Liverpool v Arsenal Preview
Santi Cazorla grabbed a brace on his 30th birthday as Arsenal scored four for the second game in the row with a 4-1 win over Newcastle at The Emirates last Saturday.
Olivier Giroud also found the net twice last weekend, the big forward coming back refreshed following a lengthy injury layoff. He now has four goals in the league this season, meaning he has scored with every 3.75 shots he has had on goal. Giroud is 7/4 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
Should Mathieu Flamini feature against Liverpool, he will be key in helping to break up their play in the middle of the park. His distance stats certainly suggest his fitness is up to the task of tracking the likes of Jordan Henderson, the Frenchman covering more ground than any other Arsenal player this season with 153,579m to his name according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Alexis Sanchez has been at the forefront of much of the good about Arsenal this season, his movement and technique frequently getting him in positions to score, as well as provide for his teammates. Not only does he rank second in the Arsenal squad for shots on goal, his total of 28 bettered only by Danny Welbeck with 30, he’s also compiled five assists.
Liverpool dropped to 10th in the Barclays Premier League after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a revitalised Manchester Utd at Old Trafford last weekend. A midweek victory in the League Cup will have provided some much needed confidence though, setting up an intriguing clash with Arsenal this weekend.
Raheem Sterling has been central to Liverpool’s efforts this season, the skillful forward shouldering the extra burden of attacking responsibility in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge. He has the best shot accuracy rate of any Liverpool player to have had more than 10 shots on goal, with 62.5% of his 24 attempts hitting the target. Sterling is 27/10 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
Midfielder Jordan Henderson has been controlling the tempo superbly in the middle of the pitch for Liverpool this season, providing the platform for the likes of Sterling to flourish in front of him. As well as attempting the highest number of challenges in the squad with 53, winning 75.5% of them, he’s also completed more passes in the opponent’s half than any of his teammates with 391, at an average rate of one every 3.3 minutes according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Youngster Alberto Moreno has been in strong form this term, acquitting himself well in his first season in the Barclays Premier League. He ranks behind only captain Steven Gerrard (44) for total challenges with 41, winning an excellent 87.9% of them.
Liverpool v Arsenal Team News:
Mixed news on injuries for both the sides. The hosts will be without Mario Balotelli, who is serving his one match ban, while Dejan Lovren is a doubt. The likes of Glen Johnson and Daniel Sturridge are stilling missing.
For the Gunners, usual suspects Nacho Monreal and Theo Walcott face fitness tests along with Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the latter should most probably start the game in midfield alongside Flamini. Giroud has grown in confidence since his return from long term injury layoff and should lead the attack once again. Wenger will also have Calum Chambers back in the side, which means Mathieu Debuchy can revert back to his usual right back role, allowing the young Englishman to fill in at centre back.
Liverpool v Arsenal Possible Lineups:
Liverpool: Jones; Toure, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas; Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling
Arsenal: Szczesny; Chambers, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Flamini, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez, Welbeck; Giroud
Liverpool v Arsenal Match Facts:
- Liverpool’s midweek win over Bournemouth was only their third in their last 11 games in all competitions.
- The Reds have failed to score in five league games this season, two more than in the whole of last season.
- Based on three points for a win, Liverpool’s tally of 21 points is their lowest after 16 games since 1964-65.
- After drawing five of their first eight league games, Arsenal have drawn none of their subsequent eight (W5 L3).
- They have only lost one of their last six matches in all competitions.
- The Gunners have only failed to score in one league game this season.
Facts compiled from BBC
Liverpool v Arsenal Prediction:
An entertaining 1-1 draw.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.
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