Arsenal v Liverpool; Match Preview
The transfer window is shut. It was made by the men with money and the money men keep it. The transfer window is shut. And thank god for that. Now we can move on past all the craziness and just concentrate on what matters – football.
Moving into the third week of the season and there are positives along with negatives. While, the competition has been questionable, Arsenal have yet to concede a goal and have the least amount of shots allowed in the the infancy of this new season. That being said, the Gunners have yet to put a ball into the net even though they have had plenty of chances and nearly all of the ball over 70% of both games.
It’s quite clear early on the the influence of Steve Bould is already being felt. Again, it’s too early to know if this is going to hold for the most part of the season but the signs are there that defensively Arsenal are starting to pull it together. Additionally, the Gunners seem to be better at handling set pieces and even thought I had a moment last week that Stoke would nick a late one, the team never gave the impression that there was a frenetic demeanor to it. Again, something else I think has improved but want to see more of going forward.
What Arsenal do need to do is get their new players to gel quickly. Santi Cazorla has hit the ground running and as Martin Keown has said “”He is Liam Brady and Cesc Fabregas rolled into one – he has Brady’s shooting ability and Fabregas’s vision.” What’s not happening is the connection between him and his forwards. There was one lovely pass to Oliver Giroud last week that should’ve been a goal but it was slightly behind the forward.
As for Giroud he has clearly shown a little more gumption than Marouane Chamakh up front but he has to bury the ball. Same for Lukas Podolski. But both are working hard and you can see that they should be fine once they find themselves. In both cases you just know that the comfort level will increase once that first goal comes.
There is plenty to prove for both clubs coming into this clash. Arsenal are going to want to show that their inactivity in the transfer window was warranted and that the team they have will be fine. Liverpool want to show that they are not a continually declining club they have shown over the last few years. Surely the signing of Sahin on loan should help them but the loss of Lucas Leva is a big one for them. Liverpool’s midfield was constantly overrun last season without him there. Sahin may help in that department but how the will go remains to be seen.
Additionally, the Rodgers revolution has yet to take hold. It’s early yet so there is still time.
The ties between these two teams have been interesting affairs of late. Last season at Anfield a Song chip to Robin Van Persie gave the Gunners a win in a match they were completely outplayed in. With both of those players no longer at the club Arsene’s charges will need someone else to step up.
How the match should play out.
It’s going to be a slug fest. Both of these teams need to come out and make a statement of intent. Liverpool on their home turf will have the added benefit of the home crowd to surge them forward. Arsenal’s improving defence will need to committed and focused. Even though Luis Suarez has missed more shots than made he is still a threat. If Per Mertesacker plays instead of the returning Koscielny, the BFG will need to play his best positional game because his lack of speed could get the best of him against Suarez and new Liverpool darling Sterling.
Arsenal seem pretty set in the midfield right now but possible choices include swapping Diaby for Oxlade-Chamberlain. That might be an interesting combination and add a little more strength to the midfield for Arsenal. With Cazorla leading the way in the middle, Arsenal will have the ball. Liverpool will give the Gunners space as they are going to want to play – especially at home. With space to play I expect Arsenal to finally score. Whether they outscore their opponent is the open to discussion.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Theo Walcott. It remains to be seen of Theo will start. But if he does – he is now playing for his livelihood. Whether he leaves Arsenal in the summer his deals are dependent on his performance.
Liverpool. Nuri Sahin. Well, he was supposed to be wearing the other team’s colors. But because Liverpool were willing to pay more of his salary, not barter for an option to buy and pay a reported £5 million loan fee, he is playing for Liverpool. As soon as he is bedded in, I am sure he will be a Premier League hit.
Projected Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Rosicky (achilles) Sagna (leg) Frimpong (knee) Wilshere (foot)
Liverpool: Cole (hamstring) Lucas (thigh)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:
Liverpool: Skrtel 1, Suarez 1
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 2
Liverpool: 1
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 0
Liverpool (home): 2.0
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 0
Liverpool: (home): 2.0
Last Five (league):
Arsenal: DD
Liverpool: LD
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 0
Liverpool: -3
Match Official:
Referee: Howard Webb (Matches: 1, Red 0, Yellow 3)
Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel 0830 AM EST
UK: Sky Sports 12 1330 GMT
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Liverpool: 2
Final Words:
There are quite a few unhappy Arsenal fans. many thought – and rightly so that Arsenal should’ve been more active on the deadline day. Sure, getting Bendtner and Young out of the squad were important. But adding depth to the team was equally as important. Overall, I think the first XI are solid. But question marks remain about the squad.
