This week’s Super Sunday sees Arsenal visit Merseyside for a mouthwatering clash against Liverpool as both sides look to improve on difficult starts to the Premier League season.
– Andy Gray and Richard Keys: Premier League predictions – Week 17
– Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling wins European Golden Boy award
– Thierry Henry retires: His career in pictures
– Henry’s greatest hits: Magic moments from Arsenal legend’s career
– Twitter reaction: Players flood social media to laud Henry
To gather an insight into the minds of the two sets of fans we asked members of the respective supporters’ clubs to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
Daniel Watson – Liverpool UAE Supporters Club (Dubai Reds)
After the disappointing result against Manchester United last weekend, Liverpool needed a change in fortune. Fortunately, it was forthcoming. An improved performance saw the Reds run out comfortable Capital One Cup winners against a Bournemouth team who had the potential to exploit the squad’s lack of confidence. It’s vital that Liverpool now use that as a springboard for picking up points in the Premier League – starting against Arsenal.
A win against the Gunners would be a huge boost going into the festive period – with the Reds desperate to pick up all points on offer after a shocking start to the season. It will be interesting to see whether Brendan Rodgers sticks with the same tactics that worked against Bournemouth or whether he will be a bit more reserved.
Brendan Rodgers on the test #LFC can expect against Arsenal and @sterling31‘s position: http://t.co/p1X3PRpUZx pic.twitter.com/HVS8KuMQhQ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 19, 2014
Rodgers is likely to continue with Brad Jones in goal, though this supporter feels it may be time for Simon Mignolet to return. Kolo Toure is our best defender on current form and he will anchor the back-line with Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho. After a fine display against Bournemouth, it would be nice to see Lazar Markovic given the opportunity to start again and get a few games under his belt, while Philippe Coutinho, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling as ever will have important roles to play.
Arsenal fans have been equally disappointed with how their season has gone so far, with some even calling for the head of long-serving Wenger. He has been at Arsenal that long it would be hard to imagine them without him and was still at the helm for a game that remains etched in my memory. In the 2001 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Liverpool were losing 1-0 with seven minutes to go. Then Michael Owen latched onto a rebound for the Reds’ equaliser before outpacing and outclassing veteran Gunners’ pair Tony Adams and Lee Dixon and finishing past David Seaman, sending Liverpool fans in the stands wild. One of a few parties that year.
Back to the present day and Arsenal will go into the game as slight favourites, but despite Arsenal’s impressive pace likely to pose a major threat, the Reds shouldn’t fear them. It is a fixture in which a few goals are usually scored, and it is also one in which Liverpool don’t have the best record – winning only 2 games out of the last 14 in the Premier League. Hopefully that record is about to be improved!
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal. Some festive cheer awaits the Reds, with goals from Gerrard and Sterling.
Liverpool player to watch: RAHEEM STERLING – His confidence will be boosted after his midweek display and goals, while he has also just scooped the European Golden Boy award – beating 39 others across the continent to win a prize that has previously been won by Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero. It is likely to raise his profile further which is not good news with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich sniffing around and Sterling yet to sign a new contract. Last year against Arsenal, Sterling was instrumental in the 5-1 demolition at Anfield – scoring twice.
Arsenal player to watch: ALEXIS SANCHEZ – The forward, who chose the Gunners over Liverpool in the summer, can expect a frosty reception at Anfield. Seeing him playing for Arsenal is still hard to take for many Reds fans as he is a class act, and the club sure could use someone like him at the moment! Kolo Toure, up against his old club, will have to be on form – along with the rest of Liverpool’s back line – if the Chilean is to be stopped.
Likely Liverpool XI: Jones, Sakho, Toure, Skrtel, Henderson, Moreno, Lucas, Gerrard, Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic
Where to watch: Join the Dubai Reds at Goodfellas Sports Bar in the Ramee Rose hotel in Tecom.
Richard D’cruze – Arsenal UAE Supporters Club
This fixture last season saw Arsenal get hammered 5-1 – with four of the goals coming in the first 20 minutes! That frightful Saturday afternoon was the start of Arsenal’s collapse from the summit of the Premier League table. However, not all hope is lost when it comes down to bragging rights between the two teams. Arsenal have won three of their previous four trips to Anfield before last season’s thrashing, and will be looking to leave the red side of Merseyside with a fourth win on Sunday.
The first few months of this season has been very nervy for Liverpool and Arsenal, with both Brendan Rogers and Arsene Wenger finding themselves in the firing line. After challenging for the title last season, Liverpool have suffered without the talismanic Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, who has been out of action since the end of August. Mario Balotelli is suspended for the match, which means Brendan Rogers will have to rely on the services of the talented Raheem Sterling for creativity.
VIDEO: See what Arsene Wenger had to say about #LFCvAFC in his pre-match press conference http://t.co/2P8hzAX4sj pic.twitter.com/nt8vtkZFBe
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 20, 2014
The Gunners have seen players such as Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny suffer niggling injuries in recent weeks, with Mesut Ozil also suffering a relapse in his rehabilitation – the Germany playmaker now out until 2015. In total, Arsenal have 11 first team players on the treatment table at present.
After the humiliating defeat to Stoke, Arsenal have suddenly sprung back to life with two 4-1 victories over Galatasary – which saw us seal our spot in the second round of the Champions League – and Newcastle, who were probably still celebrating the fact that they are the first team to beat Chelsea this season.
A win at Anfield will see the Gunners jump into the top four, depending on West Brom and Everton’s results, while Liverpool pretty much have nothing to play for as a win won’t get them any closer to being the force they were last season. Something to excite all Arsenal fans is the news that Theo Walcott is back in training and could feature at some point in the match.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal. With only three games left to play in 2014, Arsenal will be looking to pick maximum points and get into the top four before January rolls out.
Likely Arsenal line-up: Szczesny, Debuchy, Chambers, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Sanchez, Podolski, Welbeck, Giroud
Liverpool’s player to watch: RAHEEM STERLING – The boy is a force to be reckoned with. Whilst an outstanding display during last season’s fixture saw Sterling notch two goals, his overall stellar performance made him a key player for both Liverpool and England and also recently saw him win the win the prestigious 2014 Golden Boy Award – the first English recipient since Wayne Rooney.
Arsenal’s player to watch: SANTI CAZORLA – The diminutive Spaniard was in sensational form against Newcastle; Santi celebrated his 30th birthday in style by scoring a brace – his second and third goal in two matches.
Where to watch: The Official Arsenal UAE Supporters Club usually gather at Spirals bar at Grandeur Hotel in Al Barsha. However, due to refurbishment reasons, Arsenal UAE will be gathering at The Crown & Lion Bar at Byblos Hotel in TECOM. For more information please contact [email protected]
