This is a week in which Arsenal and Liverpool have to transform their seasons. They meet in the Premier League on Saturday, then head into crucial Europa League and Champions League clashes, against Slavia Prague and Real Madrid respectively.
Europe is where these clubs can turn their underwhelming campaigns into successful ones, and a morale-boosting win at the Emirates would not go amiss.
The international break will have given Mikel Arteta time to consider his vision for the future. Arsenal’s manager may not have to look any further than his side’s second-half display at West Ham and the formation he finished with.
The final 15 minutes was total domination and all-action from Arsenal. Arteta changed the shape with a double substitution, replacing Granit Xhaka and the tiring Bukayo Saka with Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe.
With that, Arsenal went from having two midfield sitters in a 4-2-3-1 to having only Thomas Partey sitting in a 4-3-3. Partey had two creative players in Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard on either side of him and the full backs were flying.
It was reminiscent of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City set-up, in the way that Rodri is flanked by Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. This was the system I expected from Arteta after he arrived from City midway through last season. Yet he has taken a more cautious approach, most recently standing by two midfield sitters with another advanced midfielder playing off the front.
Arsenal would sit fourth in a Premier League table since Christmas. The introduction of the youth players has been instrumental in their success, with Smith Rowe coming into the team on Boxing Day and Saka playing more in his preferred position on the right wing.
Gabriel Martinelli was finally given some minutes towards the closing stages at West Ham, adding another injection of youthful exuberance on the left wing. It’s puzzling that we don’t see more of the 19-year-old.
He’s simply too good to be an unused substitute. If given his chance, he could come into the team and play a major part in resurrecting Arsenal’s season, similar to the impact Smith Rowe has had.
Another shining light is Kieran Tierney, who is being rightly hailed for his commitment in flying down the left flank.
Calum Chambers was equally as energetic on the right at London Stadium and took his chance to impress.
Despite the way it troubled West Ham, Arteta may not feel Saturday is the night to field a 4-3-3 from the off. It might be he reverts to the Xhaka and Partey partnership in midfield for Liverpool.
If you delve into the statistics, it’s interesting that only one of the nine Premier League teams to have beaten Liverpool this season attacked Jurgen Klopp’s left-hand side more than they did his right.
The other eight had a specific plan, targeting Liverpool’s right side which has lately consisted of three immensely talented players — Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah.
I was baffled by Alexander-Arnold’s omission from the latest England squad. This right back is a class act — a real creative force. He is the Premier League’s top crosser from open play. His forays into the final third leaves spaces behind but it has been the failure of Liverpool to not provide cover.
It hasn’t helped having Fabinho taken out of midfield and placed in the back line. His protection has been missed. Alexander-Arnold, Thiago and Salah face another tough test on Saturday night.
Arsenal are strong down their left-hand side — as Tottenham discovered last month. Tierney, Smith Rowe and Xhaka rotate exceptionally well. Tierney flies down the flank, Xhaka drifts to wide left, and Smith Rowe moves into midfield. It drags opposition players out of position, engineers space and you could see this very movement as Arsenal equalised against Spurs at the Emirates.
Smith Rowe was also under orders to dart into the space behind the full back. He repeatedly made this same run, and it left Spurs right back Matt Doherty unsure who to pick up.
Arteta has clearly been working hard with his players on these purposeful movements, and he will want his left-hand side to test Liverpool. That will be a key tactical battle between two teams who want to make progress in the Premier League but have season-defining European clashes on the horizon.
The picture above is taken six seconds before Arsenal equalised against Tottenham last month and shows how the Gunners are effective down the left flank — an area of weakness for Liverpool.
Xhaka moves left in an attempt to draw Spurs players with him, Smith Rowe has already dropped inside from the left wing and Tierney has space to send in a cross which Odegaard converts.
This is moments before Gundogan scored for Manchester City against Liverpool in February and highlights how the defending champions are vulnerable when attacked down the left.
Sterling beats Alexander-Arnold all ends up before finding Foden on the edge of the six-yard box. Foden’s shot is saved but Gundogan scores from the rebound to begin City’s rout.
the_Profe55or
0
Who’s crying now fool 😂😂😂
You still an id*ot any day anytime,.. I accepted my defeat like a b😎ss! You gave a thousand excuses for your shitastrophic defeat,.. So f*ck off over there and CRY SOME MORE! 😐😐
Ruedeklmuz
0
That was When Fabinho was in CB... Now my boys are good to go D. Jota promised me ⚽️ ⚽️ today
Jota did as u wanted from him#YNWA
Karmani
0
Cry baby club, always giving excuses when you supposed to man the f*ck up and accept the fact that your title defense is the most SHITASTROPHIC so far in the history of the epl,.. So who's DUMB here now? 😂😂
Who’s crying now fool 😂😂😂
xanta
0
At our best we made it 🏆 , at your best you struggle to make top 6 💔😅
arsenal Epl champions 2004, is yours golden???
the_Profe55or
0
Despite the injuries we are still above useless Arsenal 💔😂
You're right i won't ague with you,.. But at least man df up and stop giving unnecessary excuses whenever sh*t hits your fan! 😂😂
the_Profe55or
0
Are you trying to play dumb or you just naturally stupid for Godsakes it’s not an excuse y’all know that Buh just want to be in denial cus y’all are in the I HATE LIVERPOOL BANDWAGON Pathetic
Cry baby club, always giving excuses when you supposed to man the f*ck up and accept the fact that your title defense is the most SHITASTROPHIC so far in the history of the epl,.. So who's DUMB here now? 😂😂
FootballArtist
0
my team against Liverpool
[image]
Chambers did play superbly last time around.. I'm with you on this one but the problem is he doesn't do it consistently
FootballArtist
1
It does please the eye!!!
