Arsenal vs Liverpool

Liverpool V Arsenal

Sunday, 15th August – 16:00 GMT
LIVE on Sky Sports 1
Soccer-Betting Game of the Week

Liverpool

It’s been a turbulent couple of months on Merseyside for Liverpool, with Rafael Benitez’s tenure as manager coming to an abrupt following on from one of the worst campaigns in the clubs history. It didn’t take Martin Broughton, Liverpool chairman, and his trusty assistant Kenny Dalglish long to find a suitable replacement, with Roy Hodgson, the manager which took Fulham all the way to the final of the Europa League last season, as Benitez’s successor and the man left with restructuring a club which appeared on his knees at the end of last season And the former Fulham man has already made a pretty significant impact at the club by getting Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to join his cause and commit their future to the club for at least another season. With a competitive ball yet to be kicked, at least not domestically, Hodgson has made the perfect start as Reds manager, but can he sustain the levels of optimism now at the club by getting Liverpool off to the best possible start on Sunday against an opponent which are likely to be one of the closest competitors this season.

So Roy Hodgson’s first game in charge of Liverpool, domestically, is against a team which beat the Reds 2-1 at Anfield last season in the form of Arsenal. In fact, Liverpool haven’t beaten the Gunners at Anfield since 2007, when a Peter Crouch hat-trick saw Liverpool record an emphatic 4-1 win over Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. That seems a long time ago though, but even more concerning is that Hodgson himself hasn’t had much luck in run-ins with Arsenal, recording just one win over Arsenal in four league encounters. There’s no time like the present to better such a disappointing record over one of England’s best teams, while it could even be the catalyst the Reds need ahead of another extremely difficult and daunting fixture the following weekend against Man City.

There aren’t too many more trickier starts to a season then facing Arsenal and Man City in your first two league fixtures, but that’s the manner of the Premiership beats right now. There’s always a competitive game waiting around the corner and it’s down to Liverpool’s big guns to raise their game and show everyone that Liverpool will quickly return to their best form. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t although the familiar old question over whether Liverpool can really cut it whenever their big players aren’t available will again surface on Sunday, as talismanic forward Fernando Torres is a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League opener. David N’gog, who has frustrated fans during his two seasons at the club, is likely to lead the line and fans will be praying he doesn’t cut a forlorn figure up front. New signing Joe Cole will be hoping to wow his new supporters, supporters he claims certainly excite him, and it will be fascinating to see how Cole reacts to an atmospheric and packed out Anfield crowd as the fans are desperate for the England international to produce the dazzling displays he did when at Chelsea and West Ham.

Although Liverpool haven’t spent a great deal over the summer, the capture of Joe Cole in particular looks a stunning piece of business and is likely to be one of the transfers of the season should Cole hit the heights like he did when at Chelsea. Another exciting prospect is seeing Serbian international Milan Jovanovic in action, who at 29 years-old still has blistering pace and his fearless attitude when it comes to striding forward with the ball is surely to be appreciated by the Kop, who felt last season that Liverpool were too slow and methodical in their build-up play last season. But despite the excitement of seeing some of their new summer signings in action, Liverpool will do remarkably well to record a win over a team many are quietly fancying for the championship this season. Will it be too much too soon for Roy Hodgson’s Reds?

Arsenal

Despite the Gunners persistent flirting with the Premier League championship last season, Arsene Wenger’s side fell by the wayside and eventually finished the season eleven points behind winners Chelsea. Some lengthy spells on the sidelines from the likes of William Gallas and Robin Van Persie, as well as niggling injuries to Nicklas Bendnter and Arshavin didn’t help their cause, but in the end Arsenal simply weren’t good enough especially in the crunch games against their rivals for the title, losing home and away to both Chelsea & Manchester United. But Arsene Wenger has done some dumping over the summer, as well some hiring, and with the rubbish now thrown out and their replacements already in, are Arsenal finally primed and ready to be Premier League champions for a fourth time?

Despite what many believe, Arsene Wenger has been busy during pre-season and has stunningly yielded the axe on some notable players. William Gallas, the club captain at one time or another, was deemed surplus to requirements by Wenger as was Mikael Silvestre, Philippe Senderos, Eduardo and Sol Campbell, while Fran Merida and Kerrea Gilbert were both allowed to leave the club to seek out first team football elsewhere. That’s some notable casualties, specifically in defence, and yet Arsene Wenger has only signed two players over the summer, with just one of those being a defender. Laurent Koscielny will be looking to become a household name after he joined the Gunners from French Ligue 1 outfit Lorient, while Marouane Chamakh completed his expected move to the Emirates from another Ligue 1 outfit, Bordeaux.

