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3 Key Battles That Will Decide Arsenal’s Fate Against Liverpool

2. Full backs or wing backs- who will come out on top?

One of the problems of playing three at the back is that you demand an awful lot from your wingback. To both attack and defend for 90 minutes isn’t easy and not every full back can do it. Lazar Markovic seems to be able to do it quite well and the Reds will certainly welcome him into the side. Against United, Raheem Sterling played as the right wing-back and in doing so neutralized the threat he posed going forward because he was unable to affect the play from deep. Alberto Moreno on the other hand struggled with his defensive duties and was at fault for both of United’s goals. How the duo perform against Arsenal will certainly determine whether the 3-4-3 that Brendan Rodgers employs is a boon or a bane.

Could Hector Bellerin start for Arsenal this weekend?
Hector Bellerin

There is no such existential crisis for Arsenal, who have traditional full backs in Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal are full backs, who can both defend and attack. Although Bellerin prefers the latter, his pace means that he can get back even if he makes a mistake. Both of them have increased their influence in attack recently and Saturday will be an easier test for the duo with Liverpool’s lack of wingers. If the duo can create two-on-one situations on the flanks, then the Gunners will be able to nullify Liverpool’s threat while at the same time increasing their offensive productivity.