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Come September, there is one fixture on the list that intrigues me the most. Liverpool versus Arsenal. No, they are not Barcelona or Chelsea, two clubs I have grown to dislike over the past decade, but yet the Anfield-based team has a certain thing to it, that makes this fixture my favorite of the season.
For some reason, Anfield is one of those few places where the charm of the classic 90′s football, our generation grew up in, hasn’t faded away at all. Over the summer of 2012, the Scouser’s have been engaged in a long stretched battle with Arsenal over the signature of Nuri Sahin on a loan deal from Real Madrid, and it remains to be seen, as to what shade of red the player will be donning this season. Though there are recurring rumors about talks being at the final stages between the North London club and Madrid, nothing has ever been true until the clubs have posted an announcement on their websites.
Historically, Arsenal and Liverpool are two of the most successful clubs in England, though recently Chelsea and Manchester City have decided to play pretenders to the throne, and tout their recent successes as proof of their rightful claim to the honor. Hate apart, the reality remains that Arsenal have been in and out of the title race over the past seven years, and haven’t had a single trophy to their name. There have been calls for Arsene Wenger’s neck, the fans haven’t been happy either with the rise in ticket prices or the silent ownership of Stan Kroenke. While the club has always been secretive about strategy and its finances, the recent sales of top players has brought the likes of Ivan Gazidis and Alisher Usmanov under heavy criticism. While some optimists might blame the fact that Darren Dein was influential in the sale of the stars like RvP, Nasri, Adebayor and Clichy, there are some skeletons that have been safely locked away in the dark of Arsenal’s closets.
Liverpool on the other hand, have won the Champions League in Istanbul in 2005, the FA Cup in the next and the Carling Cup last season, but since the 2008-09 season, the club has been in mass decline, failing to qualify for any European competition at one point. This season’s European presence was vouched for by the Carling Cup victory over Cardiff. The Abramovich-Perez-Moratti like sacking of managers since the departure of Rafa Benitez, the mismanagement of Gillet and Hicks, does little to highlight their ambitions and cause.
To the game talk then…
Arsenal have been surprisingly nifty in the transfer market this season, and have picked three of the top players, one each, from three of the top leagues in Europe. Lukas Podolski has already impressed with his goal scoring abilities during the preseason game against his former employers, Cologne and was also rather instrumental in the game versus Sunderland.
Cazorla is every bit the player that the club had promised the fans he would be; technically astute, thrift and with an eye for goal. Giroud’s impact can’t be fairly assessed with the 20 minute appearance against Sunderland. The defense was clicking, and Per-Vermaelen could actually be a formidable partnership, easing out the load on Laurent Koscielny. Jenkinson might have looked out of place, going up front, but his ripe age is a clause he can invoke in his defense. The usually unimpressive Abou Diaby had one of his better days, and could put press for a place in the line up in the up coming games. The lanky Frenchman can possibly succeed Alex Song in the defensive midfield role with more consistency in his performances.
Liverpool had a rather lackluster show in the preseason, with a goalless draw against FC Toronto, a draw against Spurs and a defeat to AS Roma. The opening defeat had a few highs, though a 3-goal defeat leaves them at the wrong end of the table. For one, the Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva partnership was a success. While Leiva might have played well in the entire preseason, the EPL is something you have to take time to adapt to, after a major break. Up front, they sure do have a formidable strike pair in Suarez and Borini, though the addition of Stewart Downing makes it look rather unsavory. Downing is a player who has only risen against lower-league opposition, and has no claims to his position in the squad. Craig Bellamy should have been given a longer stay at the club, in what is strictly my opinion. Steven Gerrard has a passion for the game, but after a rather illustrious career, the age factor is not on his side. While he may want to burst forward into attack, it is natural that Roger’s might want to tame down the player’s offensive plays and maybe settle him down in a Scholes-like role.
Going forward, Arsenal have the strongest and proven front line on paper. Podolski managed to net 22 goals for Cologne, while Giroud was the top scorer in Ligue 1, and will be scoring for Arsenal, by the time they face Liverpool. Cazorla and Walcott were often seen exchanging spots during their last two games together, moving into a central role and supporting each other. While the Englishman will be blamed for his finishing, he remains to be a threat. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could start in the heart of midfield or on wing, and prove to do similar damage in the form of assists, if not goals. Gervinho’s movements in the box have improved and if started, could confusion amongst the likes of Agger and Skrtel.
Borini was exceptional in the Europa League game against FC Gomel, and had Roger’s not opted to play Suarez in a more central role, could have managed a goal against West Brom. Suarez did manage to give the WBA centerbacks a nightmare, but had quiet spells for most times. They also have a decent aerial threat in the form of Andy Carroll, who could be brought on for impact. If the move for Adam Johnson materializes before this fixture, the Arsenal full backs will have something to worry about. Of course, Steven Gerrard is a an obvious threat, and analyzing his presence would simply be an dishonor to him.
In goal, Liverpool have possibly one of the best keepers in the world, Pepe Reina, while Arsenal have also managed to get the best out of Wojciech Szczesny, and will hope that he has put his penchant for blunders in the big games, behind him (read, Poland’s opening game in the the Euro’s, and the Carling Cup final).
Defensively, Arsenal look more comfortable with Vermaelen and Koscielny at the heart of the back four, with Gibbs and Jenkinson expected to man the flanks. Agger and Skrtel looked out of place against WBA, but a single game hardly speaks about the abilities of the duo.
While my observations tilt the game in Arsenal’s favor, Liverpool are almost always immortal at Anfield in front of their faithful. The chants of YNWA and other LFC anthems will no doubt nullify the Arsenal away support throughout the 90 minutes, and fortify their presence as a 12th player in the stadium.
To put the game on paper now, I will predict an electrifying 2-1 victory for Arsenal, or in the worst case, a drab 1-1 draw. Two Arsenal players to look out for will be Santi Cazorla and Laurent Koscielny. Santi will want to make an impact for his new club, at one of the most historic footballing venues in the world, and Koscielny, well, he’s just my favorite Gunner at the moment, and could keep Suarez away from mischief. Liverpool’s new signing Fabio Borini intrigues me the most, and would be most likely to score a goal. The other Liverpool player is a tough three way dance to choose from, between El Pistolero, Reina and Leiva. Yet Lucas prevails.
Not a derby in logic, but yet a classic annual fixture to look forward too.