We wait with bated breath as to who Arsene Wenger will sign next, as with just three centre-backs in his squad he is leaving himself and the team open top exposure should someone suffer an injury blow early into the season. But the acquisition of Moroccan born Chamakh could prove one of the tidiest pieces of business of the summer should be hit it off with Robin Van Persie up front. The Ronaldo look-a-like is athletic, agile and a great deal better and more accomplished on the ball than Eduardo ever was and even Nicklas Bendnter. Chamakh is also a mean character in the air and with Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Arshavin and Rosicky all likely to keep the Moroccan on his toes with opportunities, could he be in the running for the Golden Boot this season? That could be a little too much considering the likelihood of him needing a season or two to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, but the whole Chamakh & Van Persie relationship is one which could prove effective and will definitely excite all Arsenal fans.

The Gunners began last season with back-to-back wins, even running riot on Merseyside with a 6-1 win at Goodison Park over Everton. We think it’s safe to say that Arsenal will find Merseyside’s other club, one more illustrious in many respects, a far tougher nut to crack and despite the Arsenal midfield being jam-packed with creativity and craft, which has now been complimented by Chamakh’s arrival, asking them to get a result at Anfield could prove a stiff ask when reports inside Arsenal claim their players look fatigued and exhausted in pre-season, and may well need a few competitive games before they really hit their stride. Cesc Fabregas in particular has looked rusty, as did Robin Van Persie, while Arshavin is a doubt for the game with a similar problem.

Match Verdict: Liverpool to WIN – 2.50 Bet365

After a season of sheer disappointment and grief, Liverpool will look to make an immediate return to the limelight under new manager Roy Hodgson by getting one over on side which beat them home and away last season. I’ve heard several reports about Arsenal being lacklustre and lethargic in pre-season, with many of their key players worn down and simply not ready for the new campaign. I’m sure those reports will be conflicting and by the time match day comes around the Arsenal players will be closing in on their peak fitness. But they may well need a Premier League game or two before they really hit their stride and instead preference if for a Liverpool side desperate to impress and prove pundits wrong this season, seeing as Liverpool are a double-figure price with bookmakers to clinch the 2010/2011 Premiership crown.

Match Odds:

Liverpool – 2.50 Bet365
Draw – 3.00 Coral
Arsenal – 3.30 totesport

Soccer-Betting Value Bet: Joe Cole Anytime Scorer – 4.50 PaddyPower

Arsenal V Liverpool

Wednesday, 10^th February – 19:45 GMT (Sky Sports 2)

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: WWDLL

Arsenal, after a torrid couple of outings, will be gunning for an important victory over another rival when they entertain Liverpool at The Emirates. The Gunners’ title bid has been derailed after a visit from Man Utd and a trip to Stamford Bridge, but now Liverpool come to town in a game Arsenal simply have to win, not only to keep their slim title dreams alive but also to avoid being drawn into this fight for fourth place.

Arsene Wenger’s side were once so prominent in the league table but are now contemplating life in the remainder of the season in a top four scrap as defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday night would drag Arsenal right back into this intriguing contest. However, Arsenal have yet to lose a Premiership fixture to Liverpool at The Emirates, while you’ll have to stretch your memory banks back to February, 2000 for Liverpool’s last victory on Arsenal soil. Perhaps it will be fate that sees Arsenal’s run of eight league games at home unbeaten against their Merseyside opponents vanish, nearly a decade to the day after Liverpool last won on Arsenal soil. 

Arsenal were largely disappointing again on Sunday in yet another huge clash the Gunners didn’t come out on top in. Moreover, Arsenal are now on the verge of completing an unwanted hat-trick of home defeats against the so called ‘Big Four’. However, Liverpool haven’t been up to scratch all season and you would have to make Arsenal firm favourites despite their poor showing at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. That defeat did, however, come quickly off the back of a home defeat to Manchester United the weekend before, so to lose two crunch games in such a short space of time must be like taking a sledgehammer to the confidence and morale of the Arsenal camp. 

