7M - Liverpool vs Arsenal preview

Posted Saturday, December 20, 2014 by 7M Sport

An eye-catching battle will hit on December 21th afternoon. Liverpool will entertain Arsenal at Anfield Stadium in the 17th round of 2014/15 Premier League. In the first 16 rounds, Liverpool stay 11th with 21 points(6 wins, 3 draws and 7 defeats), and Arsenal stay 6th with 26 points(7 wins, 5 draws and 4 defeats).

Both sides met each other 34 times in this century. Arsenal had 17 wins, 11 draws and 6 defeats, so they were obviously superior. Among their last 7 encounters in all competitions, Arsenal also had an advantage with 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. Regarding Liverpool's last 7 home clashes with Arsenal, they only grabbed 1 win but suffered 3 draws and 3 defeats. Therefore Liverpool don't have home advantage. Last season both teams had 3 encounters - 2 in the league and 1 in the FA Cup. Although they beat each other once in the league in the last season, Liverpool humiliated Arsenal 5-1 on Anfield Stadium.

7M - Liverpool vs Arsenal preview

Currently Liverpool's player list is full of injury. Daniel Sturridge, John Flanagan and Suso have a long time out. Banned by FA and struggled by injury, Mario Balotelli are doomed to miss this match. The defensive duo Dejan Lovren and Glen Johnson hurt their ankle. It's reported that Lovren may return in this match, but Johnson are expected to wait until Mid-January. Media also revealed that wounded captain Steven Gerrard and key defender Martin Skrtel would be out of this match.

7M - Liverpool vs Arsenal preview

Arsenal also plunged into the same situation. Mesut Ozil, Vassiriki Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere still suffer long-term injury. Mikel Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey would continue their injury absence. In this season, Gunner's defensive line is always short of full defenders, let alone this match. Koscielny and Monreal who is into an unfamiliar centre-back role previously would not show up at centre-back. In the last game against Newcastle, Arsene Wenger asked Mathieu Debuchy to play in unfamilair position at centre-back, which brought unexpected influence. Therefore Debuchy may play this position again in this match. Calum Chambers may return and play right back in the XI. Besides, Arsenal have called back their loaner - French player Francis Coquelin. Therefore Coquelin may play with Mathieu Flamini to strengthen their defensive end.

According to both sides' recent performance, Arsenal are better than Liverpool. As for the injury damage, Liverpool suffer more pain. In light of the 5-1 humiliation on Anfield Stadium in the last season, Gunner would spare no effort to revenge in this match. Therefore Liverpool are likely to lose on home field.