Matchday Preview: How Arsenal should approach Liverpool

Matchday Facts:

Kickoff: 12:30 pm eastern time

Location: Anfield

TV Channel/Streaming: NBC and Peacock

Injury Report:

Arsenal- Granit Xkaha (OUT)

Liverpool- Andrew Robertson (OUT), Jordan Henderson (AVAILABLE), Roberto Firmino (OUT), Sadio Mané (AVAILABLE)

Arsenal is heading to Anfield to take on Liverpool. Years of misery and dreadful performances from the Gunners. This time feels so different from all those years of beatdowns from Liverpool. Arsenal is heading into this marquee match unbeaten in their last 10 in all competitions. As for Liverpool, they’re in lackluster form, but that is also a result of several first-team injuries, losing their previous match to West Ham United. Arsenal in those matches have shown moments of vulnerability, so the questions arise of how can they beat this tough Liverpool side?

1. The battle of possession

One of the most prominent details in Mikel Arteta’s game plans is always maintaining a majority of possession during the match. Unfortunately, the Gunners are playing against a Jürgen Klopp side that likes to maintain control as well. For Arsenal to be successful, they’ll have to keep a strong defensive press when Liverpool are in possession, without opening wide passing lanes for the likes of Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah to race in behind. Arsenal has shown glimmers of this press successfully against Aston Villa and Watford this season, but against top sides Chelsea and Manchester City, there was no sign of the defensive press. If Arsenal can not implement Arteta’s press, they will have a hard time pushing out of their defensive third and creating chances for Aubameyang and company. On the other hand, if Arsenal is successful in the press, expect Arsenal to use the full-backs to push the ball wide and open crossing opportunities into the 18-yard box. The addition of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will help defensively maintain possession while winning key aerial attacks in set-piece plays.

2. Handling Liverpool’s high press

Arsenal fans have seen firsthand for years now how quickly the Gunners can crumble under the relentless press from Jürgen Klopp. So it’s an absolute must that they can handle it today to get a positive result at Anfield. So far this season, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, White, and Kieran Tierney/Nuno Tavares have all handled presses very well while they’re playing out from the back. Once again, Liverpool is a whole other class of press compared to the teams Arsenal have currently played, but the plan needs to remain the same if they want any positive result on the road today. The central midfield battle will become another factor in this match. With Thomas Partey fit for the match, he will have to be disciplined in his challenges and accurate with his progressive passes today.

3. Set Pieces

One of the most surprising statistics from Arsenal this season is how successful they are this season in set pieces. Arsenal has scored more than half of their goals this season from corners and free kicks, which could benefit their favor for this match. However, Arsenal will need to be aggressive in earning these set pieces and execute what they’ve practiced this season on the training ground. Set pieces will indeed become crucial if Arsenal is unable to maintain possession throughout the game.

ARSENAL LINEUP:

GK- Aaron Ramsdale

RB- Takehiro Tomiyasu

CB- Ben White

CB- Gabriel

LB- Nuno Tavares

CM- Thomas Partey

CM- Sambi Lokonga

CAM- Emile Smith Rowe

LW- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

ST- Alexandre Lacazette

RW- Bukayo Saka

Prediction:

2-1 Liverpool.

This is an extremely tough match for the Gunners. While they’re in terrific form, the problem is that this is a test like no other. Liverpool (for their standards) has their back against the walls and are desperate for a strong result. Unfortunately for Arsenal, they are the team to be facing a desperate Liverpool side. Arsenal may not be able to handle the relentless press from Liverpool and could result in costly mistakes. However, a loss will not be a setback from all the progress made this season. It doesn’t make Arsenal a team outside the top six; it will be a game to assess how to improve and continue to move forward for a push into European competition next season.