Arsenal away shirt 2025/26 (Image credit: Future)
Morning all.
Starting to get nervous yet, or kind of excited? The current League Champions Liverpool are our next challenge. Our opening game was a bit of an odd one as Mikel Arteta’s team made Man Utd look like league contenders. Last weekends performance was better but it still took a bit of time for Arsenal to get going. Against Liverpool, being switched on from the off is crucial because we can’t give that lucky lot an inch.
By all accounts, Liverpool’s defending has been a bit up and down in the opening three games which has led to them conceding goals. Against Palace, Bournemouth and Newcastle, they conceded two goals in each game which is unlike the Liverpool of last season. Last game against Newcastle, they were 2-0 up, playing against ten men only to concede twice. Ok, they won in the end but not until the 100th minute of the match and pretty much the final kick of the game. 32 fouls were committed in that game, 17 by Newcastle, 15 by Liverpool.
Talking after the game, Slot said:
I think I heard you correctly. You were saying football match. I’m not sure if I saw a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throws – it didn’t have a lot to do with tactics as I said before the game. But I liked a lot how we stood strong. Very difficult first half hour, 45 minutes. But, we didn’t collapse at all. We stood strong and because of that we went 1-0 up.
My point, their defence is there to be got at and Arsenal, even without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, have the players to get at them. Unsettle them, force them to make errors and to commit fouls in dangerous areas of the pitch.
As far as injuries go, Frimpong is ruled out but Mac Allister and Bradley are likely to return for the home team.
Arsenal – Jesus, Havertz and Saka are ruled out but White, Norgaard and Odegaard could be in the squad. Much depends on whether or not they trained yesterday.
Mikel Arteta was asked if Martinelli could leave before deadline day?
No, I think Gabi has been a super important player for us and he’s going to remain very, very, very important. The fact that we have options with different qualities, that’s going to fulfil what we want, because every opponent is going to require different things and then the state, the moment, the way that those players are impacting the game – that competition is needed. We have him in many other areas on the pitch and he’s needed, especially in the front line, to start the game and to finish the game. So, I’m very happy with what we have.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Martinelli on the left, Madueke on the right and Gyokeres in the middle. Nor would I be surprised to see Eze thrown in for his debut, especially if Odegaard hasn’t fully recovered. Rice and Zubimendi are certain to start, as are Raya, Gabriel and Saliba. Timber and Calafiori at full-back.
Honestly, I think we can get a win at Anfield today as long as the game remains 11 v 11 from start to finish. Not 11 v 12, or 13 including VAR. Sian Massey-Ellis is operating VAR today which I think is a first for Arsenal. Chris Kavanagh is the referee. The guy who sent off Declan Rice against Brighton last season.
But, as I always say, if the players don’t give the officials a decision to make, they cannot make it so Arsenal need to be smart. Ekitike is lightening quick so he’s the one to stop, along with Salah of course who can hurt the best of teams but if we can win the midfield battle and keep the ball away from them, then our chance of winning will be greater. As said at the start, Liverpool are conceding goals so they can be beaten.
A focussed and disciplined performance from Mikel Arteta’s men can bring three points back to north London.
Catch up in the comments.