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Liverpool vs Arsenal: Preview, Team News and Predicted Line-up

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Arsenal vs LiverpoolArsenal will look to overcome their big game blues when they travel to Anfield on Saturday to face Liverpool, as they look to close in ona top four place.

The Gunners were expected to challenge for League title this season, but a terrible start means that the championship dreams already look to be over. The North London club currently sit in seventh place in the  League table, but a win tomorrow will see us move back up to sixth and just two points off fourth-placed West Ham.

Despite the injuries and poor start to the season, we have now found  a bit of form in the past few weeks after two consecutive victories against Galatasaray and Newcastle United.

After a disappointing start to the season, Liverpool find themselves in 11th place which is a far cry from their impressive performances from last season. It would be interesting to see how Sanchez performs after completing a £32 million move from Barcelona, despite strenuous attempts by Liverpool to fill the void left by Suarez.

TEAM NEWS

Koscielny is still recovering from a calf injury, but Calum Chambers has returned from suspension and is likely to partner Mertesacker at the back. Debuchy will take his position on the right after impressing at center back against Newcastle while Gibbs will continue on the left.

Arteta is still out, so Flamini will continue to cover for the defence. Chamberlain aggravated a groin injury against Newcastle, but is expected to start the game after passing a late fitness test.

Walcott has finally returned from a long injury layoff and is expected to take part in the game in some capacity. Nacho Monreal has also returned from injury and will start from the bench. Ramsey is out for the rest of the year so Cazorla will continue to shoulder the responsibility of creating the chances for our attacking trio of Alexis, Welbeck and Giroud.

Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli will miss the fixture as he serves a one-match ban for posting a controversial image on his Instagram account. The Anfield are awaiting a late assessment on defender Dejan Lovren’s groin injury after being forced off during Wednesday’s Capital One Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

http://www.footyformation.com/team/view/slug/j2x

Can Arsenal continue their good form against Liverpool?

Arsenal striker set to leave on loan in January

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly decided to send young striker Yaya Sanogo on loan in January transfer window to help him get some more first-team action.

The Frenchman netted his first competitive goal for the Gunners in their 2-0 home win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, but has struggled to break into the first-team regularly this season, playing just three times in the Premier League.

BBC journalist David Ornstein tweeted that the 21 year old was likely to be on his way out, with the Gunners keen to give the youngster some much needed top flight experience and confidence after a poor start to his career at the Emirates.

The youngster’s chances of playing regularly are almost negligent with the return of Theo Walcott from a lengthy injury layoff. We now have Welbeck, Sanchez, Giroud, Podolski and Walcott all vying for a first team place and I don’t think we would need Sanogo for the remainder of the season.

The decision seems the right one considering that he could use this remaining part of the season to get some game time at the top level. He has been good so far this season and has impressed many with his control and physical presence in the attack, but the only thing that was lacking is his finishing. The immaturity is showing in his shots which will improve as he plays more and more, which he is likely to get if h leaves on loan.

Sanogo will interest some Premier League clubs who need a physical presence up front mainly Crystal Palace or Queens park Rangers who opt for systems where the striker need not bear the sole responsibility to score the goals. If Sanogo does leave on loan then Campbell is likely to get more chances from the bench and in the Cup games too.

Does Sanogo have a future at Arsenal?

Arsenal line up £26 million bid for Barcelona forward

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Arsenal are reportedly lining up a big money move to sign Barcelona forward Pedro when transfer window opens in January, according to reports in the Express.

The 27 year old has been a prominent figure for the Catalan giants in the last few seasons, but has found his first-team opportunities limited under Luis Enrique. He has scored six and assisted three in all competitions this season, but has been limited to just six La Liga starts and is expected to leave in search of regular playing time.

The report states that Arsene Wenger is reportedly lining up a £26 million move for Pedro when the transfer window reopens as he looks to boost his side’s chances in the title race.

