Hi there! It’s going to be a quick preview before the Man United game. We don’t have too much to think about this month and have to just absorb the football content that keeps coming. Some geniuses of Premier League match planning have put all the title contenders playing in one time frame, instead of spreading them at least across two days. I know, there’s an idea to give all clubs some TV time, but isn’t Tottenham getting enough of it? Wouldn’t it be great to watch Newcastle – Liverpool instead?
Liverpool train
Before we talk about our lovely Arsenal, there’s no way to get around the Liverpool discussions. They trashed City despite some glimpses of hopes Arsenal fans had before the game. And it’s not only the result, it’s the way the game played out. City were helpless. They couldn’t create anything and KDB fully wasted the chance even when the ball was given directly to him for a one-on-one.
This means that City are really in pieces, they are not just downplaying their strength before court hearings (otherwise I would expect a competitive game). The team is out of control, they don’t believe in the future and they probably feel that the manager doesn’t believe in it as well. The six fingers that Guardiola has shown to the crowd are also an indication that he took the fan chants personally. If he would be confident that this form is temporary, he wouldn’t be bothered. He is though.
It’s also hard to not accept the fact that Liverpool is moving forward with the speed and power of a Thalys train. I know that fans compared their current season to the previous one under Klopp where they were leaders for a couple of months. This point of view has its own merits. However, I think this time the situation is a bit different:
1. Last year they had an 8 point lead over us shortly before we won at home and shortened it to 5. That feels a much more palpable gap that keeps the hope of a chasing team alive. Man City did the same thing to us 2 years ago. We were 6 or more points up, right before they took three points at the Emirates. This time it looks like they can maintain their gap for a long period of time, whilst we need to be perfect and believe that their fall will come sooner or later.
2. Last year the players knew Klopp was leaving – it meant that whatever happens in the season, their future over the summer was not clear. This year Liverpool players, in the likes of Gravenberch, Jones, Díaz know they play for their place in the team. They know that if they play well, they can count on progress under a new coach. Salah and VVD, whose contracts expire, play for a hefty renewal. So the motivation is a bit different.
3. By November Liverpool has already accumulated a lot of confidence beating Real, City, Chelsea. This means that they could have enough confidence if they need to deal with an injury or a red card. Now Konate and Bradley are out for a couple of weeks, but I am not sure it’s going to be a problem for the current Liverpool. Their only critical player right now is Salah, and maybe Gravenberch, who keeps their second line of defence efficient.
If Liverpool doesn’t lose points this week, I don’t see them losing points another month, until the away Forest game. Which would mean they have at least a 9 point lead (maybe more) after already 21 games. And it would be a very hard situation for us.
Arsenal – Man United clash
I don’t think there’s a team I hate more than Manchester United. There have been multiple teams that have humiliated us over the years, but the PTSD of Man United games is the strongest, because of the brutality and dirtiness they played the game with, combined with corrupt referees who let that slide. We all know the match that was an absolute disgrace for English football. I’d also say that I don’t respect any personal characters who played long for Man United. Except, maybe Beckham, who actually didn’t stay for too long there.
Despite their drop in form after Ferguson’s retirement, their games have always been a pain in the ass for us. No matter how bad they played and how deep in the table they were located. These are our matches for the recent 5 years:
Is there an easy walk there? Not really. Even in the last two seasons, when we were really good. Last season it was only an extra-time winner at the Emirates. We need to take them with the utmost seriousness. Amorim also would use this opportunity to put a statement about his skills as a coach.
I think we are in such good form that it should be enough for a motivated Man United. However, we shouldn’t make mistakes from the past and leave a shaky score until the last 15 minutes of the game. Because they will have this boost of threat coming out of nowhere as they usually do. We need to have a 2 goal lead (come the final stretch) and count on well executed counterattacks that I am not sure they can handle properly.
Wednesday personnel
Our trinity of Timber-Odegaard-Saka is crucial to make their left side suffer and in general give them something they can’t really deal with. I also expect Martinelli instead of Trossard who’s famous for giving a hard time for an opponent no matter their status. Since Leo was given a nod recently, I would really like to see a hungry Gabi who can tear opponents to pieces.
We would also really benefit very much from big Gabriel – the Brazilian gets riled up for such emotional games and he could be vital to provide an injection of aggression so much needed to cool down Man Utd’s confidence. A couple of powerful tackles, followed by Bruno’s simulation, is written somewhere in the script.
The rest of the team probably picks itself. And we should always-always remember to keep Garnacho offside. This should be a song that is passed across generations of their coaches.
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