Gunners and Reds both set to look extremely strong next term following summer business…
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Liverpool bettered Arsenal last term in the Premier League, finishing two places above the Gunners in second place – battering the Gunners 5-1 at Anfield to boot.
This summer though, Arsenal have acquired Alexis Sanchez for £35m, and are set to bring in a host of new players to complement the Chilean sensation.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have sold their best player in Luis Suarez – but are likely to reinvest the money straight back into the side ahead of next season’s Champions League push.
Here’s how the sides could potentially line up next term, and where each will be strongest.
Interestingly, we’d choose only four Liverpool players from these potential XIs, and seven from Arsenal – although the Reds team cohesion under Brendan Rodgers last season was sensational – and could more than make up for this.
GK)
Arsenal: Wojciech Szcesny
Liverpool: Simon Mignolet
Neither ‘keeper is notably stronger than his rival, but Arsenal’s Pole had a better campaign last time out, with Mignolet making some high profile blunders around Christmas time.
Vote: Szczesny
DR)
Arsenal: Mathieu Debuchy
Liverpool: Glen Johnson
The Gunners are imminently signing Frenchman Debuchy, who is quicker than Johnson, and more combative defensively. Johnson is the better technician, and in Jon Flanagan, Liverpool have a talented youngster coming through the ranks – so we prefer their options for the right of defence.
Vote: Johnson
DC)
Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny
Liverpool: Mamadou Sakho
France boss Didier Deschamps rates Sakho above Koscielny, but most Premier League fans would ardently disagree having seen the pair perform last season. Sakho has huge potential to develop into a top centre-back, but Koscielny is the most consistent and reliable right now.
Vote: Koscielny
DC)
Arsenal: Per Mertesacker
Liverpool: Dejan Lovren
Mertesacker and Koscielny are a ready made, established partnership – which potentially gives them the edge over Liverpool, who are expected to bring in a new centre-back to partner Sakho after conceding 50 Premier League goals last term. Southampton’s Lovren is the favourite, although he’ll cost £25m. Lovren is considerably faster than Mertesacker, whose pace (or lack of it) could be a real weakness in the Arsenal back-line.
Vote: Lovren
DL)
Arsenal: Kieran Gibbs
Liverpool: Alberto Moreno
Liverpool are on the verge of tying up a deal for the 21-year-old Spanish international, who has the potential to develop into one of the best left-backs in Europe. Arsenal have Gibbs and Nacho Monreal – both of whom have Premier League experience, and provide Wenger with excellent rotation options. Depending on the success of Moreno (if he is actually signed), Arsenal will be more confident with the left-back spot at the moment – although Moreno could eventually top both Gibbs and Monreal.
Vote: Gibbs
DMC)
Arsenal: Sami Khedira
Liverpool: Steven Gerrard
If Arsenal sign Khedira for £23m from Real Madrid, they’ll have an anchoring midfielder to match and possibly even better Liverpool’s talismanic captain. Gerrard though was brilliant last season, and his leadership qualities and experience – combined with his range of passing from deep – still make him one of the best in the business.
Vote: Gerrard
MC)
Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey
Liverpool: Jordan Henderson
Henderson’s work-rate makes him invaluable for Liverpool, but if it hadn’t been for injuries, Arsenal’s Ramsey could well have won the Premier League Player of the Year award last season. Ramsey provides less defensive work-rate than Henderson, but scores and assists plenty more goals.
Vote: Ramsey
AMR)
Arsenal: Theo Walcott
Liverpool: Lazar Markovic
While imminent £20m signing Markovic is extremely talented, Walcott began to prove before his injury last season that he’s one of the very best in the business – providing consistent goals and assists from the right, and scaring teams with his incomparable pace. Markovic is less direct, and will surely take time to adapt to the Premier League anyway.
Vote: Walcott
AMC)
Arsenal: Mesut Ozil
Liverpool: Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s showing huge, huge promise – and if he fulfils his ability, he could become a genuinely world-class player. Ozil however, is already there, and now has a World Cup winners medal to prove it. Expect the German to truly find his Premier League feet this time around.
Vote: Ozil
AML)
Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez
Liverpool: Adam Lallana
Arsenal bought Sanchez for £35m, and Liverpool signed Lallana for £25m. The Chilean is the far more exhilarating signing, although Lallana will likely benefit the Liverpool squad. If Liverpool sign Marco Reus though, as rumoured, the German will likely play this role for the Reds – and appease fans following the Suarez sale. For now though, Sanchez pips it for us.
Vote: Sanchez
FC)
Arsenal: Olivier Giroud
Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool have lost Suarez, but their main striker Sturridge is quicker than Giroud, a better finisher, and far more exciting. Arsenal fans would swap their Frenchman for England’s no.9 in a heartbeat.
Vote: Sturridge
