Arsenal Vs Liverpool: Need for perfect defensive performance

Arsenal host Liverpool on Saturday evening. If they harbour any hopes of getting a result from this match, Unai Emery’s team will need an almost perfect defensive performance.

Arsenal vs Liverpool. What are the first thoughts that come to your mind about this fixture? Goals galore, defensive lapses and a usually entertaining game for a neutral. 3-3; 4-4; 4-0; 3-1; 5-1….

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During the Thierry Henry days, I personally used to look forward to this fixture. Arsenal used to dominate the ‘once-European’ giants. But over the last few years, especially after that fateful trip to Anfield in which Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge ripped the Gunners to shreds, it is fair to say that the tables have turned.

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In the past, while l was always wary of Liverpool’s attacking threat, I felt that Arsenal could score against a notoriously leaky defence. But Liverpool are no longer a defensively vulnerable team. They have the second best defensive record in the Premier League this season and have conceded very few clear-cut chances since Virgil van Dijk’s arrival in January. And this, for me, is the most worrying aspect of this fixture.

It will be a Herculean task to keep the Liverpool attack quite, especially with the injury crisis at full back. What makes me feel worse is the fact that there won’t be a Simon Mignolet in goal who can be beaten by a long ranger; or a Dejan Lovren who will concede a soft penalty. This Liverpool team won’t give Arsenal a chance to come back like they did last time.

The funny thing is that Jurgen Klopp is predominantly known for playing attacking — maybe overly-attacking — football. But under him, this Liverpool team has gradually, and expensively, addressed their issues at the back. Loris Karius was sent packing, Lovren can’t get into the first 11 and they broke the transfer record to sign Alison Becker. Klopp is an expert illusionist, I must say.

Liverpool are not just about the front three. They now have a solid centre-half pairing; there is the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson; the discipline of James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson in invaluable.

For Arsenal to get something out of this fixture, they need a perfect defensive performance. They are not in a position to ‘have a go’ at Liverpool. The injuries and suspensions have made things far more difficult. Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner might have to play as full backs! And they would need some supernatural help to keep Mohamed Salah and Saido Mane quiet.

Whoever plays out wide will have to spend more time in their own half to help their respective defensive partners than attacking the Liverpool defence. Shkodran Mustafi and Xhaka must stay on their feet and the whole collective united must be switched on from the first minute. If Arsenal start the way they did against Leicester or Everton, Liverpool will score three or four in the first 20 minutes. There is no harm in retreating when your team is not ready and I feel Arsenal should understand the situation and adapt accordingly.

It will be interesting to see the choices Unai Emery makes, especially under these challenging circumstances. He has made a remarkable start but this is undoubtedly his biggest challenge yet. The early defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea were inevitable but, since then, the team has improved and expectations have risen. It is fair to say that he has made the players more aware of their duties with and without the ball.

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But Liverpool are a step above any team in the Premier League bar City. This is a challenge like no other. Even a point would be a great result.

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