Arsenal vs Liverpool
Nov 2, 2013 at 5.30pm (UK)
Emirates Stadium
Saturday’s late kickoff at the Emirates Stadium sets the tone for two of the high flying teams in the EPL to meet in a match which promises to be an absolute thriller. Arsenal sit atop the Premier League standings having played nine games, but facing only one side in the top eight, whereas the travelling squad are third in the table and it looks like there is a sense of rejuvenated spirit back amongst the Reds from the Merseyside. Having lost to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup in midweek, Arsenal’s run into string fixtures continues and manager Arsene Wenger is fully aware that nothing short of three points will please the home faithful.
It may be early days in terms of the Premier League title challenge, but both the teams will be fighting for the top spot when they go head to head on Saturday. Depending on Chelsea’s result in the early kick off match, the Merseyside team could go top of the coveted EPL table if they manage to beat the home side who are unbeaten in eight Premier League Fixtures. Liverpool enter the match having steamrolled past a tricky West Bromwich Albion side by a 4-1 margin albeit a fantastic Luis Suarez hat-trick and an audacious Daniel Sturridge’s chip.
Even though the Gunners have scored the most goals in the EPL so far, their defence will be subjected to the toughest of tests, as Liverpool have scored an amazing 12 goals in their last four matches with the SAS (Suarez and Sturridge) perhaps being the most deadly strike force in the Premier League this season. The Controversial Uruguayan, Suarez after being back from his ten match suspension has so far scored six goals and provided an assist and will be subject of the crowd since the £40,000,001 bid from Arsenal in the summer window.
Arsenal have won five matches in the EPL in their last six matches, whereas Liverpool has drawn two and lost one aside their three wins. Oliver Giroud will again lead the line for the home side with the triumvirate of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere behind him, a midfield which can unlock the best of defence any day and anywhere. Confidence will be high for Liverpool not due to the fact that they have not lost to Arsenal in three meetings at the Emirates but also the Merseysiders haven’t lost any of their away games this campaign.
Injury concerns:
Liverpool left back Jose Enrique is definitely out of the clash following a sore knee but the bright spot is surely Brazilian Playmaker Philipe Coutinho’s return, which adds another weapon in Liverpool’s armory. Arsenal have injury worries of their own with Walcott, Podolski, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain all being long term casualties.
As forecasting is concerned, Wenger’s boys will preserve at least a two point lead over second place Chelsea and open up a five point gap over Liverpool. If the result however goes the other way, Liverpool will leap-frog the Gunners in the standings and, depending on the Chelsea result, could go top of the league.
Possible starting lineups:
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud
Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Cissokho, Toure, Sakho, Skrtel; Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson; Sturridge, Suarez
Match Stats:
- Aaron Ramsey has five goals and three assists in his last six Premier League appearances.
- Daniel Sturridge has scored a single goal in eight of his (and Liverpool’s) nine league fixtures this season, with Southampton the only team to shut him out.
- November is Arsenal’s least productive month in Premier League history with the Gunners gaining only 1.55 points per game. October is their second most productive month (behind March).
- Liverpool and Arsenal players have both scored 34 Premier League hat-tricks, more than any other club in the competition.
- Mesut Ozil has gone four Premier League appearances without an assist.
Stats complied from Yahoo Sport
Predictions:
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Blast from the past: