It is no secret that Arsenal have a poor record away from home against the traditional top six teams. Their last win came at The Etihad against Manchester City, where a Santi Cazorla masterclass saw The Gunners win 2-0. 

However, Arsenal did beat both Man City and Chelsea to win their 14th FA Cup. They also beat Liverpool in the Community Shield, which suggests that tonight's game at Anfield maybe closer than previous years. 

However, it is still a big task for Mikel Arteta's side to get anything from Anfield, with only Burnley taking points away from The Reds last season. If Arsenal are going to get anything from the game, they are going to need to win these key battles. 

  • Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang V Trent Alexander Arnold

So much of Liverpool's success comes from their full backs with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson contributing so much in an attacking sense as well as their defensive duties.

However, with both full backs often attacking at the same time it can leave Liverpool exposed if the opposition win the ball back.

That means space for wingers to exploit. Liverpool never seem to change their game plan whoever they're playing, which could mean Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang gets space to run into. This was seen in the Community Shield when Aubameyang was given time to cut inside and finish brilliantly. 

However, whilst Aubameyang may be allowed space in an attacking scenarios, he will have to help defensively when Alexander-Arnold ventures forward.

Aubameyang has never had a problem tracking back and helping defensively. Alexander-Arnold is top draw, the Arsenal skipper will need to be switched on at all times.

 

  • Hector Bellerin V Sadio Mane 

Just like Arsenal, wingers are absolutely crucial to Liverpool's success and in Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, The Reds boast two of the best wingers in the world.

It was Salah who grabbed the headlines against Leeds in their opening game of the season, with the Egyptian getting a hattrick.

It was Mane against Chelsea when the Senegalese international grabbed both goals in their 2-0 win over the Blues.

Mane has brilliant work rate and is happy to contribute defensively as well as in attack.

Presumably, Arsenal will continue to play three at the back, meaning Bellerin will play at right wing-back. This gives him the license to go forward and while it is important for him to do so, it is even more important that he remembers his primary role and doesn't leave the centre backs exposed.

They can't allow a situation where Mane is one on one against an Arsenal centre half. This is a battle in which Mane is most likely to win with his pace and skill. 

Bellerin and Mane will both use their pace when they meet on Monday Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Bellerin and Mane will both use their pace when they meet on Monday Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

 

Granit Xhaka V Gini Wijnaldum

Liverpool could be without a number of key midfielders for Monday's clash, with captain Jordan Henderson out and Jurgen Klopp not sure if new signing, Thiago, will be fit or not.

Joe Gomez missed the game last week against Chelsea, which saw Fabinho slot into centre back. This could be the case again with Liverpool's limited options.

Because of both teams formations, with Arsenal lining up in a 3-4-3 and Liverpool 4-3-3, it means that Liverpool will outnumber Arsenal in the centre of midfield. Gini Wijnaldum will be one of those in the Liverpool midfield with his energy in both an attacking and defensive sense.

Wijnaldum will be marked by Granit Xhaka, which will be an interesting clash in the midfield.

Wijnaldum has the pace and dribbling advantage over Xhaka. to excel past the Dutchman, Xhaka will have to use his passing range and strength in challenges to gain the advantage.

It is a battle Arsenal really need to win with the numerical advantage Liverpool have in midfield.

Xhaka cannot allow Wijnaldum to control the midfield for Liverpool.

The same goes for Dani Ceballos, who will be up against Naby Keita. Their attacking instinct could make it an open game in Merseyside. 

   

VAVEL Logo
About the author