The Spaniard, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool in recent months, told media back in October that his future at the Camp Nou is far from certain. He said:

I don’t know what’s going to happen yet, I don’t know anything.
I’m calm though. When a decision has to be made, I’ll speak with the club and we’ll see what happens.
Whatever comes in the future, will come.

Pedro is undoubtedly a quality player and would be worth every penny that we pay for him, but his presence doesn’t really improve the already full attacking line. We already have Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain vying for a place in the starting line-up.

It is unlikely that Pedro would bring something to the North London club that they don’t already possess. The defence should be the top priority for Wenger and with a reported transfer budget as little as £25 million, he cannot risk investing in other positions.

If Wenger does sign Pedro there will definitely be some question marks on his decision to pay such a hefty sum on a luxury player when other areas need addressing. While Pedro’s arrival is an enticing idea in principle, the reality remains that the funds are better spent elsewhere.

Do Arsenal need this Barcelona star?

Stop blaming Arsene Wenger, says Oxlade-Chamberlain

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Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has defended Arsene Wenger by claiming that the players must take the blame for the Gunners poor start to the season.

The French manager been come under immense amounts of criticism from some section of fans this season, following the North London club’s worst start to a League season in 30 years.

The England international feels that everyone at the club should take equal responsibility for the disastrous start to the season, not just Wenger.

According to Evening Standard, he said:

It’s a hard one for me to say what I would say to the fans. I understand their frustration. I would definitely say that and they are completely entitled to their own opinion. They pay good money to follow us around and support their club.
I am sure they have supported us for a number of years so they are definitely entitled to their opinion and I can understand their frustration. But I wouldn’t put that on the manager. We have to stand up ourselves as players.
On that day [at Stoke], it wasn’t the manager’s fault we went 3-0 down like we did in the first half. It was us as a group of players — we were not at the required level. On that day, it would have been harsh for a fan to completely blame our manager. As players, we are adults and we need to stand up and take some of that blame ourselves.
It is us as well as footballers to take responsibility but he would say the same thing in the same position as me [speaking publicly]. I am sure he will take responsibility because that’s what a great manager he is. All of us as a group need to work together to make things go the right way and we are trying to do that.

Chamberlain is spot on in his analysis about the situation that currently exists in and around the Emirates. It has been nothing less than a disastrous start to the season for the Gunners and many hold Wenger responsible for this, but when you analyse deep in you would realise that it’s just one side of the coin.

There is no doubting the fact that Wenger should have strengthened even more in the summer, but looking at the players Arsenal signed we should have been in a far better situation right now. So the current situation suggests that it’s not only the manager but players should also be held responsible for this start.

Some players under performed while injuries have also contributed to this start. However with many important players set to return in the coming weeks, we are looking super strong which shows just why Wenger hesitated in buying any more players. It was definitely a mistake from the boss to not make any defensive acquisitions, however the time has come to rectify these mistakes and hopefully the manager realises this.

Should we blame Wenger for this start?

Arsenal close in on Italian forward as agent talks up Gunners move

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Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco could make a move to Arsenal once his contract  expires with the Old Lady in the summer, according to the player’s agent.

The Gunners were strongly linked with the forward during pre-season, but signed Danny Welbeck on deadline day after failing to land him. The Italian international is set to leave Juventus in the summer once his contract expires, after falling down the pecking order in Turin due to severe competition for striker roles.

The 27 year old’s agent has admitted that their is a possibility of a move to the Emirates Stadium, but stated that the player will evaluate his options at the end of the season. He said:

Giovinco to Arsenal? At the moment only Juventus can negotiate with him, later on however things can change since he has an expiring contract. He also stated that he wants to evaluate options at the end of the season, since right now there is Serie A and the Champions League.
I haven’t met many times with Juventus, on our end we have always been open to it. Fiorentina? We know they like the player, but we’ll need to evaluate the project. Giovinco is 27 years old, he’s in the prime of his career and he has had some important experiences at Juventus.

