ZCZC
BSP-07
FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-LIVERPOOL
Liverpool the real test for Arsenal’s Emery evolution
LONDON, Nov 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Handed an unforgiving start as Arsenal’s
first new manager for nearly a quarter of a century, Unai Emery has quickly
put defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea behind him with a 13-game unbeaten
run to earn the respect of the Gunners’ support.
However, the real test of how far Emery’s Arsenal have evolved since being
outclassed by City on the opening weekend of the season comes when Liverpool
travel to the Emirates on Saturday.
Arsenal have won 12 of those 13 games unbeaten, the only slip coming at
Crystal Palace last weekend when they conceded two penalties in a 2-2 draw.
Yet, they haven’t faced any of the Premier League’s top six from last
season in that run, with defeats of Watford and Everton their only victories
over sides in the top half of the table.
Emery still seems to be searching for the right balance, while also getting
two star centre-forwards in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
into the side.
Lacazette and Aubameyang have already combined for 14 goals between them
this season and their firepower has so far got Arsenal out of trouble,
particularly late in games with Emery’s men yet to enjoy a half-time lead in
the Premier League.
It is to Emery’s credit that his changes have often impacted the game
positively for his side, and that Arsenal only trail league leaders City and
Liverpool by four points heading into this weekend.
The priority for Arsenal this season remains a top four finish and a return
to the Champions League rather than a title challenge, and Emery is well on
course for that goal.
– Liverpool cure top six travel sickness –
However, the Spaniard can look to his opponents this weekend for
inspiration in what Arsenal could look like as the finished product.
Jurgen Klopp has taken almost three years to find the right blend between
attack and defence despite reaching two European finals with Liverpool, one
of which he lost to Emery’s Sevilla in the Europa League two years ago.
Until now, a realistic tilt at the title has been undermined by defensive
deficiencies.
In this fixture last season, Liverpool blew a two-goal lead by conceding
three times in five minutes in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
One of the major culprits for Liverpool’s collapse that night, goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet, has played just two Premier League games for the club since,
while within weeks Virgil van Dijk was bought for a world record fee for a
defender.
To have any chance of keeping pace with City in the quest for Liverpool’s
first Premier League title for nearly three decades, Klopp needed to
drastically improve results on the road against top six opposition.
That point at the Emirates as good as it got against the Premier League
elite last season. In total Liverpool conceded 15 goals in five games and
were beaten at City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Already there has been an upturn in fortunes with victory at Spurs last
month and Daniel Sturridge’s stunning late strike earning a well-deserved
point at Chelsea.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, City show no sign of letting up.
They too won at Spurs on Monday, held Liverpool at Anfield last month and
outclassed Arsenal in a baptism of fire for Emery on the first weekend of the
season.
In most other seasons, a point at a rejuvenated Arsenal would be seen as a
good result, but in trying to just keep pace with City, Liverpool need
another statement win on Saturday.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0833 hrs