Liverpool game real test of Arsenal progress

As the first weekend of November begins, the standout Premier League fixture is Arsenal v Liverpool on Saturday evening.

This game is the first real test of Arsenal and their progress under new boss Unai Emery and of how far they might still have to go under the Spaniard.

After a stuttering start when they seemed to be struggling to get to grips with Emery’s tactics and style, Arsenal have since gone thirteen games unbeaten.

But after losing to both Manchester City and Chelsea in their first two Premier League games, they now face Liverpool, the other of the teams regarded as top Premier League title contenders.

So can Arsenal beat the Merseysiders and in doing so underline their possible top-four and even title credentials?

Since losing those first two Premier League games, Arsenal have steadily improved as they have adjusted to the new approach of Arsene Wenger’s successor. And the fact that they have managed this so quickly is actually an impressive fact.

The Gunners are scoring goals again and have begun to build real momentum in what was probably at first expected to be a season of transition.

The performances and goals of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front have been very important and both Mezut Ozil and Henrik Mykhitryan have also contributed more consistently.

They have though gained a reputation as a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team with their second half efforts often much better than the first. And of course they still need to show they can produce this form against the top sides.

Defensively Arsenal still don’t convince quite yet that they are good enough to match the best teams in the Premier League, although in recent games there has been signs of real improvement there too.

There are several reasons for this. Perhaps the most important is that Lucas Torreira has come into the side in midfield.

The Uruguayan didn’t play in the early games of the season but now since he has got his chance and he has been excellent for the Gunners screening the defence and knitting play together well.

Another reason has been the change in-goal with Bernd Leno replacing Petr Cech between the posts. Cech had found it difficult to adjust to Emery’s desire to play from the back, something Leno seems much more comfortable with.

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And one more decision that has also seems to have made a positive difference is Granit Xhaka’s emergency move to left-back.

Xhaka’s switch of position was a reaction to a short-term need, the injury to Nacho Monreal, but it looks like it could prove a good move although when Monreal returns that might create some unexpected selection issues.

He has had his problems playing in midfield where his temperament can be a problem.

Moving him into defence gives Torreira the opportunity to cement his place in the middle as that defensive linchpin. And perhaps it will prove to be an unexpected boon for Arsenal at the back giving them a more solid defence and giving Xhaka more freedom to his game.

So lots of positives for the Arsenal fans. But tomorrow’s game is still going to be a big test against a powerful, dynamic and free-scoring Liverpool team and a club Arsenal have a poor record against in recent times.