The positives about Arsenal’s performance at the weekend was their ability to retain possession for long periods of the game. However, this was largely ineffective because they did next to nothing with it, with clear cut chances a rarity for The Gunners in the clash at The Bridge, with Arsenal surprisingly lacking that cutting edge in the final third. The concern, though, was their poor defence… once again! When Arsenal are having to chase back and defend they look a mess. Two weekends in a row now Arsenal have been caught napping at the back from counter-attacks and have been severely punished for it. An Arsenal defence, which had kept four clean sheets in it’s last seven league games, has now shipped five in it’s last two and you would have to have some level of doubts over the confidence and form of that Arsenal back four heading into another high-pressured game.

Liverpool

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: DWDWW

Rafael Benitez will have been delighted with his teams efforts in what was a full-blooded encounter at the battle of Anfield with local rivals Everton. To come off the pitch with no lasting injuries was a minor miracle in itself but to leave their beloved ground with all three points, despite being reduced to 10 men during the first half, was an outstanding result and one that extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games. Now, though, Liverpool have an even bigger task on their hands as they aim to banish their poor record at Arsenal when they take on The Gunners at The Emirates.

It was carnage at Anfield as tackles were flying in, elbows were being flung and cards were being dished out like it was Christmas. One player who will now miss this trip to Arsenal is Kyriakos, whom has been one of Liverpool’s star players in this seven match unbeaten run of theirs. A rash lunge from the Greek centre-back meant he received an instant red and he will now miss Liverpool’s next three encounters. The lanky Greek will be sorely missed as he’s been somewhat of a rock in defence for the Reds as they kept their fourth successive league clean sheet on Saturday. Then again, his main strength is his aerial ability and Arsenal won’t pose a threat from the air, and so, someone more agile is required anyway – Someone like Daniel Agger, for instance.

It’s bewildering to think that Liverpool are now the inform team of the two considering the Merseyside club have endured a drastic season to date. However, they are a team that haven’t lost in seven outings in the Premiership and are the side that have clawed their way back into Champions League contention, with five wins from their last seven. Moreover, Rafa’s men will be brimming with confidence after they finally regained fourth spot on Saturday after a perfect weekend of results for them.

However, we will be the party pooper by saying that Liverpool do possess a very untidy away record of 4-3-5, with the reds without an away win in their last two outings; drawing at both Stoke City & Wolves, both low scoring affairs. Their last away win came at Villa Park when they beat Aston Villa 1-0 in a game they never deserved to win. Moreover, their performances away from home on the whole have been abysmal and it will take some effort, regardless of Arsenal’s recent disappointments, to turn Arsenal over on their own patch. This is especially true when you hear that Liverpool haven’t managed to score more than two goals in an away Premiership fixture since the 29^th November, when Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park, six away games ago.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Arsenal have recently gone off the boil while Liverpool haven’t exactly excelled in this seen match unbeaten run of theirs. Also, these two sides have played out a 1-1 draw in their last two encounters at The Emirates. Three if you include their 1-1 draw in the Champions League a couple of seasons ago. At The Emirates, you would fancy Arsenal to bounce back from any defeat but they are up against a rejuvenated Liverpool side who could prove to be the thorn in their side. However, The Gunners have been very impressive at home throughout the season, with only a few blips against the very best tarnishing what would have been a very strong home record. Liverpool have the form and plenty of momentum but I reckon both sides will have to settle for a point come the end, of which neither side would be too disgruntled with.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 2.10 Bet365

Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Liverpool – 3.90 Expekt

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Under 2.5 Goals – 1.80 Bet365

This could turn out to be a foolish selection but neither have been impressing in front of goal of late, with Arsenal without a recognised forward, although Nicklas Bendnter could make his long-awaited return from injury for this clash, while Liverpool have been winning games by the odd goal and with the help of some tidy defending. Arsenal have now failed to score in their last three Premiership fixtures, while Liverpool haven’t conceded a goal in the league in over 440 minutes of league action. A run which would have been longer were it not for a late Huth equaliser against Stoke. That’s the only goal Pepe Reina has conceded in his last seven league appearances and so he’ll be full of confidence in the Liverpool goal.

Arsenal are struggling for fire-power and creativity up front while Liverpool have been repelling all invaders of late. You could say a goal rush is well overdue but the form and displays from both sides would indicate another low scoring encounter could be on the cards, with a fourth 1-1 draw in succession at The Emirates between the two not a bad shout.

Advisable Selections:

1-1 Correct Score – 6/1 SkyBet

Nicklas Bendnter Anytime Scorer – 9/4 Coral

Dirk Kuyt Anytime Scorer – 13/5 Coral