5 things which will decide the outcome of Liverpool vs Arsenal

1. SOLID DEFENSE

Well when it comes to Arsenal, they have let a lot of goals in. Same is the case with Liverpool. At the heart of the Arsenal defense, Mertesacker and Vermaelen will have their work cut out. They have to deal with Sterling’s pace, Suarez’s nutmeg and Sturridge. Mertesacker is a big defender but he is a bit slow to react and can become an easy target for the Liverpool attack. Similarly for Liverpool, Skrtel and Agger will also have to deal with Theo ‘s speed, Podolski’s dribbling and Cazorla. So the team that has a solid and better defense will have a better chance as Arsenal love to attack and Liverpool don’t like to be attacked.

2. KEEPERS

Liverpool’s last game was lost due to many reasons including the keeping. So in this game, pressure is on Reina who will be back after an injury and he has to perform after Brad Jones‘ fail show. So, even though Szczesny will also have to be at his best, he won’t be under that much pressure. Reina ‘s form also hasn’t been that good and likes of Giroud and Cazorla could trouble him.

3. THE WINGS

One of the most important positions today and it has to be Walcott vs Sterling first. Both have pace and both are creating chances but the one difference is that Walcott is scoring goals too. Sterling has not been getting that much game time since the last couple of games but still he has to be at his best to match Walcott who is in his prime.

Then it has to be Cazorla vs Suarez or Borini. Suarez has to play like he did against Norwich because it is difficult to find space in the Arsenal defense as they have a variety of good midfielders.

4. GERRARD VS WILSHERE

The biggest battle on the field. The present and future of English midfield. On current basis, Gerrard has been playing better and he always takes his game to the next level when playing against big teams. Wilshere on the other hand is inexperienced but he also has been playing well. With the support of Diaby, Wilshere just might play a little bit forward like Gerrard. Wilshere is under less pressure than Gerrard as he isn’t the captain. So it going to be interesting to find out whether Wilshere can better his idol.

5. RODGERS VS WENGER

Both managers would have liked their team to play a better brand of football but Wenger is under a lot more pressure as reports suggest that some fans want him to leave, but Rodgers is not in that kind of pressure. After a shocking loss to Oldham, he will be having a different kind of pressure. Arsene Wenger won’t find it difficult to select his starting 11 but Rodgers has a dilemma whether he should risk an almost fit Enrique or not.

Wenger most probably will start with Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker and Sagna. Rodgers may or may not play Borini as Suso poses a righteous challenge for that spot. So both managers have their set of problems. Experience is on Wenger’s side but Rodgers’ hunger may overpower Arsene’s experience.