Premier League preview: Liverpool v Arsenal
This is Anfield. This is Liverpool. This is the Premier League. This isn’t quite how it used to be though.
The winds have change have blown through Britain’s most successful football club all summer, and while there are still a few issues to address – the takeover continues to drag on – at least there has been cause for optimism on the playing side of things, and how that was needed.
The arrival of Roy Hodgson has revitalised the club. In just six weeks the veteran boss has seen both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres pledge their loyalty to the cause, a comfortable Europa League win that showcased the depth of young talent that there is in the squad and the arrival of new signings that have both excited and inspired the Anfield faithful, none more so than a certain free Englishman.
“I loved my first game at Anfield,” says Joe Cole, recalling his first home appearance in a red shirt in last week’s Europa League victory over Macedonian outfit FK Rabotnicki.
“I enjoyed 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. I made a point of putting that one in the memory bank. That was a special moment for me.
“I enjoyed making the goal for David [Ngog] but mainly I enjoyed playing in a central position. It has been seven years since I have played there regularly. I was blowing the cobwebs off a little bit, but there are things that I need to work on and things I have done well.”
Cole will start his Liverpool Premier League career in that central position against Arsenal, probably just off Ngog, with Torres still struggling for fitness. The former Chelsea midfielder was widely tipped to join the Gunners in the summer, and he knows all about the quality of Arsène Wenger’s men.
“Arsenal is a tough game for anybody, especially early on in the season because they've got a young team,” says Cole.
“Younger players get fitter and sharper quicker so it's a very tough game for us. I think it's the toughest game we could have had but we've got to thrive on that challenge and I'm looking forward to being part of this great team.”
Who else will be in that team for Hodgson’s first league match is unclear.
Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen only signed on Thursday but has been at pains to point out that he’s fit and available, but aside from Cole, Gerrard and presumably Jamie Carragher, all of the other positions in Hodgson’s new-look side are up for grabs, even in goal, where Pepe Reina is likely to play despite not featuring in any of Liverpool’s pre-season matches. Centre back Martin Škrtel is injured.
Things are little bit more ordered at Arsenal, where Wenger is about to start his 15th season at manager, and celebrating the fact by signing a three-year extension to his contract.
Only forward Marouane Chamakh, who had ironically interested Liverpool, and defender Laurent Koscielny have arrived during the summer, with the ageing William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikaël Silvestre all shipped out. Most Arsenal supporters would have hoped for more, particularly in goal – although a move for Mark Schwarzer appears imminent – but all would have been happy with Cesc Fàbregas’ eventual decision to stay – however much his arm was twisted. It is another little genius who Wenger is looking to on Sunday afternoon though.
“What do I expect from Andrey Arshavin this season? If he remains completely fit he can give the team everything,” said the Gunners boss.
“With his creative side he can be decisive, create chances and score goals. That is what you want from him.”
That is what Wenger has got from him at Anfield, where his winner last season followed on from his four strikes in the phenomenal 4-4 draw last March. Indeed, the Russian has scored more goals at Liverpool’s home ground than all but five of the Reds’ squad.
He’ll need to be on form for an understrength Gunners at the weekend, with both Fàbregas and Robin van Persie tipped to start from the bench due to a lack of fitness, and Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alex Song all likely to be out. Youngsters Emmanuel Frimpong and England’s newest international Jack Wilshere look like coming into the midfield.
There is little doubt that we won’t see the best of both sides at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Both are still getting their players back to full fitness after many were away at the World Cup.
Perhaps one of the stars who are likely to start on the bench – the likes of Torres, Fàbregas, van Persie or Dirk Kuyt – could make the difference, but both bosses would probably welcome a point to start the season with.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, as there is certainly enough talent on the pitch to make a difference for their sides. The likes of Cole and Arshavin will have a say, while Wenger would have been perturbed to have seen Steven Gerrard’s sensational return to form for England in midweek.
But the signs point to a draw, and an acceptable start to the season for both.
Prediction: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1
Tags: