Arsenal vs Liverpool. One of the great fixtures on the English football calendar. There have been cup finals, title deciders and everything in between.
Sunday’s encounter should be no different as both sides hunt down the three points to keep the pressure on our common enemy. Liverpool have enjoyed a near-perfect start to life under Arne Slot, winning every game in all competitions bar a shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest in September. They truly are an elite side and any expectation that Liverpool may struggle to adapt to life without Klopp appear to have been quashed.
But back to those great historical Arsenal/Liverpool clashes of the past. In 1964 history was made as Arsenal and Liverpool played out the very first BBC MOTD broadcasted game in which we lost 3-2. In 1971 we met at Wembley in the FA cup final this time triumphing 2-1 in what proved to be one half of Arsenal’s first ever league and cup double. Charlie George’s long-range winner is still played on the big screens at the Emirates before every game over half a century later. if you’ve seen the goal, you can understand why as it truly is one of the all-time great FA Cup Final goals.
But perhaps the most famous meeting between the sides came 18 years later in 1989 as Arsenal travelled to Anfield for the final game of the season. We all know the story of course but let’s set the scene once more.
Due to the Hillsborough disaster, we didn’t travel to Anfield until 26th May, after everyone else’s season had finished so it truly was the final day. The nation was watching. Arsenal knew they had to win by two clear goals to take the title from Liverpool who were of course the dominant side of that era. They seldom lost at Anfield let alone by two goals. It’s fair to say no one really gave Arsenal a prayer. But George Graham simply told his side to keep it tight in the first half. If it gets to half time 0-0 that’s ok. We can nick a goal early in the second half and continue to keep it tight before throwing the kitchen sink at it late on. And that’s exactly what transpired. We got to half time at 0-0. It was cagey affair with both sides focused on not making a mistake. Alan Smith got a goal early in the second half. Then came the most incredible climax to a league season in English football history. Lee Dixon’s ball found Alan Smith. Michael Thomas was making a late run into the box from midfield. Could Smith find the right ball? He could just about, as Thomas got the first touch which flicked off the defender back to Thomas who now had a clear sight of goal. It seemed to take Thomas an age to get the ball out of his feet but when he eventually did, he flicked the ball over Grobbelar and into the back of the net cue bedlam in the away end and in pubs and living rooms across North London.
In terms of tomorrow’s game, we have been struck with a boatload of injury problems. Saka and Timber are major doubts, and Calafiori got a knock against Shakhtar in the week. Ødegaard obviously remains a long-term absentee. Saliba is suspended following his ludicrous red card in the defeat to Bournemouth last weekend. In terms of team selection, I’d expect White to start at right back with Kiwior accompanying Gabriel at the back with Zinckenko at left back. Having the Ukrainian up against Salah is far from ideal but the only alternative is playing Myles Lewis Skelly there which I just can’t see Arteta doing.
In midfield I think it will be Rice and Partey with Trossard in the ten. I wouldn’t mind seeing Merino for Partey but I expect Arteta to keep him on the bench as he looks to get up to speed with the pace and intensity of the English game.
In the absence of Saka, it’s a toss up between Jesus and Sterling on the right. I think Arteta will prefer a natural winger for a game of this magnitude, so I think we’ll see Sterling start again. Martinelli, who always plays well against Liverpool, will start on the left with Havertz down the middle.
In theory we are slight favourites but given a loss will put us seven points behind Liverpool and six behind City there is real pressure on us to win here. I don’t think the title can ever be over in October but given our next two games see us go to Newcastle and then Chelsea, anything but three points will rack up the pressure on Arteta and the players significantly.
If you’re going to the game bring your dinner but if you’re not you may want to hide behind the sofa for this one. I’m going for a morale boosting 2-1 win.
COYG!!!
Cheers 21CG
Cheers 21CG. I can’t predict the line-up, I really have no idea, but hoping for a nervous win. 2-1 will do me (and just everyone here I suspect!) just fine.
Nice preview 21 CG
I think he will pick Partey at RB , White and Gabriel in the middle with Kiwior left . I like MLS but it’s a tough big to pit him against Salah
I think Jorginho who was brilliant in this game last year may join Rice and Trossard in midfield and the front three may be Jesus , Havertz and Martinelli. I’d take 1-1 in the circs. We daren’t lose this
I’m pleased to hear you think that we’re slight favourites, 21CG. I’d bite your (or anyone else’s) hand off for a 2-1 result after 90 minutes tomorrow but that other well-worn football cliche that mentions a sick parrot keeps fighting its way upward from the depths.
As to the team, probably only Mikel knows right now and even he may need to wait for late assessments tomorrow.
I sincerely hope your prediction is spot on.
Thanks 21CG, I am hopeful on Timber but we’ll see.
If no Timber then I’d guess TP5 and Kiwior at full back
and a fairly defensive midfield set-up as we will fear
Liverpool wide players.
A tough game and a makeshift defense, I’ll go for
1-0 to The Arsenal
A fine rallying call, 21CG. I’ll take any win. It is not going to be an easy watch, I fear.
Many happy memories in that fine preview, 21CG and you can expect your hand to be bitten off by the assembled company for that 2-1 prediction. I think Ollie has taken the wise course on a starting line up prediction but not being of sound judgement after a long day driving to the Hawthorns and back to watch two midfields totally bereft of guile or vision, I will disagree with your selection and try to second guess MA8.
I think the forward line is relatively obvious: Martinelli – Havertz – Jesus; Sterling was a clear downgrade on Jesus on Tuesday and while he needs minutes, can come off the bench if we are desperate to perk up the attack hoping he can find his form of two years ago though I would expect to see Trossard earlier.
