The Gunners will take on Arne Slot’s Liverpool this weekend. Arsenal suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Marco Silva’s team last week and would look to bounce back. Liverpool, on the back of a good win against Chelsea at Anfield, would see this as a great opportunity to get seven points clear of Arsenal if they win this weekend. Mikel Arteta’s job gets tougher with every new injury at Arsenal. The Gunners will be without many starting players against the league leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal can’t afford to lose on Sunday. They have seen in the past few years how valuable every single point is in the Premier League, after finishing second twice in a row by five points in the 2022/23 season and then by just two points last season. Let’s talk about the importance of the game for both sides and look at the players who can make the difference in the tie.
Arsenal are short on players and confidence
The Gunners lost their first game of the season at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth last week. Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat after William Saliba’s red card at the thirty-minute mark. It was also their first match without Bukayo Saka this season. The English winger, who is Arsenal’s best attacker, returned after the international break with a hamstring injury. Saka carried the attacking load on his own after Martin Odegaard got hurt during the international break before this one. Arsenal won their last game in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk, but it wasn’t the kind of victory that will get fans excited for the game next week against Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s job this weekend won’t be easy. Even though he said that Arsenal will be flying against Liverpool. Quite honestly, it’s hard to imagine. If Bukayo Saka does not play, Arsenal will need Martinelli, Trossard, and Havertz to step up. Raheem Sterling will most probably replace Bukayo Saka on the right but it’s up to the other three to show what they are made of. Trossard Missed a penalty in the Champions League game but Gabriel Martinelli was the POTM in the same game. Martinelli has chipped in with goals and assists during Odegaard’s absence and his matchup against Trent will be key.
Gabriel Martinelli scored three and assisted two goals in the six games that he has played against Liverpool. Fans will hope to see him add more to the list and help Arsenal win or draw. If The Gunners lose points on Sunday, the climb to the top will be harder.
Liverpool’s biggest test under Arne Slot
With the kind of fixtures on the way for Liverpool, you will hear this a lot in the coming weeks. First, it was Chelsea, I thought The Blues played well and it was Liverpool’s discipline in defense and the ability to finish chances in attack that won the game for them. Up next are The Gunners. Arsenal will have to break the league’s best defense without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. This will be Slot’s first match against a real contender and luckily for him, they are badly injury-struck.
Riccardo Calafiori landed very awkwardly in the last match, and it will be a shock for me if I see him starting. Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka can make the squad for the game but it’s highly unlikely. To add to their misery, William Saliba, one of the world’s best center backs will miss the game. He picked up a red card last week and will serve his suspension. Tomiyasu is out and that could lead to Kiwior starting.
Liverpool on the other hand will be without Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa. The Reds have looked in control under Slot. Klopp’s team would bring the game to Arsenal, this Liverpool is different. Getting past their defense without Saka or Odegaard will be very tough for Arsenal. I believe that Arteta will eventually find a way to get a draw out of it but it’s going to be tough.
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