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Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Match Preview

By Jocelyn Taub

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal challenged by Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on August 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal challenged by Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on August 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal visit Liverpool this weekend with both teams fighting for a top four finish and a spot in next season’s Champions League tournament

With just three months remaining in the season, the battle to finish in the Champions League spots is very tight.

Arsenal will travel to Anfield this weekend with the chance to put some distance between themselves and Jurgen Klopp’s side. The Gunners currently sit fourth in the table one point above Liverpool. They also have a game in hand.

Leicester City did the other clubs battling for a top four finish a favor by defeating Liverpool 3-1 on Monday.

Liverpool stunned the Gunners at the Emirates on the opening day of the season 3-4. Revenge will certainly be on the mind of Arsene Wenger’s side.

Both clubs have had their problems of late.

Liverpool were flying high heading in to the new year. Since January, it’s been a downward spiral for Klopp and the Reds. They were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Southampton as well as the FA Cup by Championship side Wolves. In the league, they have gone 1-3-3 to fall further off the pace.

At the same time, Arsenal haven’t fared much better. The club was vilified following a mauling at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16. The Gunners were also hammered 5-0 at Southampton in the EFL Cup and then lost to Chelsea and Watford in the league.

Both clubs have potent attacks but the match could be decided by the more prepared defense

Due to scheduling Arsenal will be the more rested side having not played since February 20th.

Both teams have exciting pacey players that are capable of scoring.

Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho are a handful and Arsenal will need to be at their best to contain them.

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Alexis Sanchez always gives it his all but the Gunners are going to need maximum effort from Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott.

The difference could come down to which defense is more prepared.

Laurent Koscielny should be back after suffering an injury in Munich and Nacho Monreal is set to return to left back in place of Kieran Gibbs.

Liverpool’s defense has been a major concern for much of the season. At Leicester the Reds played with midfielders Lucas Leiva and James Milner on defense. Klopp has tried a number of different combinations but didn’t address the problem with any new recruits in the January transfer window.

Both teams will be going for the win. A draw is highly likely with each team playing not to lose. A draw, however, would be more beneficial for Arsenal as they’ll still maintain their lead with a game in hand.

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