Arsenal have the chance to lay down a real marker in the race for the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta’s side are preparing to travel to Anfield to take on Arne Slot’s reigning champions with both sides having won their opening two games.
Peter Crouch is predicting a draw between the two sides and that has been the result on the last three occasions in the league.
However, injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard against Leeds added to the knee problem suffered by Kai Havertz. The Gunners will have a real puzzle as to how they set up their attack.
Mikel Arteta told the ‘safest option’ for Arsenal’s attack against Liverpool
Speaking on the latest episode of ‘Inside Arsenal’ journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Arteta’s ‘safest option’ at Anfield involves selecting a front five that includes Mikel Merino.
Merino scored twice against Liverpool last season and played as an auxiliary striker during Arsenal’s injury crisis, however, Watts believes that Arteta should use him as part of his midfield.
Watts stated: “That’s kind of the safest option I think he could potentially go for there, you bring in the experience of Merino and try and just dominate in midfield,
“Win possession a lot of the time, Rice, Zubimendi, Merino, we know the capabilities they’ve got of winning duels and really trying to control that midfield options.”
The journalist believes that Arteta will also choose Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli as the two wingers either side of Viktor Gyokeres.
Whilst it is still a strong enough line-up for the Gunners to get a result, you can’t help but feel that Arteta could be braver in his selection.
How Mikel Arteta should set up his Arsenal attack against Liverpool
Despite his impressive performance from the bench against Leeds, it is certainly too early to throw Max Dowman into the cauldron that is Anfield.
However, another Hale End star should be given the chance from the start in Ethan Nwaneri after he showed that he could dictate play in the number ten position.
It may be too soon for Eberechi Eze to start for the Gunners and the 27-year-old could make a real impact from the bench but Nwaneri would give Arsenal more dynamism in attack than Merino.
Despite his critics, Martinelli has a good record against Liverpool and right back is a problem area for the hosts currently with Jeremie Frimpong out injured.
The Brazilian’s pace could be a real outlet for Arsenal and Arteta has to instil some sort of belief into the 23-year-old that he can be the difference-maker in the game.
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