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Arsenal is in 2nd place in the Premier League points table after two matchdays. The Gunners defeated Newcastle United in their first outing by a solitary goal through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In their second game, they defeated Burnley at home by 2 goals to 1, as Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang struck for the gunners.
The next-stop for the Gunners will be at Anfield to face the UEFA Champions League holders Liverpool. Liverpool have also maintained a 100% win record in the Premier League following victories over Norwich and Southampton. The Reds put four goals past Norwich at Anfield and defeated Southampton 2-1 away from home.
With current champions Manchester City dropping points against Tottenham last weekend, this game presents an opportunity for either of Arsenal or Liverpool to maintain the fragile lead on the top of the table.
Let us look at 3 men who Unai Emery needs at their best to win at Anfield:
#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
This the rule #1 in football. You don't win if you don't score and thus Arsenal will look up to their prime goalscorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in front of the Kop. Arsenal's attacking duo of Lacazette and Aubameyang is deadly when at their best but they are yet to get into their groove this season.
Aubameyang has scored in both games this season for Arsenal and will be hoping to make it 3 out of 3. Liverpool are well-protected thanks to the rear guard consisting of Virgil van Dijk. Van Dijk is one defender who won't get caught out of position like Schar did against Arsenal. To bypass Virgil, you need continuous and tireless movement.
It has been noticed that if van Dijk has a weakness, it is his reading of the through balls. He allowed Southampton forward Che Adams get a free header on a lobbed through ball, and let Danny Ings run behind him to try and tap in the ball, both last week against the Saints. It also happened in the UCL first leg against Barcelona, when he didn't deal with Luis Suarez's run and ended up conceding the goal.
If Arsenal look to exploit this side of his game, then Aubameyang should be the go-to man. He always finds himself at the end of the deliveries and he is a clinical finisher of the ball. Arsenal will hope that Auba can torment the Liverpool backline with his pace and movement, which he is very able to do.
#2 David Luiz
As solid as Liverpool's defence is, their attack is their biggest asset, in particular, their attacking trident. It is beautiful and frightening at the same time, that one of the three always steps up to torment the opposition, even if the others are having an off day. Against Southampton, Salah was poor, but Mane was good. Last year at Anfield, it was Roberto Firmino who rattled the disintegrated Gunners defence.
Standing tall to this attack cannot afford any passivity on part of the defenders. Moreover, to deal with the Gegenpress, the defenders need to be comfortable on the ball as much as the other players. To counter the nightmare press of Liverpool, David Luiz will be an important presence in the backline.
Not only is Luiz a good ball-playing centre back, but he is also very solid defensively and has the experience to soak up pressure from the opposition, and he is a good commander of the backline. We don't need to go long back in time to find an example of a David Luiz masterclass against a high pressing team.
Last season against Manchester City, he won the most number of aerial duels and completed 100% tackles in a game that ended 2-0 for Chelsea, despite City boasting 14 shots and 62% possession.
Unai Emery needs a strikingly similar performance against Liverpool from his newest defensive acquisition.
#1 Dani Ceballos
Dani Ceballos announced his arrival to the Premier League in some style against Burnley. The Spaniard was brilliant in the game and won the Man of the Match award, for his 2 assists that won Arsenal the game.
If the midfield battle is not won, then there is always a risk of ending up on the losing side, so a midfielder is always one of the pivotal players in a team. If control in the midfield is what one demands, then Dani Ceballos is there to offer just that. Ceballos completed 63 passes in the last game at over 90% accuracy and touched the ball 97 times.
Ceballos won 9 duels and completed 4 dribbles out of his attempted 4 in the last game against Burnley. He is not reluctant to do the dirty work either, which becomes important to nullify high pressing teams who play on possession, as evident by his five attempted tackles and 17 duels in total against Burnley.
If Arsenal looks to retain possession and play, even then Ceballos would be a key figure, just like he was against Sevilla for Real Madrid last season.
On the ball, off the ball, and on current form, Dani Ceballos will be a lethal weapon in the midfield, which is a department where Liverpool doesn't boast as much prowess as compared to their defence and attack.
