Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool visits the Emirates as Arsenal’s 2016-2017 Premier League campaign starts off on Sunday with a match that could go either way.
As it is the first fixture of the season, players on both sides of the pitch will still be getting back their match fitness and finding a rhythm again. Arsenal against a much-improved Liverpool is the best game of the weekend and Arsenal can’t stall in getting three points.
The Gunners come into this match with a poor record in season-opening games. In the last six seasons, Arsenal has only one win in Matchweek 1 fixtures, that coming in 2014 against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool comes into the season after six new summer signings, including Southampton winger Sadio Mane and Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. Klopp has managed to stir up excitement around his team, who fell out of the European places but has high hopes in a tough Premier League this season. The Reds will be missing key first-teamers like James Milner and Dejan Lovren and other new signings Marko Grujic and Lorius Karius, but expect them to put out a competitive squad.
The 2015-2016 season’s two fixtures between Arsenal and Liverpool were draws. The teams left the Emirates on 24th August splitting the spoils after a 0-0 result, and now-Stoke midfielder Joe Allen’s 90th-minute goal salvaged a 3-3 draw after Olivier Giroud’s brace on 13th January.
The Gunners are missing key men due to injury (Per Mertesacker and Jack Wilshere) and the rest from long international duties (Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny), so whoever replaces them will have to focus in these areas:
Establishing the possession-based attack early – In the pre-season, Arsenal looked much better when they retained possession of the ball. Players like Granit Xhaka, Alexis and possible starter Santi Cazorla thrive when they have time and space on the ball, and keeping possession is important for that. Errant passing, which is bound to happen in the first game of the season, must be kept to a minimum for Arsenal to establish that rhythm and momentum.
Getting the ball to whomever starts up top – Alexis and fellow forward Theo Walcott present a different task for the Arsenal attack than when Giroud starts. Their pace allows for long balls and through balls to be hit their way for them to run onto and do something with. Alexis is a brilliant dribbler and can help create chances for others as well as himself, while Walcott has shown an acute ability to finish in the past. All they need is the ball at their feet.
Strong communication along the backline – No matter who starts in defense, it’s up to veterans Nacho Monreal and Petr Cech to direct proceedings. The Gunners defense benefited much last year from Cech’s communication and experience, traits that will be especially important in the early part of the season with Mertesacker and Koscielny unavailable. The communication of whichever two of Monreal, Calum Chambers, Krystian Bielik, Rob Holding or even Mathieu Debuchy will be vital to earning three points.
Predicted Score: Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