The midfield is somewhat less obvious: Merino – Rice – Partey; although this trio showed a clear lack of creativity in their last two outings, Partey had an excellent first half v Shakhtar, MA8 has huge faith in Merino who needs game time to get into our groove and Rice has hopefully had a restful few days. JG and Nwaneri can join the fray as the game state dictates.
The defence is of course not obvious at all. I suspect that MA8 will pick Kiwior to partner Gabriel in the centre, but may remember how well he played v Salah last season. I agree that he is unlikely to ask MLS (who had an impressive cameo v Shakhtar) to face Salah but he may ask him to face Gakpo to allow White to move inside to CB, so in the absence of Timber, I would select: Kiwior – Gabriel – White – MLS. If Timber passes his late fitness test then he would certainly replace MLS in the starting line up but you can juggle three players into the three positions around Gabriel at LCB. Your guess is as good as mine.
Goalkeeper? Let me think about that one.
Don’t know about North London but it’s a nice sunny morning in Arezzo, the sort of day where a man wakes up, slips on his football boots and gives the mugsmashers (are we still allowed to call them mugsmashers?) a damn good thrashing.
COYGS!!
Enjoy, Matt! Grey in Paris but the forecast in London is apparently sunny.
Thanks 21st,
1-0 will do fine.
If there’s a penalty, don’t let Trossard take it – I hate penalties down the middle, always giving the keeper an extra chance with a stray leg. In the corners, preferably low please.
UTA.
Cheers 21 CG, for this great and optimistic preview.
I’m lost with the team selection, as so many of obvious first choices are missing. I expect us fighting regardless and it would be great to see that Jesus who joined us years ago.
I might go behind sofa for watching this one.
COYG
Thanks 21CG – great memories.
In the circumstances any win, ugly, lucky or even classy would be fantastic. Even if one or two make it off their sick beds they won’t have been training to any extent so even a draw would be commendable.
I’m pretty much with Bath on team selection although I have a sneaking feeling things may not be as bleak as we are told. I wouldn’t really be that surprised to see Saka or Timber available – with Calafiori the least likely.
Oh, and that was before I just read Arseblog !
Whatever happens today, there is still a long way to go. Remember that at this point last season, the neighbours were top of the table.
Thanks for the preview 21CG. I will be in flight during the game (no drugs involved), so hope your 2-1 scenario will play out as described. COYG. Three point tonic please.
Many thanks 21GG for a fine preview. It’s impossible to predict the outcome with all th3 uncertainties of team availability but it’s all to play for whomever is in the starting Xl. We are quite capable of picking up all 3 points with the right mental approach of the players and I’m sure Mikel is installing a positive mindset to them. A win will be a good booster for the games which follow.
COYRRR
Raya,
Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber,
Rice, Merino, Trossard,
Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Nichols, Myles-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.
A stronger side than expected (?)
The question mark is because I think most people thought one or two would be back for a game this size but it’s good see Saka and Timber both start
Brilliant from Bukayo
That feels like a win let slip, especially as ‘Pool’s first goal was so soft, but given the injury situation, a draw is far from the end of the world.
Yeah, i know what you mean Ned. We played well first half. It was a real bastard losing Gabriel and Timber 2nd half and it would have been great to get the three points from a tough situation.
What Ned and Matt said. Great effort. No luck. Taylor raised the memory of his terrible performance many years ago in the season opener against Villa where if I remember correctly he awarded them one or two very soft penalties and sent Koscielny off. The details may be wrong but like today his performance was execrable.
Great performance (especially given the available personel and in-game injuries/fitness issues). Frustrating result.
And a side proper Goonerholic memory as I was talking to one of the original Santas from a pre-Christmas Stoke match (I’ve known him for a few years) me and Dave ‘went’ to that got cancelled as we were both on our way. We spent the whole afternoon in the Tollie drinking Guiness ans Whisky and Dave had to accompany me back to Holloway Road (that’s when I learnt that it was the closest station). I ended up puking in the middle of the Eurostar terminal before checking in. Not proud but this was one of the defining Goonerholic memories for me. Here’s to Dave.
Bath@22: Taylor is Taylor, and that isn’t saying much. For what should have been our third and winning goal, I don’t disagree that Taylor had blown his whistle before the ball entered the net, but the question is, why had he blown it in the first place? Another question is, why was van Dyke still on the pitch after swinging an off-the-ball kick at Havertz early on, yet the Dutchman didn’t even get a card. Just as Diaz didn’t get a card for kicking the ball away in the first half what must have been 20 yards to prevent us from taking a quick free kick. Yet Raya gets a yellow for delaying the restart yellow on a goal kick.
Also, the GHF Predictathon leaderboard for Match Week 9 has been posted. We have a new leader — and changes in the relegation zone. You know where to find it…
After some concerns about Merino’s performance on Tuesday I thought he acquitted himself extremely well in a hugely combative match .Taylor had a shocker – the final moment when he failed to give the best set piece team in the country the clearest corner you’ll ever see typified him 5oday
I thought Nwaneri and MLS looked very comfortable in a very difficult atmosphere and I thought Partey was superb
TTG@26: MLS looks to have the same temperament as the 18-year-old Saka. Very composed. Looks as if he belongs. The way he positioned himself to mark Salah showed that he had learned from being turned by Savinho in the City game. Another good sign.
I really would like to see Nwaneri get given enough time to influence games. He is another who looks as if he belongs.
I think Merino’s difficulties against Shaktar were that he and Rice were getting in each other’s way for much of the game. Much clearer separation against ‘Pool and it was the sort of game made for Merino’s duel-winning abilities.
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