Combined XI: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
- Frankie Hobbs
- @Frankie_Hobbs
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Liverpool vs. Arsenal is what I would describe as The Social Media Derby™ — both sets of fans are known for sometimes overrating their players and taking over polls on Twitter and other social media platforms. They are also the two fanbases that react the most to combined XI articles like this.
So let’s get this started – just who makes the combined XI between Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp’s men?
Disclaimer: This is based on the 2015/16 season.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
This one is a no-brainer. Big Pete walks into this team. Even the most biased Liverpool fan wouldn’t argue with this.
Cech has been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season and one of the best signings Arsene Wenger has ever made.
Right back: Hector Bellerin
It’s not often a right-sided defender is picked out as an attacking threat on Monday Night Football. Hector Bellerin was, and rightly so. He’s already one of the best in the business and has years to improve.
Nathaniel Clyne is a very good full-back, but can be a bit of a deer in headlights. Bellerin is more composed going forward and has been part of a better defence this season.
Centre back: Dejan Lovren
This is going to surprise a few people, but Dejan Lovren has actually been Liverpool’s best centre-back this season. And whilst that probably doesn’t sound like the biggest award, he has probably just about been better than Per Mertesacker this season.
Centre back: Laurent Koscielny
The secret is out: Laurent Koscielny is the best centre-back in the Premier League. By some distance too. He was never not going to make this team. was he?
Left back: Nacho Monreal
Nacho Monreal has continued his fantastic form from last season and has been head and shoulders above anything Liverpool have to offer here.
He defends fantastically and his decision making is better than most. Monreal is Arsenal’s Mr. Consistency.
Centre midfield: Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey is finding his feet again this season and watching him on form is a sight to behold. He’s one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League and can hold his own against anyone.
Liverpool’s midfield is weak, so the Welshman easily gets in here.
Centre midfield: Emre Can
Emre Can has been unspectacularly good this season, but has been one of Jurgen Klopp’s more consistent performers. Having said that, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla have missed large chunks of the season and Can is probably the best fit next to Ramsey.
He’s a nice player — the German has two good feet, can tackle and get about the pitch well.
Right wing: Theo Walcott
Say what you want about Theo Walcott, he will always score or create goals when he plays. Unlike Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, you always feel like a goal could be coming with Theo on the pitch.
He may feel his best position is up top, but for this combined XI he has to make do with the wing. On his day, Walcott is unplayable. Let’s just hope Wednesday is one of those days.
Centre attacking midfield: Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil isn’t just the best no.10 between these two teams, he’s probably the best in the world at the moment.
There were some Liverpool fans claiming that Philippe Coutinho was better than him. I think we can safely say these remarks have all swiftly disappeared. There are few players in Europe playing at Ozil’s level and they certainly aren’t in the Liverpool side.
Left wing: Alexis Sanchez
Liverpool wanted to replace Luis Suarez with Alexis Sanchez. That should tell you all you need to know. He’s a world class talent on his day, and luckily for Arsenal fans, he has a lot of days. Coutinho? Alexis is better. Firmino? Again, Alexis is better. The Chilean is one of the league’s best.
Centre forward: Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud has come in for his fair share of criticism over the years, but the Frenchman has been in stunning form this season and has already racked up 16 goals.
On the basis of this season, he is by far the best striker of the bunch.