There are talented players throughout but whether collectively the squad has the ability to fill in when the first team is out – which they will be – remains to be seen. Injuries will happen. They are happening. Additionally, even if Giroud comes good (which I think he will) there does not seem to be suitable support for him in the likes of Chamakh. I don’t know whether Poldi who was more impressive coming in from the left is plan B or whether its Theo but I still think we’re thin up top. Plus a defensive midfield – a lock down type was a necessity in my opinion. But none of that materialized and the squad we have is the squad we have.
I moaned for about five minutes. People have moaned, are moaning and will moan for a lot longer than I have or will. But as I look at it I support my club and this is the team my club is putting out on the field right now and the will get my support. I know – some will immediately latch on this as some sort of AKB rant. Or some sort of blind fool. I am none of the above. I am very well aware of our shortfalls as a team and that many people in charge bare the blame for them. But this is my club and I will support it.
Arsene Wenger if he was the decision make behind our standing pat on Friday now has the weight of this season and its outcome firmly on his shoulders. If the board was the driving force – ditto. In either case if the match against Liverpool goes south and the rough September turns out to be really rough – it could be a mutinous time in North London.
Well, enough of that. It’s time for a game. See you on the flip side. Stay Goonerish!
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OziKenyan, I agree with your analysis of the game.
In the first half Liverpool from a possession and momentum perspective looked better – but this is football not boxing or gymnastics and so points aren’t awarded for perceptions of style. The fact we displayed the ability to look comfortable even without possession is a huge step forward.
After we scored the goal, the tone of the game shifted and we looked even better but never dominant, happy to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. It’s hard not to think this has something to do with a more mature playing 11 – we displayed better organisation.
We did to Pool what Chelsea do to us all the time.
@Kiwi,
It’s what I would call a “workman like” performance. They had more possession, were excellent in pressing up front but never really troubled our defense unduly.
Our teams of years past would have folded and we probably would have ended up with a 2-2 draw. Some combination of Bould and experienced players has brought this transformation about and I like them for this aspect.
Like last year however, we have no quality cover for Arteta and this season brings us lack of quality coverage at both striker and AM. We are 1 or 2 injuries away from dtermining whether we we finish 3rd or 7th.
@Caribkid,
The good ol’ Arsenal mantra of:
“If only we can stay fit this season”
Stupid really. It’s a tough, long league and injuries are inevitable.
Interesting to watch Arsenal and ManU today.
Van Persie, Arsenal’s ex-striker scored a hat-trick all from crosses. Everyone of his goals was from a cross.
Contrast our play even in todays very commendable win, and the standard of the crossing was pretty dismal. There is no reason why Arsenal shouldn’t be a better crossing team, from either open play or from set pieces. If our players are so good ‘on the ball’ then they can deliver a cross. It’s simply a learned skill. But truth is we need to do a lot of work on this very teachable skillset.
Interesting to listen to Ferguson after the match. This man is as hard as nails. My guess is that he was seething after Van Persie botched the penalty – and that looked crucial. But, Van Persie redeemed the situation with 2 late goals….and so the ole Scot had to adjust his mindset. He wasn’t exactly gushing about Van Persie afterwards – but that’s Ferguson. Absoluting and totally demanding of his players.
The first three matches have had something of a surreal feel to them. AFC of the last 6-7 years has become a team rich in possession but often lacking penetration and with a frustrating glass jaw. Not so this latest team version in its first three games. Interesting. But too early to tell if this is a sustained change.
In the first games I suggested the first objective was ‘don’t lose’. Not very ambitious but from an EPL tactical viewpoint necessary. A new team (at least in attack/midfield) needs to gel and gain confidence in itself. That takes time and so the priority is results and points. One point particularly gained with a sense of defensive security was slightly above the minimum required – a C+ grade. Last night was a very good result, a win away against a strong team (on paper) and with that same defensive resolve and with two of the newboys getting goals. That’s a B+ result – if Giroud had scored that might have nudged an A grade. Well done.
So, overall, we’ve done ok after three games. Wenger will be exceptionally pleased.
With the newboys, Cazorla looks quite a player. To get a playmaker to bed-in so immediately is amazing. Podolski has looked physical and committed from day one. There is a hint of Van Persie about him, give him the ball close to goal and he’s dangerous. He can play too. Giroud cuts a more frustrated figure. I thought this was his least impressive game. In the earlier games he held the ball up well, not so much today. But…silly to judge him on 3 games.
I have to say I was impressed by Diaby, he caught my eye. He pirouettes like a ballerina – it’s quite a thing. Arteta is just a 100% pro – you gotta love a guy like this.
With the defence, where has the calm come from? Maybe it’s a mix of things; a bit of Bould, a bit of Vermaelen imposing his captaincy, a bit of nous from the German mainstay Mertesacker, a bit of discipline from the ole pro Arteta. Whatever it is I hope it deepens.
