Let the Games Begin: Arsenal v Liverpool EPL Match Preview
Let's just win this one.
Is there any place better for Arsenal to play than at Anfield? It really is our own personal field of dreams. Whether it was 1989 for the league title or Arshavin’s solo quad clinic, Arsenal have built some profound memories at that storied ground.
So it is with mixed feelings that I write about our teams kickoff to the 2010-2011 campaign at this field. Its another season and meaningful football can once again be viewed, digested, and discussed. No more silly pre-season antics or national world cup crap. It’s all about the EPL and it’s all about time.
Liverpool start the season off in need of a boost to get this campaign off to the right foot. Last season was a season that saw nothing go right for the merseysiders. The season was so poor that it cost them dearly, loss of a Champion’s League spot and their favoured manager, Rafael Benitez.
Rafa is gone and Roy Hodgson leads the reds. Roy gets the nod to helm the club after successfully building up Fulham’s program and steering them to the Europa Cup Final. But this a different club and it is one with different expectations than Fulham and it remains to be seen whether or not Roy is the type of manager this squad needs.
There are some new faces at Liverpool. The most notable being Chelsea outcast Joe Cole. The oft injured Cole begins a new lease on life. He spent the summer being linked to many clubs, Arsenal included. But for whatever reason – the money – he went to Liverpool. Steve G is so happy he made the mistake of saying Cole is better than Messi. Well Stevie we know Lionel Messi and Cole isn’t him.
Still thought much is needed for Liverpool to succeed they are still made up of the core of players that suffered through last season. And while the summer has seen additional support come in, they still rely too much on either Gerrard or Torres. The latter unfortunately finds himself still trying to recover from a groin injury.
For Arsenal it been another summer of questions and turmoil. From the Cesc saga to whether or not we have enough in the back to do anything serious. As always expectations are high. But the feeling with Arsenal fans is that if Wenger can’t do anything with this club this year, the club will have more than losing Cesc Fabregas to contend with – it will have a very angry fan base.
Still, the attacking portion of the club seems very strong and with the addition of Marouane Chamakh looks to have added a piece of the puzzle they missed when Adebayor flittered off to Money Bags City. He looks good in the air and is very unselfish. If all works out he could be a nice partner for Van Persie.
The dutchman still looks to be short for the match but I expect he could sit on the bench. He had a horrific season with his injury. This season looking to add more pressure to himself he has taken the sacred number 10 – he asked for it – and if he stays healthy (a big if) – he plans alot for himself.
The defence as we all is an issue. I don’t think I need to restate the obvious. While Koosh looks like he will mature into the league he is getting a trial by fire starting. Arsene as early as today went on to say he knows he is short on players on the back but is going with what he has for right now until he can sort a deal out.
The other obvious sore spot is keeper and while it isn’t likely to happen during this match one of terrors in goal will be gone before the end of the summer transfer window. In the mean time you can expect Manuel Almunia to get the nod in goal for the season opener.
If Arsenal are to contend this season they need to come out running exactly like they did last season when a trip to the blue side of the Mersey led to a 6-1 thrashing and showed a star being born as Thomas Vermaelen announced his intentions.
How I Think This Match Will Play Out:
I have a really weird feel for this match. With the transfer activity only just picking up, it still feels like the preseason to me. Its almost like you expect both teams to come out with one team for the first half and another at the second. However, its for real, and this is a place where Andrei Arshavin likes to play. Figure him on at least a brace.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. Do I need to say it again, he loves playing against Liverpool.
Liverpool: Joe Cole. He’ll be desperate to show Arsene Wenger what he passed on.
Probable Starting XI:
Arsenal: Almunia, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Sagna, Clichy, Fabregas, Diaby, Nasri, Walcott, Arshavin, Chamakh
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Gerrard, Lucas, Cole, Rodriguez, Ngog, Jovanovic
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Ramsey (ankle) Bendtner (groin) Djourou (hamstring) Song (calf)
Liverpool: Torres (groin)
Last League Meeting:
Arsenal: 2
Liverpool: 1
Current Form:
Arsenal:
Liverpool:
Match Officials:
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant Referees: Peter Kirkup and Stephen Child
Fourth Official: Phil Dowd
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 11AM EST
UK: Sky Sports 1 1600BST
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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Liverpool: 2
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