Less entertainment as Arsenal gain respect
There have been doubts around Arsenal’s position at the top of the Premier League during their impressive run at the start of this season, and even their place within the top four.
However, a lot of those doubters were silenced by a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, where the Gunners imposed themselves on a dangerous Antonio Conte side from the off and got their just rewards.
Gabriel Jesus continued to be the presence in the final third that the club have missed for a very long while, and his grit and determination to chase down a lost cause resulted in Arsenal re-taking the lead shortly after half time.
An out-of-sorts Liverpool side make the difficult trip to North London on Sunday in aiming to close the gap between themselves and the top four.
Process
The Reds will have two extra days to prepare for the match after a comfortable 2-0 win over Rangers on Tuesday evening.
Whereas Arsenal, even though they will likely rotate significantly, have to wait until Thursday to take on Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
The Reds have been uncharacteristically leaky at the back so far this season and are constantly conceding the first goals in games at the moment.
Virgil Van Dijk has looked lethargic at times and Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite not being as bad defensively as he gets called out for, has become a target for opposition forward lines.
Arsenal have improved considerably in their defensive process, allowing just 0.9 expected goals (xG) against per game in the league, and it was close to a flawless performance against Spurs at the back, apart from the one time that were undone on the counter, leading to a rash tackle from Gabriel and Spurs’ equaliser from 12 yards.
Goals?
A potential angle but I do feel like this one may not live up to its billing.
Both sides have the attacking talent to produce a goal-laden game, but Jurgen Klopp may take some further caution given their poor performances of late.
Arsenal have scored in nine of nine.
Arsenal have conceded in six of nine.
Arsenal have seen both teams score in six of nine.
Arsenal have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of nine.
Liverpool have scored in nine of ten.
Liverpool have conceded in seven of ten.
Liverpool have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
3-2 Arsenal, wrong angle on my part, will not be trusting Liverpool's defence again soon.