Match to be played on Saturday 2nd November 2013 at 17:30. Venue: Emirates Stadium, London.
Arsenal will be looking to put a rare defeat behind them when they take on Liverpool in this Saturday’s late kick-off.
The Gunners were well beaten by Chelsea at home in the League Cup but they have to quickly re-focus on maintaining their positive start to the Premier League.
Liverpool will go to the Emirates Stadium full of confidence and looking to make a point against Arsenal, who they could well be competing against for the Premier League title next year.
The Gunners will also be strongly tested by the diverse tactics and systems that Brendan Rodgers has proven he can successfully deploy with his current crop of players.
Here is the side Arsene Wenger could go with for the game.
GK – Wojciech Szczesny
The Polish goalkeeper should come back into the side and take his place in goal. He’s providing stability for the side this season, which gives the back four in front of him a lot of confidence. He’s a very proactive goalkeeper and his distribution this season has been good, which will be useful for quickly releasing pressure.
RB – Bacary Sagna
Sagna should be better off for having a rest from mid-week duties. He offers a lot of experience down the right hand side of the pitch and will be a very important player up against Philippe Coutinho, if the Brazilian returns to Liverpool’s team.
CB – Per Mertesacker
The big German will slot right back into the heart of the defence. He’s been playing well this season and his experience will serve him well in the face of two very talented attacking players. Don’t expect to see him leaving himself exposed, high up the pitch against the pace of Liverpool’s attack.
CB – Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny is one of the quickest players in the Arsenal defence. He’ll most likely play on Luis Suarez’ side of the pitch which means he needs to be fully focused and concentrating throughout the game to keep the Uruguayan quiet.
LB – Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs has the opportunity to have a real impact down his side of the pitch due to the system Liverpool use. If Arsenal can break quickly, Gibbs is an ideal full back to have running into space. He can exploit gaps which will appear as Glen Johnson pushes forward.
RM – Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey didn’t play as well against Chelsea as we have seen him perform already this season. However, he has to keep his place in the side because he’s proven to be one of the best midfielders at the club this season when it comes to make runs and popping up in attacking positions.
DM – Mikel Arteta
Arteta should return to the side after missing the League Cup game against Chelsea due to a suspension. With Mathieu Flamini unavailable through injury, Arteta has a big role to play in terms of protecting the defence and winning back possession.
CM – Jack Wilshere
Wilshere managed to play the complete 90 minutes, shrugging off any doubts over an ankle injury setback. He’ll be the player urged to sit in the middle, rotating with others as they find themselves out of position around the pitch. He can drop in defensively or push up with the attack.
AM – Mesut Ozil
Ozil is likely to float in behind the main striker. He’s been at his best this season when Arsenal have given him a free role and he’s not been confined by a particular tactic of the opposition. His ability to create chances and provide assists isn’t something which needs to be sold.
LM – Santo Cazorla
Cazorla is in a similar position to Ramsey in the respect that he’s not a natural wide man, always looking to come inside to get involved with the play. Arsenal may need him to stay wider to make the most of space down his side but he’s someone who can be effective from all areas of the pitch.
ST – Olivier Giroud
Ideally Wenger wouldn’t have brought Giroud on against Chelsea, but he instantly looked more threatening than Nicklas Bendtner. Expect to see him lead the Arsenal attack with the same passion and drive he’s already displayed this season.
What do you think? Who do you want to see in the team?
Ramsey wasn't so convincing on the last few matches but he could be an excellent substitute to rev up the second half. So I think Rosicky at CM and Jacky boy at RM position would be better :)
ReplyDeleteI think garnby should start the match with his speed he can give Arsenal the mobility that we need in both defence n attack our archillies heels will be our defensive midfield n defense if we can keep our game compact in the midfied n be potent in our attack I think we have a 70% chance of carrying the day
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