Liverpool’s 3-5-2 formation is very interesting. I quite like the idea on paper. It allows two strikers yet still have the ability to match packed midfields. It is probably a system that suits playing us at present because of our lack of genuine wide players due to injury. Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski and now Gnabry will all miss the game. I wonder if Arsene will consider using Nacho Monreal in place of Gibbs. Not because of ability but down to the fact that Monreal tends to attack the wide areas where as Gibbs likes to cut inside. Monreal has been impressive in recent cameo appearances and his 90 minutes midweek.

It’s the big one today, well one of a few big games for Arsenal but this is the one game where we really must not lose. I wrote in my last blog post about why it might be best we abandon our natural game and go all Jose Mourinho and park the bus just until we get our attacking outlets back in the team again from injury.

That said, if the squad are looking sharper and fresher in training after most of them have had a midweek break due to the league cup rotation, we might just see something resembling our best football again. We have not hit the heights of that first half display against Napoli a few weeks back and have done enough in bursts to beat our opponents until Dortmund and Chelsea. With the level of opponent increasing Our football will have to also if we are to keep collecting points. Whether that be keeping clean sheets or creating and scoring goals.

Liverpool have started the season exceptionally well, they have dispatched of the midtable sides such as *Manchester United and West Brom but like us, have yet to face the best teams in the league. My worry is that they are better prepared for this game than we are. I have read a few of the LFC forums and they seem bang up for this one. Liverpool haven’t had as many games, they are not missing key players and they are full of confidence beating West Brom very well. Also the home pressure and nerves will not be there for them.

I don’t have the best feeling about this one but often that is down to the importance of the match. I am hoping that I am being utterly irrational. We will have an abundance of creative players on the pitch and if the team can start positively without the handbrake then the home crowd will push the team on. I fear for a tentative start because we know that the Emirates crowd are not known for instilling confidence into a nervy looking side.

Liverpool’s 3-5-2 formation is very interesting. I quite like the idea on paper. It allows two strikers yet still have the chance to match 5 in midfield against other teams. It is probably a system that suits playing us at present because of our lack of genuine wide players due to injury. Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski and now Gnabry will all miss the game. I wonder if Arsene will consider using Nacho Monreal in place of Gibbs. Not because of ability but down to the fact that Monreal tends to attack the wide areas where as Gibbs likes to cut inside. Monreal has been impressive in recent cameo appearances and his 90 minute display midweek was one of our bright spots on the night.

Jack Wilshere is supposedly suffering another ankle problem if Goal.com is to be believed and will not take part today so it may mean that Tomas Rosicky could play from the right behind Giroud. I would prefer that him in that position than Jack.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Missing wide men aside, I quite like the look of that. Flamini’s industry may well be missed with Gerrard and eventually Coutinho looking to find spaces behind their strikers.

It doesn’t need to be said that our central defenders will have a game on their hands. Koscielny will need to make sure he times his tackles to perfection on Suarez in the box and Mertesacker will have to be at his positional best.

Soccerbase

Don’t forget to check out http://www.soccerbase.com for the latest match odds. Santi Cazorla has yet to score this season. He scored his first Arsenal goal against Liverpool last season so maybe, just maybe.

It’s gonna be tough but if we start quickly and shut Liverpool down in midfield then there is no reason why we cannot score that first all important goal.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

* I fully expect Manchester United to surge up the table and get closer to a title fight than a fight for just top four. So I have only a small window to mock, while that window is open I will continue.