Arsenal v Liverpool Preview, Line-Up and Score Prediction

Arsenal seem to be having a mental block in front of goal at the moment but we still have an excellent home record, winning every single game this season except for the debacle against Man United, so we should be feeling pretty confident playing at the Emirates nowadays. Let’s firstly take a look at our recent home form….

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side seem to have hit top form lately and are undefeated in their last 12 games in all competitions (8W4D). They have been scoring goals for fun as well, with at least 3 in their last 4 League away games, so let’s look at their recent away League form….

So those stats make this a very difficult game to forecast, and both teams can feel confident in their own way, but one thing is sure is that Arsene Wenger still feels the pain of our 4-0 reversal at Anfield early this season. He said: “When you have such a long career as I have, you have some defeats unfortunately that hurt you for the rest of your life.

“When you can put things right, do it. So let’s focus on what is in front of us and turn up on Friday night with a completely different performance.

“The motivation is there. This squad has a good mentality and it is about us, to make sure we are on top of our game. We must play with pace and a determined attitude.”

To be fair, we normally do at home in front of our own supporters so hopefully that will give us a boost. As for the team news, we will have to it without our supersub Olivier Giroud around to help us out of any tight fix, and Aaron Ramsey is also sidelined until the New Year – but on the plus side we will have Shkrodan Mustafi back to help in defence. Liverpool have also been lucky on the injury front with only Alberto Moreno definitely missing – although Daniel Sturridge and Joel Matip remain fitness doubts.

Klopp is definitely an attack-minded coach and he has assembled an impressive front line of Salah, Coutinho, Firmino and Mane, and I wonder if we will see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back at the Emirates. Arsenal too have a scary line-up with Ozil, Sanchez and Lacazette, but with Alexis looking like a shadow of his former self I am secretly hoping that Wenger is brave enough to leave him on the bench, but I doubt it, as the boss is desperate for his gamble of keeping the Chilean at the club will come good at some point. It is certainly not happening so far….

So who do we think Wenger will pick today? For starters it would appear that he is sticking with Maitland-Niles at left-wing back instead of Kolasinac after leaving the youngster out of our Caraboa Cup game in midweek, and with Mustafi back we should have our strongest back three out. With Ramsey missing I can’t see Wenger going without Wilshere as Xhaka’s partner in midfield. Coquelin is an option but he limped off on Tuesday again and may not be risked.

So here is my predicted Arsenal line up….

Cech
Koscielny Mustafi Monreal
Bellerin Wilshere Xhaka Maitland-Niles
Ozil Lacazette Alexis

Is that strong enough to beat Liverpool? We must hope that our usually strong defence stands firm and frustrates the Fab Four tonight.

Lastly, I want to look at our Head-to-Head record, which has not been very good since Klopp arrived at Anfield. Here we go..

It’s been a while since we beat them, but records are their to be broken! 21 goals in our last four meetings so the neutrals should be in for a feast, but I’m going to go against the grain. I think our defence will be back to our best and will hold them, so my prediction is 1-0 to the Arsenal!

Admin

16 Comments

  1. I predict Wenger would use 4-1-2-2-1 again, to man-mark Liverpool players (because they usually use 4-3-3) and to dominate the midfield. I think we would see this line-up:

    Cech
    Bellerin Koscielny Mustafi Kolasinac
    Xhaka
    Wilshere Ozil
    Iwobi Sanchez
    Lacazette

    Ozil looks better when playing in the deeper position and I think Wenger should use his players’ athleticisms better. Welbeck and Lacazette have good pace and skills that could match Salah’s and Mane’s threats, if used under a well-planned strategy.

    1. Xhaka must not start.The guy can’t defend to save his own life.I don’t get why we still fancy him.He’s so poor and it’s Wenver sho’s doinv him a favouf.I rate Coquelin above him though he’s one dimdnsion.If Xhaka can’t defend and us not that good in attack then what does he offer the team.I’d rather have Wilshere playing next to Flamini than Xhaka.At leat both will know their actual roles in the team.
      Liverpool is beatable,and we will beat them today mark my words if only the right lineup is chosen.Wenger is terrible when it comes to picking the right lineup based on form and even tactics.This season continues to show how poor tactically poor Wenger as he’s decided to play Xhaka who can’t defend with a CM and

  2. I bet wenger will start Maitland Niles at lb and monreal at cb and xhaka at CM.
    the Liverpool will smash us 4 1 with Salah firmino coutinho and mane scoring.

      1. @Sue, @Tatgooner

        Sorry both of you both have just lost your votes because Liverpool will be drowned in their pool tonight.

  3. If we lose to Liverpool and they do the double on us again

    Christmas is ruined..
    Santa will get powerbombed soon as i see him at the bottom of the chimney .

  4. All Gooners, me included,hope for a good win but , ironically, what would be really good for the club and our future is a bad defeat, making Wengers resignation or sacking more likely. In the hustle and hype over games, we forget at our peril, all about anything other than the next game. But what REALLY matters is how soon will our next manager be installed and anything that hastens that is good for the club. That is the dichotemy we all face as fans at this badly run club. OURS IS THE ONLY CLUB OUT OF THE TOP STRATA WHERE THIS APPLIES AND THAT FACT IS DAMNING.

      1. Care to explain, in more than two paltry words that say nothing, what I wrote that you disgree with with and why. Thats a challenge I issue to you, if you have the vocabulary .

  5. I ama betting man and see the bookies have installed us as favoutrites to win this game. Makes no sense at all IMO

  6. Wenger does normally pull these types of game out of the bag (i.e. games where we are 100% expected to lose) but i think he’s played that card against Spurs earlier in the season. So, looks like it will be a draw.

  7. Kolasinac has to play can’t put young Ainsley up against arguably the best player in the league right now, Salah!

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors