Liverpool lost 4-1 in the comparable fixture last season. 2-0 the year before, with a 2-2 the season before, despite having taken a two-goal lead that day. Of late, this isn't a fixture we've handled incredibly well. Our last win their was under Kenny the previous year, scoring twice without conceding.
Having underwhelmed in the first game, Arsenal have got points on the board. They will look to step up their performance levels again, barely mustering enough to get past Palace last week. Liverpool have been similarly lethargic, playing okay without hitting form, and winning both games 1-0 a la Ferguson's United days.
Cech, despite his inconsistent start, will be in goal. Ospina is his backup.
Koscielny and Mertesacker will form the centre-back pairing. With Bellerin and Monreal at full back, they have a solid back line. Chambers, Gabriel, Debuchy and Gibbs make up another potential back-four.
In midfield, Arsenal will probably start with Coquelin and Cazorla, with Ramsay, Ozil and Sanchez ahead of him. Arsenal have the option of bringing Arteta, Flamini, Oxlade and Zelalem through. While they have options, only Oxlade really offers a threat from the bench in here.
Up top, Giroud is backed up by Walcott, and both are pushing to be first-choice. While this is an area they could improve on, much will depend on how opposition defenses handle the front 4 they attack with - (Ramsay, Ozil, Sanchez and Giroud), which is a very good quality front quartet.
Arsenal will attempt to control the game, as they always do at home. Much will depend on how Liverpool can pressure the team into gifting possession, and countering - the latter an area Liverpool haven't really been forced to attempt to play. Expect to see Lovren targetted by Giroud, and Ramsay and Sanchez switching sides to test Gomez down Liverpool's left. Their expectations will be to push to win the league, which they believe they can do. They've a settled squad and added very few additions. Can they recapture the form they ended the season with quick enough to keep in touch at the top? This game is imperative for Arsenal already.