He would be a right fit at Arsenal, as he is a very skillful player who exactly knows how to utilise the space in the midfield and the Italian also has a keen eye for goal. His superb set-pieces, dribbling skills and inch-perfect passes are sure to trouble any side that are up against him.

There is no doubt that he is an excellent player, but he isn’t in the same League as Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez in terms of quality. However with the Gunners lacking the depth in the squad due to persistent injuries over the past few years, it would be quite an asset to have a player like him coming off the bench.

He will be available for a cut price deal in January or on a free in the summer, but with his agent suggesting that his client wants regular football, which he is not expected to get at the Emirates, a move doesn’t make much of a sense for the player.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will really make a move for him, but it seems just some agent talk to me. The priority for Wenger will be to sign a defender and midfield enforcer first and then look for any other additions if he is indeed interested.

Should we sign him?

Henry: It would be a dream to manage Arsenal

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Arsenal legend Theirry Henry has stated that it would be his dream to manage the Gunners one day, but feels he needs to prove himself first.

The French striker, who announced his retirement yesterday, netted a record 175 Premier League goals for the Gunners during an excellent spell with the North London club and is still the club’s highest goalscorer.

The World cup winner has revealed that he is keen on coaching with the job at the Emirates being his ultimate goal, but suggested that he has to learn before even considering a return.

According to the Telegraph, he said:

Managing Arsenal would be a dream come true, but that’s not how it works.
You have to prove yourself first, you have to learn first. You need to be able to understand what it is to be a manager.
Can you teach, can you be patient? All these problems. People think they are all managers in their own way, but it’s not that easy.
The plan is to start my badges and I guess Arsenal will help me. To pass your badges, you have to work closely with a club and I would like to think it is going to be Arsenal. You know I’m in London when you see me at Arsenal.
First and foremost I don’t know how or when, but everybody knows I would love to go back to Arsenal in some capacity. But I need to be equipped to go back. I want to learn the process, so I have to get my badges and what not. We will see what is going to happen.
It’s not a secret, everybody talks about me going back to Arsenal and me the same thing, but it doesn’t always work like that. I have to make sure that I have everything on board to be able to go back.

Henry for now will join the Sky Sports team of pundits in a deal which is reportedly worth around a humongous £25 million. He has been a cool and composed personality during his playing days and will likely carry the same in this new role.

However the job does bring it’s challenges as you cannot favour a team and will have to criticise when the situation arrives, so it will be interesting to see how he will cope up with this. The job does have it’s own advantages as it will help you in understanding the game a lot better.

The comments suggest that Henry is definitely interested in taking up coaching but it’s not just at this point of time. The decision seems a correct one to me as it would have been difficult for him to immediately take up coaching.

Whenever he eventually takes up coaching there’s no doubt where he prefers to go. He has an unbelievable following among the Gunners fans and it seems there is one more fairy tale return still waiting to happen, we just have to wait for some more time.

Will Henry take over from Wenger?

[Twitter] Players and Fans react to Henry’s retirement

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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from Professional football earlier today bringing an end to a truly illustrious career.

The French striker, who is the Gunners all-time record goalscorer, has notched up a whopping 175 Premier League goals. His glittering career includes the World Cup which he won in 1998 and Euro 2000, two Premier League titles and an invincible season with the Gunners, as well three La Liga championships and a Champions League with Barcelona.

The 37 year old will join Sky Sports as a pundit after spending four-and-a-half-years in the MLS with the New York Red Bulls. He was expected to join Arsenal in some capacity, but it seems he has decided to spend sometime as an expert.

He will definitely do a great job providing an insight for the fans, but for a player of his class and experience, he should be involved in the game at some level. He might be do that in the coming years but for the mean time let’s all enjoy watching him on television.

Hopefully he will return to Arsenal as soon as possible, may be to replace Wenger although it’s a little too far fetched right now, but it will be a dream come true to call him boss.

