<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3mIhv1_0wNN6fE300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3mIhv1_0wNN6fE300" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>On Sunday, Arsenal host n ascendant Liverpool side comfortably tearing through their fixtures with ease, sitting atop the Premier League table. Meanwhile, the Gunners are scrambling to patch up a leaking ship after a series of underwhelming performances. It is a tale of two sides on seemingly disparate trajectories as the season carries on, with a massive 6 pointer to play. Arsenal have been reeling from injuries, can’t keep 10 men on the pitch, and are in a poor run of form (which, if we’re being honest, is a result of the first two points). A loss at home against Liverpool would put Arsenal 7 points off the top spot and put a dent in their confidence ahead of a November slate that will push them to their limits. It’s still early days, but climbing out of a deficit is not where you want to be by Christmas. Despite the perceived doom and gloom, you can’t take Mikel Arteta’s track record against the Big 6 over the last two years for granted. For all of the frustrations, there is still the stone cold fact that Arsenal show up for the big matches. But with players missing and the attack not fully clicking, can he find another gear to overcome the streaking visitors and rekindle the Gunners’ successful run of form? Here are 5 talking points ahead of Sunday’s match:<h2>Know the Enemy</h2>Liverpool has begun the season under new manager Arne Slot about as successfully as they could hope for. They have won 12 from their first 13 matches across all competitions, and, more impressively, have done so while allowing only 4 goals. Say what you will for the quality of the opposition they have faced, but they have taken care of business like a top club should. Some anticipated growing pains as the club transitioned from Jurgen Klopp, but considering Slot inherited a complete squad that challenged for the title last season without losing any key contributors, their success is less surprising. The addition of Federico Chiesa has bolstered their side, and the rise of Ryan Gravenberch in the midfield has shored up one of their only areas of weakness. The attack remains deep and deadly when they are firing on all cylinders. If there is one issue they are facing, it is the reliance on aging players who are at the end of their contracts. Mohammed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk have been the standard bearers at their positions for the better part of a decade, but are both out of contract in the summer. <h2>Last Time Out</h2>Arsenal hosted Liverpool in February, putting forward one of the most resounding performances of the season as they bested the Merseyside titans 3-1 at the Emirates. The victory came during Arsenal’s sensational run of form in the second half of the season that had them within a hair of taking the title. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring when he tucked away a rebound off of a Kai Havertz shot before both sides saw gaffes at the back result in fairly silly goals. Arsenal were at the cusp of entering halftime 1-0 before miscommunication between David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes saw the ball end up in the back of the net off the defender. The football gods balanced the ledger when Allison and Virgil Van Dijk got tangled up on a long ball, which landed in the path of an unmarked Gabriel Martinelli, who placed it into a wide open net. Leandro Trossard added some gloss with a stoppage time goal that put an emphatic exclamation mark on a dominant display where Arsenal allowed 1 shot on goal to a typically lethal Liverpool attack. All-Time Record against Liverpool: 83-64-95Last 5 matches: L-W-D-D-W<h2>Injuries &amp; Suspensions</h2>Arsenal’s injury issues have begun to mount, making Arteta’s selection increasingly difficult. Starters Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori have all been recent additions to the injured list, all listed as questionable for Sunday. Martin Ødegaard has yet to be reintroduced to training following his awful ankle injury in mid-September. With no definitive update by Arteta on Friday, it’s safe to assume he won’t be a factor till after the next international break. The biggest blow may be William Saliba’s suspension after earning a red card against Bournemouth. The partnership between he and Gabriel is among the best in world football. Now, facing the league’s top attack, the backline will be forced into a reshuffle. On the Liverpool side of things, they look to be without Diogo Jota, Allison, and Harvey Elliot for Sunday’s match. <h2>Predicted Lineup</h2>This match is going to be the biggest test of Arsenal’s depth to date. With how quickly the injuries have ripped through the squad, Mikel Arteta has his hands full with how he will line his side up for the game. Attack: Martinelli, Havertz, JesusThe attack we saw on Tuesday is, considering our injuries, probably our best. Martinelli in particular looked sharp against Shakhtar on Tuesday and was, at times, the sole creative spark for the attack. Kai will start up top. On the right, assuming Saka doesn’t start, Gabriel Jesus proved a capable option out wide and looked good despite not finding the back of the net.Midfield: Rice, Partey, Trossard. An unchanged midfield is the most likely outcome. Thomas Partey has looked the best he has in quite some time with his ball progression and ability to break the press. Declan Rice at the 8 is fine. He has not looked close to his best this season, but not having Martin Ødegaard to play alongside will do that. Despite his recent slate of not-so-great performances, Leandro Trossard should take the third MF role to add some creativity. Defense: Zinchenko, Gabriel, White, Timber Oh boy. This is where it gets tricky. Arsenal’s options at the back have been severely hindered as a result of injuries and suspensions. Left back is going to be a huge point of contention on Sunday. Mo Salah has been a perpetual nuisance for Arsenal, and whoever lines up against him will have their hands full. If he is fit, I think Timber is the best player suited to mark the dynamic Egyptian. But, due to Saliba’s suspension, White will likely slide inside to play CB, which means Timber would be the sole player able to play RB.I picked Zinny to play LB due to his experience. He is flawed, but I think the criticisms of his abilities have a tendency to be drastically overblown. His distribution could make up for the lack creativity without Ødegaard and Saka. Let’s not forget how prolific Gabriel Martinelli was with Zinchenko behind him on the left two seasons ago.The sun rises, the sun sets, and David Raya starts in goal. <img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2PJaUf_0wNN6fE300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2PJaUf_0wNN6fE300" width="959" height="1197" ><h2>Digging Deep</h2>The Gunners’ season has not gone how they would like for many reasons. Regardless, they are still in the thick of it, and very much alive across all competitions. The sky isn’t falling, but a few cracks have shown and have sent some fans scrambling to prepare for some inevitable fallout.This match is going to be one of the season’t biggest tests of the club’s depth and fortitude. The players know what is at stake, and they also know how quickly the narrative shifts from “contenders” to “pretenders” after a performance. No matter who is on the pitch, it’s going to take every bit of their skill, ability, and belief to leave the match with 3 points and the momentum to propel them forward. Time to dig deep, find the next level, and remind the fans and pundits who this side are. I won’t lie; this match does not instill me with confidence. But football is a crazy sport, and as we have seen this season, a lot can happen in 90 minutes, as well as in 90 seconds. The Gunners will no doubt want to stamp their names on this match and reclaim their stake in the title race that many have already begun to write them out of. If they can come out, keep their composure, and not put themselves into more tough situations, they can make it their match to win. WHO: Arsenal vs LiverpoolWHAT: Premier League Match Day 9WHEN: Sunday, October 27th, 12:30pm EST/9:30am PST/5:30pm GMTWHERE: The Emirates Stadium, LondonHOW TO WATCH: Streaming live on the Peacock appFor all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not discuss or share links to illegal streams here.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Arsenal vs Liverpool Preview: Stepping Up

On Sunday, Arsenal host n ascendant Liverpool side comfortably tearing through their fixtures with ease, sitting atop the Premier League table. Meanwhile, the Gunners are scrambling to patch up a leaking ship after a series of underwhelming performances. It is a tale of two sides on seemingly disparate trajectories as the season carries on, with a massive 6 pointer to play.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Preview: Stepping Up

Related Search

Comments /

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Comments / 0