EPL Match Day 2: Arsenal v Emirates: Match Preview

So kiddies who can tell me who this – what was the last year and who scored the only goal the last time Liverpool beat Arsenal on home turf? If you said the year 2000 and Titi Camara you are right. Next question when was the last time Liverpool won at the Emirates. Duh it’s a trick question. They’ve never won at the Emirates.

But with everything going on right now could there be no more opportune time for King Kenny and his rejuvenation Liverpool project to snap up 3 points? Well, thanks to the schedulers of the EPL, we get to find out early on Saturday.

I’d be kidding if there wasn’t a serious sense of concern about this tie. Let’s go down the list of missing Gunners shall we – Alex Song (3 game ban), Gervinho (3 game ban), Jack Wilshere (injured), Diaby (ankle) Kieran Gibbs (injured) Aarmond Traore (injured), and Johann Djourou (never got off the bus – injured). Throw in the sale of Cesc Fabregas and we’ve already got a list of missing players as big as the team itself.

The interesting thing about this tie though is that our favourite ingrate Samir Nasri could actually start the game. While talks between Arsenal and Man City continue, there is a rumour that they’ve hit a snag. The snag – agent fees. And frankly, it could scupper the deal. I am also guessing that Nasri telling people his preferred destination would’ve been United, Madrid or Barcelona (he didn’t have the DNA) isn’t helping matters either. But as you’ll see in my line up later, adding him to the squad gives us some necessary skill in the middle of the pitch.

And why shouldn’t he play? He’s healthy. He has shown in the pre-season and in training sessions an uncanny professionalism and performed his job as best he can. You never know. If he plays and does well he may have an epiphany and decide he likes it at the Arsenal (okay not even I could resist not laughing on that one). Who knows, right? More interesting though, is what happens if he starts, what will the fan reaction be? Even better, what happens if scores an equaliser or the winner? Hmmm? That should make the sound around the Emirates interesting. Especially in light of the new Samiar Nasri chant – with the C U Next Tuesday ending.

For the massive overhaul at Liverpool they are not without their own issues and could present the Gunners with some opportunities. For as good as their first half against Sunderland was last week – their second half was pitifully inadequate (sound familiar). Suarez is by far their best player and is only going to benefit from Adam and Downing being on the team. But the £35 million wonder boy is a bender a way from losing his spot on the team. Additionally, if you thought our back four problems are huge, you haven’t watched any Liverpool matches. They’ve moved to shore up the LB position with Enrique but with Agger and Caragher in the middle and Flanagan on the right there could be issues.

Young Flanagan (obscure Cocktail (the movie) reference) will have his hands full with Arshavin who has shown that he is ready to play this season. Liverpool are one of his more favourite teams to play against too. Caragher and Agger don’t handle speed well and if Nasri plays along with Walcott we will have our chances. The key will be to take them and force Reina to work.

But the key for Arsenal will always be the line at the back and with Gibbs out Jenkinson gets a baptism of fire on the right with Sagna moved to the left. I wish we had a whole team of Sagna’s. He is so good at what he does and so strong. How can you not like this guy. He is in my opinion the best right back in the league. And as Ashley Cole dips in form he could very well be the best back in the league.

Koscielny and Vermaelen continue to impress and improve and they will need to be at their best against a good opponent and with a new defencive midfielder in front of them. With Song out serving a three game suspension for being stupid, 19 year old Emmanuel Frimpong gets the start in the middle of the pitch. Frimpong had some impressive moments in the pre-season and has been called on twice by Wenger to solidfy the defence in the last two matches. He seems comfortable on the ball and is a big brute of lad. Whether he has it in him at 19 to be a presence in a match like this remains to be seen. But that we will see as he takes the pitch tomorrow.

All in all, it has not been a good week for the players, the manager or the fans. There is a lot of concern, anger, and worry. Whether Arsenal can rise to the occassion is something yet to be determined. We’ll get a good sense of the mettle of this “new-look” Arsenal in the next week (3 matches to play). In other words every match will feel like squeaky bum time.

How the Match Should Play Out:
From the look of it everything points to a Gunners loss at home. But as I mentioned Liverpool aren’t without their own issues. I am really looking for Arsenal to come out quick and try and snatch an early goal. They can open up the game that way and stretch out the scousers defence. Liverpool will seek to take advantage of their height on set pieces and crosses into the box with Adam and Downing trying to exploit the Gunners weakness there. I certainly expect them also to test out Jenkinson and he will get a baptism by fire from Suarez. I see Liverpool up 2-1 mid way through the second half with a Robin Van Persie rifle equalizing late.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. The Russian playmaker has taken a lot of stick, especially from me. But there are signs that he back. He has been up for all the matches he has been in and was well rested from not having to play on Tuesday. He likes playing against Liverpool. Look for him to come up big.

LFC: Luis Suarez. Before Kun arrived in the EPL, I had Suarez duking it out with own RvP for Golden Boot honours this season. He is an impact. I hope King Kenny doesn’t make this game all in the air. If he does Suarez will not be an impact.

Probably Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Gervinho (suspended – 3) Song (suspended – 3) Wilshere (ankle) Diaby (ankle) Gibbs (hamstring) Djourou (hamstring) Eastmond (ankle)

LFC: Gerard (groin) Johnson (hamstring) Skrtel (calf) Aurelio (achilles)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:

LFC: Suarez (1)

Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 1

LFC: 1

Goals For:
Arsenal: 0

LFC: 1

Goals Against:
Arsenal: 0

LFC: 1

Last Five:
Arsenal: D

LFC: D

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 0

LFC: 0

Match Official:
Referee: Martin Atkinson

Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN2 0745 AM EST

UK: Sky Sports 2 1245 BST

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

LFC: 2

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