SAT 2 NOV 2013 - PREMIER LEAGUE Kickoff at 17:30pm please log in to view this image Arsenal v Liverpool, our biggest test this season. Both teams on incredible form, how will we set out? Arsenal play with Giroud upfront, who keeps hold of the ball and brings in the midfield to attack, with Skrtel, Kolo and Sakho as our defence, he will get no time and will struggle to play. The midfield of Gerrard, Henderson and Lucas need to work the hardest they have this season and stop Ramsey and Ozil, not much worry in Wilshire and Carzola and neither are going to create on their own. With their lack of width in their teams, Cissoko and Johnson need to perform, that's where the game will be won. Sturridge and Suarez could potentially destroy Arsenals center backs with one jumping into tackles whenever he fancies and the other very tall and slow, but a very good player. We just need to go out on the intent to win, and if we play like we have, we will.
I know Lucas & Gerrard usually play well in big games but I feel with Ramsey, Ozil & Cazorla all attacking centrally we might struggle to cope with them. This is a game where we should think about changing to a back four IMO and play 4-3-3 with Henderson, Gerrard & Lucas in the middle and Moses (Coutinho if fit to start), Sturridge & Suarez ahead of them. No point having a back 3 to mark one striker and if we do play with a back 3 we're just going to be overloaded in midfield and leave ourselves exposed to having Cazorla, Ramsey & Ozil all running at the back 3. On another note I really hope Enrique's back for this game because I'm not sure of Cissokho in a game of this size just yet.
The positive for is that Tottenham & Everton are playing each other, Chelsea are away at Newcastle and Man Utd are away at Fulham. Chelsea and Man Utd should win but at least they aren't guaranteed 3 points and one of Spurs/Everton will drop points.
Not many of us are that confident of finishing top four this season, but I'll tell you what.. Beat Arsenal and we're guaranteed to be joint top after 10 games, some belief will start to seep in for sure.
Of course man, I don't think many of us are expecting a win there but we're capable.. Looking forward to it!
We are capable. If one of us had claimed we would be in our current position after nine games before the start of the season we would have been shot down in flames.Were going well,we can beat Arsenal.
Both teams capable of scoring heavily and neither defense is solid by any means. I'd bet on a 1-1 draw.
Definitely looking forward to it. I always hope for a tough draw in cups etc (especially CL group draw) as the big games are what footy is about. I do have reservations about this match though. I think Arsenal's set of three (in their 4231 system) will tear our 352 formation apart. Hopefully SAS & Ford can cause havoc at the other end.
I think Flamini being out will give us a big boost, they've not had him against Villa, Dortmund and the second half against Palace and they've looked a bit suspect defensively in all three. Coutinho will have plenty of space to operate so it's likely we'll get a goal.. Only problem is we'll need more than one but so be it, Suarez and Sturridge will give them something to worry about. If Arsenal come out and go gungho and underestimate our midfield they might well be punished.
