Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Liverpool: 5 key players to watch – Granit Xhaka’s test

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal, Granit Xhaka (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Arsenal, Granit Xhaka (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield on July 11, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield on July 11, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

2. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Is there a better full-back in world football? Perhaps defensively. But on the ball, there is no ‘defender’ who is as creative, progressive, and quite simply brilliant as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is entirely redefining the expectations of an offensive-minded full-back.

Looking like what David Beckham might look like had he played right-back, Alexander-Arnold has followed up his 12-assist season with another 12-assist campaign this year. Only Kevin de Bruyne has more assists this season. Only three other defenders have more than five assists, and one of those is his teammate, Andy Robertson. His 9.3 expected assists are equal with Riyad Mahrez.

That is how brilliant the young right-back is, and while he plays a traditionally overlooked position, at least in an offensive sense, for the Liverpool system that uses the full-backs, not the central midfield, to progress play and create chances, he is absolutely central to their play. Preventing Alexander-Arnold from dictating the game will be vital for Arsenal.