Arsenal are well and truly back in the hunt for European football. The Gunners are one of the in-form sides in the Premier League, but face a big test in the form of Liverpool who are competing for the title.
Liverpool have only gotten better as the season has progressed. A result in their favour at the Emirates on Wednesday will be crucial for the Reds
For Arsenal, a win against Liverpool will ensure that the Gunners go four points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United, with two games in hand. Moreover, three points will also allow them to keep the pressure on Chelsea.
Liverpool have their faith in their own hands. Jurgen Klopp’s side are chasing a second title in three seasons, and are four points adrift from Manchester City at the top of the table having played a game fewer.
Let us have a look at the three battles that could decide the outcome of this tie.
Arsenal vs Liverpool – 3 Key Battles
#3 Cedric Sores vs Luis Diaz
With Arsenal’s summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu expected to be on the sidelines due to a recurring injury, Cedric Soares will keep his place at Right back following a comfortable 2-0 win against Leicester at the Emirates this Sunday.
🏟 Emirates Stadium waits
🔦 Another big game under the lights
🔜 #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/M0fJUVYPjn
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 15, 2022
The 30-year-old will have a difficult match-up against the Reds’ winter signing, Luis Diaz. That said, he is the best bet for Arteta to stop the Colombian from wreaking havoc. He has already scored two goals from five Premier League outings.
Cedric has performed well whenever called upon but defensively he is still vulnerable. He’ll be going up against Liverpool winter signing Luis Diaz who has fitted into the side like a glove and has been electric every time he’s been on the pitch.
Expect Liverpool to dominate the left side with him and Andy Robertson constantly running up and down the wings. Cedric might have to be extra cautious and remain in his own half for the majority of the game.
#2 Ben White vs Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota likes facing Arsenal. The Portugal international has scored six goals against the Gunners. The last time these two sides met, Jota’s brace at the Emirates sent Liverpool to the EFL Cup final in January. Jota had Ben White on his knees last time at the Emirates as he ran circles around him with his intelligent movement and runs.
A rampant display from the Reds when we faced Arsenal back in November 👏💫 pic.twitter.com/IJJ00QUk4x
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 16, 2022
If Salah misses the fixture, Jota will most likely be leading the line. He hasn’t had a goal in his last 5 outings but will fancy his chances against a team who like to press and leave spaces behind to exploit.
Ben White on the other hand is entering this fixture with a much-deserved clean sheet against Leicester at home where he was rock solid at the back with Gabriel. Jota vs White might be the decisive battle as one slip-up from White could mean curtains for Arsenal.
#1 Martin Odegaard vs Fabinho
Martin Ødegaard has been so far been the player of the season for the home side. Odegaard was brought in at Real Madrid to be the successor of Luka Modric. But, with Modric still going strong at 36, the Norwegian was deemed as a ‘flop’ at Los Blancos. However, this Season under Arteta he has been a revelation playing in a hybrid 8 / 10 role where he can control the game with amazing ball retention or start attacks with sublime through-balls depending on the game situation.
One of his shining qualities this season though must be his Leadership and work rate. He is at this very young age the captain of his national team and is very vocal on the pitch. He is also the initiator of the pressing in the team along with Lacazette.
On Wednesday night though he will be up against one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League in Fabinho. Fabinho is quite under-appreciated for his role at Liverpool when he has been their most consistent performer barring Salah.
He is essential for breaking up play in the midfield and not giving the opposition enough time to make a pass. He also covers up for the marauding fullbacks of Liverpool so that no spaces are left uncovered. It will be Fabinho’s job to mark Ødegaard and prevent him from dictating the terms at the Emirates.
He has averaged 1.6 interceptions per game this season and makes 1.9 tackles per game. Odegaard on the other hand has five goals and four assists to his name. He also has an average pass success rate of 84.4%. We truly do have a fascinating player battle to watch out for.
