Arsenal vs Liverpool: Combined XI | Premier League 2020-21

Midfield: Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)

Jordan Henderson is one of the Premier League's most inspirational captains.

For all of their success, Liverpool’s central midfield hasn’t looked all that strong recently. That means that surprisingly, the roles of the holding midfielder and playmaker both go to Arsenal players.

Thomas Partey has not yet displayed his best form at Arsenal. He’s made just 15 appearances for the Gunners since his move from Atletico Madrid. But he already looks like an excellent buy, averaging high on tackles per game, pass success rate, and interceptions per game.

And given Liverpool’s Fabinho has largely been deployed as a central defender this season, it’s Partey who takes the holding spot in this team.

Working in this side’s engine room is Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

Often criticized for lacking natural ability on the ball, Henderson makes up for this with an all-action, box-to-box style. Few other Premier League players drive their side on quite like the England man, even if his statistics aren’t outstanding in any area.

Finally, with Liverpool relying more on their forwards and full-backs for creativity, Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe makes it into this side as its playmaker.

Still only 20 years old, Smith Rowe has made 12 starts in the Premier League this season and has already made his mark, providing the creative spark that the Gunners were missing.

Interestingly, none of Liverpool’s midfielders – even Thiago Alcantara – can match his number of assists (4). And the England u21 international also ranks highly in terms of key passes per game (1.5) and pass success rate (88.4%).

He’s capable of opening an opponent’s defense in a way that none of Liverpool’s current midfielders can.