3 Key Battles that Could Decide Arsenal vs Liverpool

3 key battles that could decide Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (L) vies with Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 16, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: William Saliba of Arsenal avoids a challenge from Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur as Ben white looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2022, in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Battle #3: William Saliba & Ben White vs Roberto Firmino & Luis Diaz

Attention will inevitably be drawn to both penalty boxes on Sunday afternoon as two of the Premier League’s best attacking and defensive teams prepare to lock horns, and it seems the impressive Saliba/White partnership is about to face its toughest test yet.

As part of their efforts to recover possession high up the pitch, Klopp often instructs his wingers to invert and press the ball-side centre-back. Meanwhile, similar pressure is applied to the nearest full-back and the coordinated endeavours of the frontline make it extremely challenging for the opposition to successfully progress into the midfield.

The dual threat of Firmino and Diaz up front gives Liverpool every chance of being rewarded in this regard and could easily result in the type of Mersey goal glut we are only too familiar with.

However, Saliba and White are accomplished technicians who read the game very well and remain composed in stressful situations. Their combined attributes give us the best possible chance of nullifying the visitors’ game plan as we will be able to bypass the press and snuff out danger when it manifests, while a shared comfort in advanced areas should allow us to create numerical advantages in midfield and assert control.

They will have their work cut out for them, but they are certainly up for the task.

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