The Gunners return to Premier League action tomorrow in an evening battle with high flyers Liverpool. A true top six clash, and Arsenal's first real test since Man City and Chelsea back in August, Unai Emery's men will need to be well at it to get anything from this one.
Arsenal
Form: W W W W D W
League Position: 4th
Goals Scored: 26
Goals Conceded: 14
Liverpool
Form: D L D W W W
League Position: 2nd
Goals Scored: 28
Goals Conceded: 9
After stuttering last weekend against Palace and losing their winning run, Arsenal will be looking to continue the now unbeaten stretch with a point or even three at the Emirates. It will be tough and a real test of metal; Liverpool are exceptionally organised and have an incredibly dangerous front three that will be tough to keep at bay.
Arsenal's team news leaves plenty undecided with Monreal, Kolasinac, Bellerin and Sokratis all being assessed ahead kick off. However, starting in goal, Bernd Leno is expected to return. In front of him, it will either be Bellerin or Lichtsteiner at right back with Holding and Mustafi the likely central partnership. Fingers crossed for one of Nacho Monreal or Sead Kolasinac being fit to start but if not, we saw Ainsley Maitland-Niles return to action in mid week which is a welcome site. He is a more than capable option for both left and right full back, if required.
Matteo Guendouzi is suspended for this one whilst Granit Xhaka is expected to return to central midfield alongside Lucas Torreira in the engine room. Mesut Ozil is likely to also return to the midfield with recent starter Alex Iwobi and the red hot Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the attacking trio. Alex Lacazette is likely to start up top. Although, its not unlikely to see Emery throw a spanner in the works and give someone like Danny Welbeck a surprise start. It wouldn't be too much of a surprise actually knowing the work rate he puts in, and what's required for a clash like this one.
Liverpool are without their captain Jordan Henderson as well as midfield man Naby Keita. However since strengthening in key areas (Alisson, VvD, Fabinho, Keita) on top of the talented front three, the Reds are much better equipped now than they ever have been. Salah, Mane and Firmino are the likely starters and will threaten throughout. Mustafi and co will need to be at the top of their games to keep this three under control. However, in isolated areas, Liverpool are there to be got at. The midfield is likely to consist of James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana or Fabinho with the Englishman Lallana not known for hard graft or touch tackling, whilst Fabinho still remains unproven at Premier League level. Although a solid performer, Wijnaldum is not the same quality as Keita and Milner himself is no spring chicken so there are gaps to exploit. Whether it be young Joe Gomez or the more experienced Dejan Lovren at centre back, both aren't at VvD's level and should therefore be targeted. Young England full back Trent Alexander-Arnold is quality going forward but backwards he's yet to really be tested. Aubameyang should be licking his lips and be looking to go at this kid all game long.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Rob Holding
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
LB: Nacho Monreal
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
RW: Alex Iwobi
CAM: Mesut Ozil
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: 2-2; Lacazette and Ozil on the score sheet.
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