Scathed by the criticism, haunted by their immediate past and bewildered at the lack of loyalty that they have received from all bar one of their GREAT players, Liverpool will be going into this match knowing that a defeat will put them off-guard, will pave their way towards mediocrity and more importantly, will bring a grin on all those faces that has seen this club fall time and again in the last 2 decades.
If you want to look at the quality that this club from North of England have produced over the years, take a look at the testimonial of Steven Gerrard which happened last weekend.
It contain players from all the powerhouses of Europe be it Bayern Munich or Barcelona, be it Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, thus, as far as producing talent is concerned, Liverpool still share a common thing with its history.
However, if you want to analyze the impact of that quality, two European trophies in the last 20 years ooze mediocrity for a team that, once in their history, saw coming 2nd in the league as nothing during the 80’s.
While defeat might be too harsh considering their recent form, Liverpool have a history of hiccups in the Premier League when it matters. And since they never have qualified for Champions League in a season before which they finished runners up, there is an extra pressure to cope with and an extra burden to lift for the 11 players that will be in the starting lineup of the Reds on Saturday.
Pushing our attention to Arsenal and although they remain well clear of the target that was set by the pundits for them – of finishing in the top 4, the Gunners are sensing something big this season.
With quality players like Ozil and Sanchez in one team and a rare win at the Etihad coming their way over the past month, they believe they have what it takes to go that extra mile, to trap that extra fish or, in simple words, to lift the Premier League title.
While Arsenal and Premier League title seems antonyms of each other since their last win in 2005, the gunners have equal chance of winning the Premiership this season as Manchester City, who are sitting just 1 point adrift of the Gunners.
So no matter how you give or take it, but this has been the strongest position in which Arsene Wenger’s men are in, at this stage of the season for the better part of last decade. Thus, they have every reason to believe that if the team that is above them can dream of retaining the title, why not them as they aren’t too far behind.
Team News
Talking about boast and it would be a smaller word in order to indicate the happenings at the Arsenal training ground during the International break.
With players like Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Debuchy and even good ol’ Abou Diaby back into action for the junior side, it seems that the defensive monsters have finally looked elsewhere after residing at the Emirates for the whole of this season.
But with the injury that was acquired by Danny Welbeck during National duty a concern, a front three of Ozil – Giroud – Sanchez looks palatable.
Talking about Liverpool and with both Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel suspended for 2 and 3 games respectively, there will be changes in their starting lineup and a lack of options available at the bench.
However, with Lucas Leiva providing the Reds a timely boast ahead of the much needed win, the midfield department of Liverpool will be as secure as it has been in recent times this season.
Stats
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In their last five home games in the Premier League, Arsenal have kept 4 clean sheets with conceding just a single goal in the other match.
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In their last 18 away games against the Gunners, Liverpool have one just 1 losing 10 in the process
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Last player to score a hat-trick in this fixture is the Russian Andre Arshavin when he netted 4 goals at Anfield in 2009.
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This match has seen more hat-tricks than any other fixture in the Premier League history (5)
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Coming into this match, Liverpool have kept 6 consecutive clean sheets in the away games of the Premier League.
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Only Southampton have conceded less goals in the Premier League in 2015 (6) then Liverpool (7).
Probable lineups:
Liverpool
Mignolet – Toure – Sakho – Can – Henderson – Allen – Moreno – Sterling – Sturridge – Coutinho – Lallana
Arsenal
Ospina – Koscielny – Gabriel – Gibbs – Bellerin – Cazorla – Coquelin – Ozil – Giroud – Sanchez – Ramsey
Arsenal Vs Liverpool will take place at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 5th March.
Arsenal Vs Liverpool: Probable lineups, Stats, Team News
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