the air. He is a type of defender who will not back down—even from an aerial duel. He is blessed with a great leap, but despite this, he will struggle a bit against Carroll, especially considering the absence of Johan Djourou.
In the match against Barcelona, it was Djourou who moved forward, staying close to the man with the ball, while Koscielny sat a bit deeper. For Liverpool, it will be Carroll who stays forward with Squillaci covering Suarez a bit deeper.
With Suarez in fine form, Koscielny will have his hands full because he will have to cover for the fullbacks and for Squillaci.
Verdict: The battle between Carroll and Koscielny will be a very close. Koscielny will struggle a bit on set pieces against the aerial threat of Carroll but can cope with him but with Squillaci partnering him mostly—expect Carroll to edge this one.
Luis Suarez vs. Sebastian Squillaci
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Luis Suarez was signed by Liverpool during the winter transfer window, and what an impact he has had at the Merseyside club, with his work rate, pace and trickery, wreaking havoc against most teams.
He might have scored just two goals but the impact he has had at Liverpool has been immense and he is at the heart of Liverpool’s revival.
Against Manchester United and Manchester City, he might not have found the back of the net, but he was definitely the man of the match on both occasions, with sublime performances that has left the fans asking, "Torres who?"
His dribbling, pace and bag of skills has added another dimension to the attack, and he is the orchestrator of most of Liverpool’s attacks.
Sebastian Squillaci, on the other hand, has endured a torrid first season with his partnership, with him turning out to be one of Wenger’s poorer buys.
He hasn’t shown a single quality of a top-notch defender, at least not consistently enough. He lacks pace of any sort, and his communication with his fellow defenders and goalkeeper has been pitiful at times.
Against Suarez, he, in all probabilities, will be mauled, especially considering the hot streak of form Suarez is in. Suarez’s pace and trickery will mean that he stands no chance to stop the Uruguayan and will struggle to contain the forward, whose constant movement will leave him far behind.
Verdict: This is going be Suarez all along, and as an Arsenal fan, I’m actually worried about what Suarez is capable of doing to the Arsenal defense.
Samir Nasri vs. John Flanagan
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With both Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson out injured, 18-year-old John Flanagan has been appointed as right back and looks all set to make only his second start for Liverpool, after an impressive debut against Manchester City on Monday.
With Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott looking set to start, Samir Nasri will move to the left and up against him will be the youngster, Flanagan.
Nasri has been a revelation this season for the Gunners and is one of the front-runners for the PFA Player of the Year award. Although he has not scored in recent weeks, he is still playing some good football and can cause Flanagan a lot of problems. He has already notched up 14 goals this season and will be desperate to add to that tally against top class opposition.
Nasri’s trickery and sublime footwork will trouble the promising, but inexperienced, youngster, who will have his task cut out for him.
Verdict: Nasri will win this duel, relatively comfortably. His link-up play and direct running is not easy to handle, and Flanagan, despite all the talent, will struggle to deal with the inform winger.
Theo Walcott vs. Fabio Aurelio
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Following his injury against Stoke City, Theo Walcott has played the last two matches for the Gunners, with a start against Blackburn and a substitute appearance against Blackpool, a match in which he contributed an assist for van Persie’s goal.
Walcott’s season has been plagued by injuries, and he is just making a return from an ankle injury that led him to missing the Carling Cup final.
This has been the season in which he has finally banished his demons and is now establishing himself as an integral part of this Arsenal side. He has scored 11 goals for the Gunners and has contributed 10 assists in all competitions.
While his decision making has some room for improvement, he has improved tremendously over the past one year in this aspect. He is using his pace much better and his crossing has undergone massive improvement for the better.
But best of all is his partnership with Fabregas and van Persie, a partnership that has flourished this season, with the goals against Blackpool and Wolves.
Aurelio’s season, too, has been plagued by injuries, but he is slowly making a return and the injury to Agger will mean that he starts in the left back role.
Walcott’s biggest asset is his searing pace, a plus point which he is using to devastating effect this season and a tool which has given Arsenal an added impetus when on the counter. This immediately brings to mind the 4-2 win for Liverpool in 2008, a game in which Walcott had seemingly clinched the game with a searing run from his own half that culminated with a brilliant pass for Adebayor to score an easy goal.
Aurelio will find it difficult to venture forward with the pace of Walcott, meaning that he will have to time his runs to perfection.
Verdict: Walcott’s resurgence this season and his vastly improved skill sets means that he has the slight advantage but a lot depends on Walcott’s ability to deliver the final ball.
Robin van Persie vs. Jamie Carragher
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Robin van Persie has been on song for the past couple of months, and he will look to continue his goalscoring spree against Liverpool, the team against whom he scored an absolute beauty in 2008.
He has been in scintillating form ever since his return in December, having scored 16 goals in all competitions, including one against Blackpool last weekend. He has not only been scoring goals but has also helped in creating them with eight assists this season.
He has been one of the league’s most effective strikers and has been able to find the back of the net consistently.
Against Liverpool, Arsenal will continue with their 4-2-3-1 formation, with van Persie spearheading the attack. While on paper he is the lone forward in the formation, he hardly plays like one. He will constantly drop deep to receive the ball and looks to move into the wings to set up goals.
His movement will be hard to handle and this will help to open up space for the likes of Walcott and Nasri to take a shot.
Liverpool’s centre backs, for the game, will be Carragher and Skrtel, with the former having played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign.
Jamie Carragher’s experience will come in handy when dealing with the Dutchman’s threat.
Verdict: Taking note of van Persie’s blistering run of form, I predict him to come on top of this duel but only just.
Cesc Fabregas vs. Lucas
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Arsenal’s Fabregas is another player whose season has been disrupted due to a recurring hamstring injury. He made his first start, since the loss to Barcelona, against Blackpool last Sunday, and he put in a majestic performance.
He was at the heart of the Arsenal attack and weaved his magic over a truly hapless Blackpool defense that was all over the place. But sadly for the Gunners, Liverpool is no Blackpool. But Fabregas is one of the world’s best midfielders and few defenses in the world can stop him when he is at his best.
Fabregas and van Persie have formed a great partnership, and when you add Walcott to the mix, you get an extremely dynamic attacking force.
Lucas is one of the Premier League’s most improved players as he has gone from sheer mediocrity to solid performer. He has proved himself this season with some great performances and has started to establish his authority in midfield.
Verdict: Fabregas seems to be back to full fitness right now, and when he has been fit, he has been destructive. Despite the improvement in Lucas’s game, he will struggle to contain on song Fabregas.
Final Verdict
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Both teams will be desperate to win this match as a lot depends on this fixture and both managers will, in all possibilities, go for the win.
Kenny Dalglish has successfully scripted the downfall of both Manchester clubs, along with Arsenal’s London rivals, Chelsea, and he will be looking to add the scalp of Arsenal to that mix.
While Liverpool might have won their last match, their form on the road has been poor, having lost to Blackpool, West Brom and West Ham on the road under Dalglish.
On paper, many may expect Arsenal to win but despite the win over Blackpool, doubts remain over their form. Also, their defense is a cause for worry, with Bacary Sagna and Johan Djourou set to miss out. That combined with the doubts over Alex Song, means that Arsenal do have worries of their own.
Arsenal, in my opinion, will win four of the six battles, but their shaky defense, combined with their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal will see them slip up once again.
With both teams desperate for all three points, expect them to cancel each other out, but it will be an entertaining clash nonetheless.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
