By Sam McGuire
The match on Sunday may not be as vital because it may’ve been, however it’s nonetheless huge.
An Arsenal capitulation?
Consider it or not, Arsenal have taken simply six factors from their final 5 Premier League matches. This collapse is why Liverpool had been in a position to declare the title with 4 video games to spare. The Gunners simply stopped placing stress on the Reds.
Consequently, Mikel Arteta’s facet discovered themselves ninth within the kind desk heading in to the weekend. Their season actually has fizzled out. Their title problem led to April. Their pursuit of Champions League glory led to Paris on Wednesday night time with a 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal now discover themselves in an odd predicament. They begin the match on Sunday two factors Manchester Metropolis, after the previous champions drew with Southampton on Saturday. They may even be simply three factors away from Newcastle and Chelsea. They nonetheless should face the Magpies earlier than the season involves an finish too.
So, they went from being in a reasonably snug place to probably needing to win two of the following three to assert a Champions League place. Getting up for these video games can be an enormous ask following the frustration of dropping to PSG.
Attacking myths
All you hear from Arsenal followers and pundits is that the Gunners want a striker to rework them from runners-up into champions.
However how true is that narrative?
The info appears to dispute this concept. Arteta’s facet are fourth within the English top-flight for targets this time period with 64. Solely Liverpool (81), Newcastle (66) and Manchester Metropolis (67) have extra. Sure, they’re considerably behind the champions, however they’re not far off of their different rivals.
What’s fascinating is whenever you take a look at their underlying numbers. Arsenal are seventh when it comes to Anticipated Objectives with 56. It highlights their inventive points somewhat than their lack of ability to complete. If something, their overperformance in ending has saved their marketing campaign. Including a striker to the combo received’t assist in the event you’re merely unable to create. They’re sixth in large probabilities created with 101, a stat that additional backs up the concept they aren’t a lot of a inventive menace, regardless of the narratives suggesting in any other case.
Arteta’s system isn’t one which will get the most effective out of attackers. He’s not been let down by the board not signing a striker. He’s let his attackers down by shackling them.
What reception will Alexander-Arnold get?
That is the primary recreation for Trent Alexander-Arnold since he introduced he can be leaving Liverpool on a free switch.
The correct-back is predicted to affix Actual Madrid in July, although Los Blancos need him earlier for the Membership World Cup. The England worldwide launched a video, and a press release, earlier within the week explaining it was a troublesome resolution and he wished to get out of his consolation zone.
Whereas rivals and journalists have had their say on this and imagine he ought to be thanked for his time on the membership, Liverpool followers, not less than these on-line, really feel a bit in a different way. It’ll be fascinating to see what kind of reception he’ll get from an Anfield crowd that can be in celebratory mode following the title win over Spurs.
Actually, it’ll be fascinating to see if Arne Slot even begins the No. 66. The Dutchman may favour Conor Bradley there given he’ll possible be beginning for the Reds in that function subsequent season.
A file for Salah?
Mohamed Salah is only one aim involvement away from matching the file held by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer. The duo prepared the ground with 47, although they achieved this in a 42 recreation marketing campaign.
The Liverpool No. 11 is 2 targets off 30 for the Premier League marketing campaign and two assists away from 20. If he does the latter, he’ll be the primary participant since Thierry Henry to hit 20+ targets and handle 20+ assists in a single season. Information may tumble for the soon-to-be four-time Golden Boot winner.
And he has a reasonably good file in opposition to the Gunners, with a aim in every of his final three video games in opposition to them and 5 in his final seven.
Accidents
Liverpool are nonetheless with out Joe Gomez whereas Arsenal can be with out Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz for the journey to Anfield.
Slot made adjustments to his beginning XI for the sport in opposition to Chelsea final weekend however you need to assume the Dutch tactician will go robust in opposition to Arsenal to make a press release. He’ll additionally need his key gamers within the beginning XI for the guard of honour they so richly deserve.
Prediction
We’re going with a 3-1 win for Liverpool. The Reds will wish to make a degree and Arsenal could also be feeling the consequences of crashing out of the Champions League.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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