A wee break now. Then Southampton and Montpellier – maybe Giroud will get his first goal in these games? Hope so. We need results – not confidence dents. And little personal mini-wins like a goal for Giroud.
i’m so used to seeing the doom squad dominate this site. shocking then to not see them tear apart every possible fault with the team’s performance and protest that this game was just a lucky fluke. sure there were issues with today’s performance, there always will be. but one would (could?!?) hope they could be gracious when we win and collect three points, you know in the spirit of “fair and balanced”…
@jroybower,
I’m with you. But balanced suggests equal weighting on both sides – are you happy to criticise when it is deserved? Or do you simply want to view things through rose-tint glasses. Nothing wrong with the latter, probably better for your health, but it shouldn’t be misconstrued as ‘fair and balanced’.
van persie with a hattrick. you don’t sell that kind of talent. the only two players i was ever pissed that arsenal sold were vieira and van persie.
@joshuad, with his skill set, his game is not going to taper off with age. he can play on for another ten years. easily, one of ferguson’s best signings.
@joshuad,
Henry? Pires?
Absolutely agree on RVP and his skillset being suited to a long career. I’d wager Arsenal with RVP (and this squad) would be at 9 pts instead of 5..
@OziKenyan, i said half way through henry’s first season as captain that he needed to give up the armband or leave arsenal. in his second season, it was plain to see he was hampering the rest of the team taking on more initiative (everyone but rvp who didn’t seem to care about henry’s mean looks). as for pires, he wasn’t sold but decided to move to villareal on a free.
@joshuad,
I thought Pires only left because we refused to give him more than a one year contract? Or I may be misremembering… But he’s one of those with the ‘old-age skillset’ in him..
The Germanz are our best players in the first 45min.
Mertesacker saved us with a borderline takle and Poldi is our best LB the way he defends makes Gibbs look just bad. In no way do we deseve to lead but we had two great counters. Giroud works hard and his runs draw defenders but please just make the freebies.
@Ty, How in the world did Arsenal not deserve the lead? Possession was almost 50/50 – pretty good away from home. Tight defense and smart counter attacking. There was nothing undeserved.
@Ty,
We owned them today! Absolutely deserved it.
Probably no coincidence that Diaby had a good game. Consistency is what is needed. Special shout out to Poldi and especially Arteta, what a monster!
@OziKenyan, You have seen the game right ? They had better build up play all game long they faded late but still. They were more creative and active for the majority of the game and if they had a AM who could deliver a final ball and Suares on a normal day they would have been much more dangerous. I’m happy we won and in the second half I would say we were slightly better but they owned us in the first half. Efficiency win they call it and we keept 3 clean sheets in a
row witch is great.
@Ty,
We must have seen different games. Their ‘build up play’ led to nothing, the little of it there was. Other than their 17 year old Sterling, they didn’t look threatening at all and only a Mannone gaffe was going to see us concede a goal.
This was a normal day for Suarez. Lots of theatrics and very little end product.
Anfield is not an easy place to go to no matter who you are and they usually run it on for ‘big games’. I’ll be surprised if too many teams go there and play as well as we did.
I don’t realistically expect us to challenge for the title, but this was a well-deserved win and you should enjoy it. It’s some sort of opposite world where we look comfortable defensively and a bit toothless in attack.. I’m enjoying the change for now but hopefully Giroud finds his shooting boots soon.
@OziKenyan, ‘turn’
@OziKenyan, What are you talking about Suarez is a great player who for the majority of his premier League carrer has been on a bum Liverpool squad with nobody to play of of. He is world class (and I hate the guy sooooo much racist cu*t). I absolutly LOVE this win and I enjoyed it very much but we weren’t the better side. We didn’t deserve the lead in the first half you can’t dispute that they were the better side (specially because of Sterling). Joe Allen was perfect in the first half and even Gerrard wasn’t bad (he gave the ball away wich led to the goal and delivered a no show in the second half tough). We are solid but because we aren’t playing that ludacris high line anny more our pressure up the pitch is non existent and Liverpool did a way better job of pressing us I mean Poldi did so much defensive work that tells you everything you need to know who was the better side.
@Ty,
Of the countless times that United and Chelsea have played us, let us have the ball and in spite of that made us look completely inept in attack, were you saying we outplayed them? Because in those games I was saying that we got played like a fiddle and something similar happened yesterday. Just because the likes of Podolski put in a defensive shift doesn’t mean we weren’t the better team. I remember plenty of times when Rooney defended like that against us in games that United outplayed us.
We looked more solid off the ball and more threatening on it. Not sure what else we need to do to be considered more deserving. We didn’t dominate them the way we got done 8-2 for example but we absolutely deserved the win. RVP’s last minute last season would fall more along the lines of ‘undeserved’.
Do I have Arsenal coloured goggles on right now? I don’t think so but I’d love to hear others’ opinions on this..
lol, cant remember how liverpool won last game 11-2 ;) sure about that?