Week 2 of the Premiership season is underway tomorrow and one of the biggest games of the season happens at The Emirates Stadium in Asburton Grove, with Arsenal hosting Liverpool at 12:30 GMT on Saturday, August 19, 2011.
I predict a 3-0 mauling of Arsenal by Liverpool.
- Assuming it's Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, up front, for Liverpool versus Thomas Vermaelen and Lorient Koscielny, in defence, for Arsenal; it follows that Vermaelen, being more robust with a great vertical, takes Carroll. Which means Suarez will be able to attack Koscielny at will. While this pairing is a colossal mismatch, it is rather less daunting for Arsenal than the reverse. if Vermaelen, being a better defender, marks the better forward, Suarez, it's Carroll on Koscielny - the ramification of which should make any Gunner fan shudder shudder. Either way, Liverpool's forwards will wreak havoc against Arsenal, despie the fact that Koscielny is a handy tackler and generally plays well against the bigger teams (see, United, Barcelona, Chelsea in 2010-11). +1 Liverpool goal.
- Suarez likes to drift, both in and wide. With no Alex Song and no established DM to speak of, the wily Uruguayan will run amok just in front of the Arsenal area. Expect plenty of free kicks and players pulled out of position. With plenty of set piece chances for Liverpool to score from. +1 Liverpool goal.
- Stewart Downing's crosses on the left flank for Liverpool, will be crucial for Carroll but Bacary Sagna, Arsenal's first choice right back, may be able to keep him in his pocket if he tracks him higher up the pitch. Even.
- Charlie Adam, if deployed on the right again, will murder whatever Arsenal pass off as a Left-Back these days. More so now that Kieran Gibbs is injured, again. More so now that Carl Jenkinson is the choice to start. Also see point three above about crosses, something Adam deals well in as well. +1 Liverpool goal.
- Theo Walcott may well destroy the Liverpool Right Back if its Jack Flanagan. Less so if its Glen Johnson. Either way, he's a threat from/on/down the right. +0.5 Arsenal goal.
- A late appearance for Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, perhaps even in tandem with Walcott may make things interesting, especially if either or both take advantage of tired 'Pool legs to wreak some havoc with their pace. +0.5 Arsenal goal.
- Robin Van Persie can ruin a Centre-half's night, but he seems out of it so far this season, just a yard to slow so far (To be fair it's only been two games in anger). However without Gervinho to pull the other CB out of position, RVP will be nullified. Even.
- Andrei Arshavin and Aaron Ramsey, in space, can cause significant damage while opening up the Lucas Leiva led defensive unit. But with no third peg, so to speak, and a Liverpool team that will close down and harry them, their efforts may be muted and if anything they might spend the afternoon tracking back or on the back foot altogether. Even.
An interesting match awaits.
An interesting match awaits.
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