Arsenal vs Liverpool: 4 crucial elements needed to win

3. Support Thomas Partey

Key to Arsenal’s recent success is their well-documented change of system. Releasing Granit Xhala further up the field where he can aid with retaining possession in more threatening areas has increased the responsibility on Thomas Partey to connect all the dots.

Sometimes lining up in a 2-3-2-3 shape in build up where the Ghanaian has his full-backs laterally and the two No. 8’s in front on the angle, what Arsenal have done is always have passing options for the midfielder to progress the ball.

Of course, it isn’t as simple as merely giving him options as that unfairly undervalues what he brings on and off the ball, but this is exactly what Liverpool will seek to nullify on Wednesday. They know that suffocating Partey, cutting off his lanes of supply, or both, will be their key to success.

He is far more vulnerable now as the lone No. 6 and one only need look back at the reverse meeting at Anfield to see how Sambi Lokonga was targeted in the same position in front of the back four.

Partey is playing his finest football to date in an Arsenal shirt and his ability to chop into space and dummy past him man is divine. Yet with a storm of Red bodies closing in there has to be the support for him at all times – whether that be someone else coming short to give the central defenders an option in build-up or with efficient movement in front when he’s on the ball – or else Arsenal will suffer.

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