Arsenal vs Liverpool: 4 crucial elements needed to win

Arsenal host Liverpool on Wednesday and…well, not many give them much chance of causing an upset. It’s nothing personal, as unless you play in sky blue and come from the east of Manchester, the odds are stacked against you.

Having secured a fifth straight Premier League win for just the second time in Mikel Arteta’s tenure with their 2-0 victory over Leicester, Arsenal are one of the in-form teams in the country. If only they weren’t playing the only side in the division on a better run, eh?

In fact, you have to go back to 2009 for the last time two teams in the English top-flight went into a fixture both boasting 5+ win sequences. Even when factoring in the points difference, it’s going to be quite the occasion.

From the hosts’ perspective it’s all about consolidating their place in the top four. With three games in hand over the three sides below them, and one game in hand over Tottenham who they boast a six point advantage over, a loss wouldn’t be too detrimental to their goals.

Arsenal vs Liverpool: 4 crucial elements needed to win Wednesday’s huge Premier League clash between Klopp & Arteta’s sides

As for Liverpool, Manchester City’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace has granted them even greater incentive to leave the Emirates Stadium with all the spoils as they can move to within a point of top spot. That invitation isn’t ideal. Cheers, Pep.

Sliding into the mindset of this being a ‘free hit’ will not be accepted by Arteta. While their fine form has relieved some of the pressure in the sense that a loss won’t completely derail their top four ambitions, a win would have significantly boost hopes of a return to the Champions League as well as having a positive knock on effect on the team’s belief, as well as a negative impact on their rivals.

However, with new fixture dates announced that will see Arsenal play five times in April – including three games in seven days where there will be only 64 hours separating an away tie at Chelsea and the home visit of Manchester United – maybe the concept of a ‘free hit’ fizzles away.

The bottom line is, however, that in order to beat Liverpool it will require a near perfect performance. There can be no passengers. To break a record under Arteta and claim six straight league wins for the first time, Arsenal will need to nail four crucial elements.

1. Score First

Much of what needs to be done will seem relatively obvious. Sadly, that doesn’t translate to it being straightforward, since nothing is against this opposition.

The importance of scoring first in this game can’t be stressed enough. Looking at it purely from the perspective of the atmosphere, Arsenal’s immense home support this season can be cranked up beyond its maximum decibel level with the opening goal, handing the Gunners he confidence and initiative to build on that lead.

If Liverpool do score first it tends to mean it is curtains for the opposition.

In the 25 matches this season where they’ve taken the lead they have gone on to win 20 of them. The five occasions where they didn’t claim all three points ended in draws. Once they get their noses in front they’re one of the most formidable sides in Europe; they grab hold and don’t let go.

But how about when they’re trailing? What will provide some comfort to supporters if Arsenal do take the lead is that Liverpool have only won on two of the seven occasions where they’ve been fallen behind this season.

In total, those seven matches have seen them claim nine points. Food for thought? Well, it doesn’t change much in the approach, it just reinforced the importance of going in front.

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