Striker selection, Martinelli and more - previewing Arsenal vs Liverpool

With only nine games to go, the Gunners will travel to Anfield to take on an extremely inconsistent Liverpool team. Arsenal won the reverse fixture 3-2 at the Emirates, so what does Mikel Arteta need to consider in order to leave with the same result?

Jesus vs Trossard

It is possibly the biggest talking point coming out of London Colney at the moment – who does Arteta start? On one hand, Jesus was the focal point of the most electrifying attack in the league before his injury, bagging twice against Leeds last game. On the other hand, Leandro Trossard has produced more assists than ten other Premier League teams since his debut for Arsenal.

If it were up to me, Trossard would be starting. Off thirteen games for the Gunners, he averages an assist per 56 minutes. He fills the false 9 role that Jesus plays brilliantly and the Arsenal attack has learned to function terrifically with him starting. Jesus will have to fight to get back into the starting eleven.

Martinelli vs Trent

For me, this is where the game is won and lost. Martinelli finished with a first minute goal, as well as an assist, last time out, earning himself the Man of the Match award. The Brazilian will walk into Anfield as the league’s fifth highest goal scorer – if he can add to his tally then Arsenal will surely leave with all three points.

Saka’s illness, Saliba’s back

Arsenal’s starboy was forced out of the starting eleven against Leeds, with Arteta explaining that it was an illness that restricted him to only coming off the bench. All indicators suggest that Saka has returned to full fitness since then and will be ready for the Liverpool clash.

On the other hand, star defender William Saliba will not feature at Anfield. Whilst he is still progressing through his recovery, his back injury has not yet passed and his return date remains unknown.

Liverpool’s injury woes

Against Chelsea, Klopp sidelined Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Salah, Gakpo and Van Dijk. Whilst the first four names on the list were believed to have just been rested, Van Dijk missed the game through illness. It seems that the Dutchman will be available for the game.

The same can’t be said for the others though. As Thiago and Luis Diaz work through their rehabilitation, there were no signs of Mohammed Salah, Diogo Jota or Joe Gomez in Liverpool training. This would bring the unavailability list to:

- Mohammed Salah

- Diogo Jota

- Joe Gomez

- Thiago

- Luis Diaz

- Stefan Bajcetic

- Naby Keita

What does this mean for Arsenal? It means that Partey, Xhaka and Odegaard have the chance to absolutely blitz the Liverpool midfield and bombard the defence.

A win at Anfield would give Arsenal some terrific momentum over Manchester City, as Citizens across the world will be rooting for the home team. A win would propel Mikel Arteta’s men to 75 points. Pep will take his team to St. Mary’s Stadium to take on bottom-dwellers Southampton.

All in all, this game provides Arsenal with the perfect chance to accelerate their title chances. Anything less than a win will be seen as a chance gone begging.