It’s All Mental, Liverpool vs Arsenal, Match Peview

Meaningful Football Once Again

With a fixture that hasn’t had a scoreless draw in 28 meetings over 10 years, the Liverpool v Arsenal match is one supporters of each squad always look forward to. And why not, the last time these two teams met supporters from both sides were treated to either a scoring masterclass or a dreadful defencive performance – depending on your perspective. When Arsnal and Liverpool met at Anfield this season both sides are hoping that only one of them has a similar form.

With either team right now, each one is dealing with its own mental frailties, for Arsenal we are all well aware of the injuries and the effects they have had on the squad. If Arsenal are to proceed in their hunt for the EPL title, they will need to get over whatever mental hurdles they have and buck up until Arsene has a chance to bring in fresh players in January.

For Liverpool their mental block deals around a long run of poor performance. Whatever the reason, Rafa Benitez’s side have not looked like the squad that pressed Manchester United for the title last season. As a matter of fact they’ve recently looked more like a squad trying to stave off relegation. What all this is attributed to is anyone’s guess? But suffice it to say, Liverpool are clearly out of the EPL title hunt (though Scousers won’t admit it) and out of the Champion’s League (the ramifications of which may not be felt until next year).

At the start of the season all the pundits were saying it would be Arsenal struggling to get a top 4 spot. However right now it is the merseyside giants who are on the outside looking in. And while the road is long ahead, the journey will be frought for both squads.

Liverpool are in a an absolute must win situation. There is no wiggle room for a draw or a loss. A loss – and Rafa Benitez may finally have seen his last days at Anfield. Should ‘Pool draw, the din for changes at Anfield will likely grow. In fairness as an outside observer the blame can only be partially Rafa’s. For him it is his dodgy transfer policy that hasn’t brought in a suitable backup for Fernando Torres so that while he was injured they wouldn’t lose a step. Additionally, you have to question letting go their midfield maestro, Xabi Alonso. Say what you will about Gerrard but it was Alonso who created a lot of the chances that Liverpool got. The lack of scoring Pool has shown this season can be directly attributed to that. But if Rafa is to blame for that – then Hicks and Gillette are to blame for shackling the club with so much debt that Rafa can’t do anything.  If Gooners need an example of why I am happy our club is run the way it is – they need look no further then Liverpool. It is a model of what can go wrong if you are not prudent in you financial abilities. Should the club finish out of the big four and Champion’s League football – Pool fans should watch out – the club will be worse than it is now.

Liverpool fans will take heart that Torres and Gerrard seem to be getting back to health and that midfield acquisition Aquilani looks like he is also coming of form back. Though I would remain tepid on Torres. Yes, even hurt he is a fantastic striker but the injury he has been struggling with is a groin injury that is bad enough that surgery will be needed to ultimately fix it. The Spanish FA would like him to do it sooner rather than later ahead of the World Cup. But his club are resistant beacuse without even an injured Torres they have shown themselves to be toothless.

Dirk Kuyt who is having an off year should feature in spite of this seasons’ deficiencies. The games he has managed to show up for are the big ones like wins over Everton and Manchester United. And he has had some success against Arsenal in the past, though he did look mediocre against our young guns in the Carling Cup.

The interesting thing about this years fixture is that there is very little change in the squads from last season. For Liverpool the biggest change is the loss of the Alonso. For Arsenal last season saw a 50% Kolo Toure and the ancient Mikhail Silvestre anchor the centre of the Arsenal defence.  This season we should be tighter back there with the tandem of Gallas and Vermaelen in front of the ‘keeper.  Additionally, Arsenal will start someone other than Nicky B in the front. Last season he started the match but overall was a non-factor missing more than hitting. So whomever starts in his place should hopefully be better. The point is both squads that take the field tomorrow are only slightly different  than the one who faced each other in the 4-4 slug fest last season:

Pool’s Lineup at Anfield Last Season:

Reina

Arbeola Aurelio Agger Caragher
Mascerherano Alonso Bnayoun Kuyt
Rierra Torres

Al Zhar on for Kuyt

The Arsenal linup for last season at Anfield:

Fabianski
Sagna Toure Silvestre Gibbs
Fabregas Song Denilson
Arhsavin Bendtner Nasri

Walcott for Denilson, Diaby for Nicky B

So what’s the point? The match could take on the same tenor as last season but for Arsenal we are much improved at the CB position. Though we could all argue that none of our ‘keeper choices inspires much confidence. So how this game plays out is really is a mystery?

