Arsene Wenger has endured a tough week after his side went down to Stoke City away from home, despite dominating most of the game. The French manager was picked upon for his wrong team selection and substitutions made in the game.
This could be the last season for him at the Emirates if Arsenal fail to get any major trophy and the 67-year-old knows it all too well. And his task doesn’t get any easier as Arsenal visit Anfield to play Liverpool next Sunday, where a win is more than unlikely especially with the poor defensive display that the Gunners have shown so far, this season.
However, Liverpool aren’t known for having the best defence in the league either and stopping a formidable Arsenal attack wouldn’t be an easy task by any means.
Predicted 3-4-2-1 Arsenal Line-up vs Liverpool
Defence
The position under the bar should be taken by Petr Cech. The Czech custodian has been quite assuring for the Gunners although Arsenal’s poor back line left little for him to work for at the back. But, his ball distribution and anticipation are as good as it gets in the league and Wenger wouldn’t want to risk experimenting with him.
The back three is finally expected to see Laurent Koscielny back from his three-match suspension. Wenger has been criticized vehemently for his using full backs in his central defensive even when someone like Per Mertesacker was available against Stoke City. His decision to play Nacho Monreal as his central defender backfired as he couldn’t track the run of Jese Rodriguez, which led to the goal.
We expect Arsenal to find some stability with Koscielny starting at the centre alongside Shkodran Mustafi and Monreal at the back.
Midfield
The wing backs are likely to be Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac. The Bosnian international has had quite an impact in the first game itself and it is a pity that the deluded manager hasn’t played him to his strengths. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to start on the bench following one of his underwhelming displays against Stoke.
Liverpool are always vulnerable to counter attacks and we expect Wenger to start Aaron Ramsey alongside Granit Xhaka in the midfield. The Swiss international hasn’t found his defensive boots this season as effectively as he has been in attack. Ramsey would have to give him more cover.
Attack
Arsenal could see Alexis Sanchez return to the first team after recovering from his abdominal strain and Wenger wouldn’t waste time pairing him with Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette up front.
