4 reasons why Arsenal can win against Liverpool at Anfield | Premier League 2018/19

Liverpool vs Arsenal
Liverpool vs Arsenal

A big game is on its way as the mighty Liverpool take on Arsenal at the legendary stadium of Anfield, and it is going to be a cracker of a game, without a shadow of a doubt. Liverpool currently sits on the top of the Premier League table, six points clear to Tottenham who are second, whereas Arsenal are struggling to keep pace and are finding it difficult to get into the top 4.

There is a difference of 13 points between both the sides on the table, and therefore, it is a must-win game for Arsenal as they dropped points at Brighton on Boxing day.

Liverpool are the favourites to win the game, certainly, but Arsenal have performed with immense dedication and passion when playing against the "top 6". Though they commenced their 2018/19 season with a loss to Manchester City, the North London side gave a tough fight against their city-rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and were favourites to win till the 70th minute. But then came Hazard and he turned the tables.

Arsenal has a huge test ahead this week, and if they could pull out a win or at least a draw against the Premier League leaders, it can act as a vital boost for the squad for the upcoming games.

Here are 3 reasons why I feel Arsenal do stand a chance to grab all the points against Liverpool at Anfield.


#4 Fatigue striking Liverpool forwards

Salah is the second joint-top scorer in the Premier League (12 goals)
Salah is the second joint-top scorer in the Premier League (12 goals)

A game at Anfield is never boring, and the players play their heart out when playing at home. You can never hear anything except the long-lasting chants by the fans dedicated to specific players, or at times, the whole team. To make it even worse, the booing to the opposition players is a major reason why Liverpool are undefeated at home.

However, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Xherdan Shaqiri played the whole 90 minutes against Newcastle just two days ago. Though they won four goals to nil, the forwards do not have much time to recover from the game, and this might affect their play against Arsenal.

The likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil were benched after halftime, and Aaron Ramsey came on late in the second half, with Alex Iwobi having adequate rest as well. The forward line for Arsenal will consist Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lacazette and Ozil and Iwobi if they are to play a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Emery still has suitable options for the forward line, despite the fact that his key player Henrikh Mkhitaryan is injured. However, Jurgen Klopp's team selection will be a tough one and a perfect one will eventually win him the game.

#3 Unai Emery's sharp tactics

Emery has done a great job in getting Arsenal back on track
Emery has done a great job in getting Arsenal back on track

Unai Emery is one of the best learners there is. Being a Spanish manager, he does not believe in winning the game with physicality or luck. He rarely gets his decisions wrong, and the games are won in his mind even before the whistle.

Emery tends to study his opponents thoroughly before stepping on the pitch. He prefers a three-man defence for sides who tend to play on crosses and headers but chooses a 4-2-3-1 against sides who play possession-based. However, lately, he has stuck to the three-man defence as he plans to concede less. But keeping a clean sheet against Liverpool is more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack.

His tactics change from game to game are proof that the manager doesn't believe in a permanent starting eleven. His line-ups keep changing from game to game, and that is the speciality he has, which has certainly paid off for Arsenal.

#2 Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka's robust midfield partnership

Torreira has been essential for Arsenal's midfield
Torreira has been essential for Arsenal's midfield

Arsenal has never lost a game when Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira started in the midfield as a double-pivot. This duo is extremely vital and the efficiency they possess is outstanding. Torreira won the MOTM award last time he faced Liverpool, and Klopp's men must be ready for him. Torreira is arguably better than several other defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and he is yet to unleash his true self.

Xhaka has never played at such a great level for Arsenal. Emery has heavily influenced his game, which includes decision making, positioning, passing and vision. The Swiss international has played a crucial role for Unai, and the 26-year-old is only getting better and better with Torreira alongside him. And unsurprisingly, this duo have set Arsenal ablaze.

Matteo Guendouzi, one of Emery's signings, have impressed the Gooners with his amazing composure and confidence on the ball, and he offers the necessary competition for the starting eleven midfielders.

With two of Arsenal's three centre-backs injured, we will have to wait to see how Emery makes them both play. If Shkodran Mustafi will be fit for the game, it is going to be a three-man defence consisting of him, Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny.

#1 Aubameyang and Lacazette's extraordinary form

 19 goals shared between this duo in the Premier League this term
19 goals shared between this duo in the Premier League this term

The man in form Aubameyang leads the goalscoring chart with 13 goals to his name, one more than Salah and Harry Kane. This will be a huge trial for both Salah and Aubameyang, as they go face to face.

Well, Aubameyang partner-in-crime Lacazette has also been in sublime form, scoring 6 goals and providing 5 assists, 3 of it to Aubameyang, despite starting just 10 games this term in the league.

The game against Liverpool is a real deal and the quality they both possess will be put to test when they play at Anfield. Except for the very first game against Manchester City, Arsenal have never completed a game without scoring.

Aubameyang and Lacazette have scored 23 goals and have bagged 10 assists across all competitions this season, and they will be looking to tear apart the rugged Liverpool defence.

Do not miss this game!

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Edited by Victor R. Lopez M.