Karmani
0
Every big epl teams has had their fair share of injuries over the past couple of years,.. It's still not a fantastic excuse for surrendering your title SO QUICKLY with lots of beautiful records broken and unbroken. Always remember that next time before calling someone a FOOL. Meanwhile enjoy your injuries whilst it lasts! 😏🙄😏
Are you trying to play dumb or you just naturally stupid for Godsakes it’s not an excuse y’all know that Buh just want to be in denial cus y’all are in the I HATE LIVERPOOL BANDWAGON Pathetic
Kingslayer12
1
not an excuse, injury hits everyone enjoynur fortune 😜😜
At our best we made it 🏆 , at your best you struggle to make top 6 💔😅
Kingslayer12
0
Every big epl teams has had their fair share of injuries over the past couple of years,.. It's still not a fantastic excuse for surrendering your title SO QUICKLY with lots of beautiful records broken and unbroken. Always remember that next time before calling someone a FOOL. Meanwhile enjoy your injuries whilst it lasts! 😏🙄😏
Despite the injuries we are still above useless Arsenal 💔😂
Badhur
1
That was When Fabinho was in CB... Now my boys are good to go D. Jota promised me ⚽️ ⚽️ today
YNWA
Badhur
0
Keep on dreaming Arsenal
jiuciknz
0
Yeah, I agree.
Zunaoptz
1
call me rffc
the_Profe55or
0
Only fools would wonder. knew Liverpool lost all their CBs through injury and shifted their reliable midfielders to CB who also got injured anyway.. So it took time to design a new format witb new players in new possessions
Every big epl teams has had their fair share of injuries over the past couple of years,.. It's still not a fantastic excuse for surrendering your title SO QUICKLY with lots of beautiful records broken and unbroken. Always remember that next time before calling someone a FOOL. Meanwhile enjoy your injuries whilst it lasts! 😏🙄😏
Ufotson
2
That was When Fabinho was in CB... Now my boys are good to go D. Jota promised me ⚽️ ⚽️ today
jndaka
0
i said and I repeat...give me Martinelli....we win this match
ShubhankurSharma
0
Ironic that city's 3 out of 4 goals against Liverpool came from the right side, ie, where Robertson plays.
xanta
0
Only fools would wonder. knew Liverpool lost all their CBs through injury and shifted their reliable midfielders to CB who also got injured anyway.. So it took time to design a new format witb new players in new possessions
not an excuse, injury hits everyone enjoynur fortune 😜😜
ehirani
2
my team against Liverpool
Nemza
0
is this article correct, or am I in a parallel universe cos I can't explain how Liverpool has lost 9 games while they lost only 1 game in the entire 2018/19
Only fools would wonder. knew Liverpool lost all their CBs through injury and shifted their reliable midfielders to CB who also got injured anyway.. So it took time to design a new format witb new players in new possessions
Zuzabklpuz
1
It's dull to see Trent in a bad form recently. I want to see the trent of 18/19 season back 🔥One of the best RBs of Premier League 🦁
actually its no gomes and the lack of the defensive shild which fabinyo gave him
Promzy171
0
is this article correct, or am I in a parallel universe cos I can't explain how Liverpool has lost 9 games while they lost only 1 game in the entire 2018/19
I even wonder 😐
kisilah
2
play martineli and bench auba. I think arteta isn't good at team selection. he needs to go for a loan and come back after 5years.
xanta
3
is this article correct, or am I in a parallel universe cos I can't explain how Liverpool has lost 9 games while they lost only 1 game in the entire 2018/19
xanta
1
It's dull to see Trent in a bad form recently. I want to see the trent of 18/19 season back 🔥One of the best RBs of Premier League 🦁
I don't think Trent dropped form, it's just the regular Trent who helps Liverpools attacks and knows vvd is there to cover up. too bad vvd is there for the meantime
obbyoHD
2
I prefer not to speak
FaithEvans
3
Whoever said this should just go and become a manager already... oh no, it's easier said than done. Stay in the studio, Martin
ajasaemma2004
1
He can't do that bcos I everyone has done their homework on him
No VVD that is why 😒😒😒
Vimbeilop
1
It's dull to see Trent in a bad form recently. I want to see the trent of 18/19 season back 🔥One of the best RBs of Premier League 🦁
He can't do that bcos I everyone has done their homework on him
zuhbdkosu
1
no one help him in his position let's see fabinho is back in mid it will bring something ...........
jeebcdimrt
2
Not every plan is successful. We are back.
The_Striker_LITE
6
It's dull to see Trent in a bad form recently. I want to see the trent of 18/19 season back 🔥One of the best RBs of Premier League 🦁