Here are some of the reactions from Players and Fans

https://twitter.com/benjaminhague/status/544891591736164352

Arsenal close in on a deal for 'the next Patrick Viera'

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Arsenal are reportedly closing on a deal for Legia Warsaw midfielder Krystian Bielik after convincing his parents, according to reports in the Daily Star.

The 16 year old, caught the eye of the Gunners scouts after breaking into the Polish side’s first team this season and has often been compared to former Arsenal player Patrick Viera.

The report states that the North London club have already tabled a £1.6 million bid and the club chief’s have already showed Bielik’s parents a look around the facilities at the Emirates.It seems they have been impressed by how the club will handle the development of their young son and are keen on a move.

The club don’t want to put too much pressure on the youngster but are desperate not to miss out on the exciting prospect. The Gunners are expected to make further progress on Boxing Day after they invited the player’s family to watch their clash with QPR.

The player recently stated that he will be flying to London for further talks, but confirmed that he is yet to decide on a move. He said:

I’m flying to London. I have to think about it, I still do not know what decision I make.
I have to decide what will be best for me.
For now, however, I focus on the games for Legia.

He is renowned for being a creative player who can start-off attacks from his own half, while he is also extremely advanced technically. He is strong in the tackle and possesses wide range of passing. The Gunners are desperate for a defensive midfielder, as Arteta and Flamini doesn’t seem to have the legs to fight it out with the attacking threat the Premier League possesses.

Bielik is undoubtedly a huge prospect for the future, but he is still very young to fill the defensive midfield position. It’s a must for Arsenal to sign a midfield enforcer if they are to have any hopes of a top four finish and we need someone with more experience at the top level maybe in the mould of Khedira or William Carvalho.

I don’t think we will be in any rush to push the deal through in January, but it seems the Gunners management definitely believes that the youngster has what it takes to play at a much higher level than the Polish first division. My preference would be to sign a experienced player in January and then allow Bielik to get nurtured under him to eventually replace him?

Which defensive midfielder should Arsenal sign in January?

Twitter reacts to Welbeck's performance against Slovenia

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Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck produced an impressive display while on international duty, as he scored twice as England came from behind to beat Slovenia 3-1 in Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifiers.

The Three lions went behind in the 57th minute when Jordan Henderson headed in an own goal. However, they drew level two minutes later when Wayne Rooney, who was making his 100th appearance for his country, scored a penalty.

Arsenal striker Welbeck, who joined the Gunners from Manchester United over the summer, made it 2-1 with scuffed shot before slotting in the third in the 72nd minute to wrap up the win.

The Englishman now has five goals in Euro 2016 qualifying, which is an excellent return for a player who until last season was forced into playing a wide role for club and country.

Here are some of the best Tweets about Welbeck’s performance

https://twitter.com/AlwynPayne/status/533690513560727552

https://twitter.com/Dean_Hurrell/status/533686499813117952

https://twitter.com/navmirza/status/533690392949305345

What do you say Gooners?

Mesut Ozil confirms that he will be out for seven more weeks

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Arsenal have been dealt a big blow after midfielder Mesut Ozil confirmed that he will be out of action for a further period of seven weeks.

The German international, who suffered a knee injury while away on international duty, has already missed the last five weeks and was expected to return following the international break.

However, the World cup winner has now revealed that the injury has turned out worse than expected and he will miss atleast two more months.

According to Metro, he said:

I have already been out for five weeks and will be out for another seven weeks.

That is a really long time but that is the way it is in football sometimes.

My head is held high and we look forward.

His absence will be a big blow to Arsenal and it would represent one more bump in the road for the Gunners, who are already struggling to keep pace with League leaders Chelsea.

He needs games to prove his critics wrong and justify the massive investment Wenger made in him. The North London club have enough talent to back up for him, but it’s always better to have a player like Ozil on the pitch rather than off it.

Can Ozil show his true form this season?

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