Lacazette and Sanchez can be a dream duo for Gunners
ALEXIS CAN ADD BITE
TOMORROW could be the first time Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette start together and I can’t wait to see what they do. Players like these are why Arsene Wenger gets up in the morning. All his training sessions are geared for the team to be as creative as possible and he will want the attacking trio of Lacazette, Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to gel. When I first saw Sanchez playing for Chile at the 2014 World Cup, he reminded me of Ian Rush. He is Arsenal’s first line of defence — as soon as the defenders have the ball, he is straight down their throats. Arsenal also have a ruthless finisher in Lacazette. Although his goal was chalked off for offside, I was impressed with how he finished at Stoke. It reminded me of how Ian Wright used to do it. Thierry Henry was more graceful but Wright was like a marksman. These two can give Arsenal a real cutting edge at Anfield.
FOCAL POINT FIRMINO
ROBERTO FIRMINO is so graceful when he plays it is almost like watching a dancer. It’s as if he is wearing headphones and playing to music. Everything looks choreographed. He is now the trusty player that Liverpool use to build attacks. Sadio Mane’s electric pace creates the space for Firmino to work his magic. It was noticeable last season that
Firmino (below) was far less effective when Mane did not play as defenders were able to get far tighter to him. Mo Salah gives their attack another quality option. He is an intelligent player capable of moments of brilliance. I love that darting run he makes, coming in off the right on to his left foot. Liverpool still have Adam Lallana to return from injury and, if Philippe Coutinho stays at the club, they can be a real force this season.
WHO CAN KEEP IT TIGHT?
BOTH teams boast explosive attacks but for them to be effective, their teams must stay in the game long enough to win it. Arsenal have lost the defensive solidarity that helped them win nine of their final 10 games last season. They played two full backs in their back three at Stoke and Nacho Monreal cannot play as the central defender. Having Laurent Koscielny back is a huge plus. With Monreal to his left and Shkodran Mustafi to his right, Arsenal will have a better balance. Liverpool also have a big weakness — they’ve been caught out defending crosses. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are loping centre halves and the pace of Sanchez and Lacazette could hurt them. Both defences will be under pressure from formidable attacks.
WHO’S GOING TO WIN?
I CANNOT see Arsenal winning. With Sanchez only just back to fitness, Liverpool’s front line is in better shape. Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012. A point would be a good result for Arsenal and I can see this ending 2-2.