For Arsenal the mental hurdle is getting over the perceived lack of size and the recent scoring drought they had gone through. Though none of the pundits point out that the lack of scoring has mostly come with the kids and not with its senior squad.  For Arsenal a loss would likely make the league title a distant chance, a draw keeps them in the top 4 but a closer target for the likes of VIlla, Spurs and City. A win and the Gunners can keep pressure on United and to some extent Chelsea.

Arsene has to play Arshavin up front again. He showed last week against a very physical stoke that he can overwhelem a squad with his ability. In that match he created 3 solid scoring chances converting on a a fourth. He was deceptive by sitting back and forcing the defenders up to him only to out hustle them to the ball and in some cases out muscle them. Noone should doubt AA23 for his size is very strong – especially down low. In last week’s Stoke match to set up the Ramsey score, he was going down with the ball at his feet and still managed to get it to Ramsey who rocketed the goal in.

Liverpool are not a squad that are going to out muscle us. They do not play the Chelsea way and even if they could, it is not Rafa’s style. In some way he plays a flowing attack football much like our own style that should benefit Arsenal. Like Arsenal, Pool have always done well against European competition in the CL only to lose to English clubs. So the style of game should look very familiar to fans of European football. It will be wide open and will be more about the squad that capitalize on its chances than it will be about people out muscling each other for the ball.

Arsenal will be anchored in the middle by Alexander Song and Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas for the attack and Song for the holding role. Song to me is this season’s star. It would be easy to pick Cesc or RvP, but after last season and the summer transfer window when a holding midfielder did not come in, Gooners were openly worried that we would be weak there. Song has gone to show that Wenger knows what he has in terms of talent. Song is everywhere on the pitch. Against Chelsea he successfully contained their midfield. Shackling them at every opportunity. It was on the wing where Arsenal lost that match not in the midfield. Song should be more than capable of handling even Aquilani.

Vermaelen and Gallas have shown themselves to be a solid defencive pairing. Game after game they continue to impress with their ability to shut down the opposition attack (too bad our keeper doesn’t know how).  Even after they make mistakes, ala Chelsea, they have come back and shown performances like Stoke where no header, no play in the middle or around the box had any chance for success.  They will need to continue that form and growth process  if Arsenal are going to continue to push for silverware.

For what it’s worth I think Arsenal match up as we currently are against even a healthy Liverpool Squad. Against a half fit Pool Arsenal would have a clear advantage – even with RvP and Nicky B at the doctors. As it is, it is very hard to call this match because I am not sure which squad will show up for either side.

How the Match Should Play:
To me each team is a mirror of each with the roles from last season reversed. Last season it was Arsenal  that had to go on an extended run to fight for its CL spot and hope that everyone above it went on a run of bad form. Liverpool need that now and will be looking to make this match the start of the turnaround. Arsenal are looking to continue an upward press.  With such desperation at Anfield, Arsenal will need to weather the first 15-20 minutes of pressure. If it were me I would keep the wings back for a bit until we were sure of the Pool attack plan. Once we have snuffed it out then we can press forward. Better to have 6 attacking then 8 and run the risk of giving up the early goal. Finally, put the ball at Arshavin’s feet around the box. He has shown what he can do against Pool’s defense and Reina.  It will be an open affair that is for sure and a style of play that Arsenal should like and thrive in.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. Back to scene of last seasons amazing show. In only his second month with the team, he showed why there was so much interest in him. He is one of the best when on his game. As the center of the Arsenal attack this weekend it will fall to him again to be the tip on the Arsenal attack. Again, since he has been the most vocal player about the club’s form he will need to show that he can continue to deliver.

Liverpool: Fernando Torres. Arguably the best striker in the world when he is healthy. But how healthy is he? If Liverpool want to  mount a challenge for their top 4 spot they will need him. If his injury is still nagging him then he may not be as effective but even still, Vermaelen should lock him up like he has Wayne Rooney.

Probable Starting XI:

Probables for Sunday's Match

Injuries:
Arsenal:  Eboue (hamstring), Rosicky (groin), Gibbs (foot), van Persie (ankle), Clichy (back), Bendtner (hernia), Djourou (knee)

Liverpool: El Zhar (ankle), Babel (ankle), Kelly (ankle)

Officials:
Referee: Howard Webb

Assistant Referees: Darren Cann, Mike Mullarkey

Fourth Official: Andre Marriner

Recent League Form:
Arsenal: WLLWW

Liverpool: DWDDL

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal 2  – Liverpool 2

US TV:
Fox Soccer Channel : 11:00AM (11:00PM rebroadcast)

UK TV
Sky Sports 1 16:00

Streams:
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www.iraqgoals.net
www.justin.tv

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