Liverpool vs Arsenal preview: How can Arteta limit Premier League’s most efficient attack – tactical analysis

Liverpool and Arsenal meet on Saturday in one of the most interesting Premier League games this weekend. Both teams will be fighting for the three points as they go out in a direct battle for third place, being now two points apart in the table.

Jürgen Klopp’s side are currently the most efficient team in attack with 31 goals, while the Londoners, who previously struggled in possession, have scored only 13 goals and are just starting to improve their attacking movement. Mohamed Salah is having an impressive campaign so far being the club’s leading goalscorer (10), while also being the player with the most assists (7).

The situation in defence, though, is quite similar for both sides as the Gunners have conceded two more goals (13) than their opponents (11) and have shown consistency with their newly looking back four. The heroic actions of the keeper Aaron Ramsdale put them in a better position defensively and the team are now unbeaten in their last eight PL games.

Liverpool on the other side were undefeated until the 11^th round when they lost in a dramatic game against West Ham and are now motivated to get back on track with a win against Mikel Arteta’s side.

Expectedly, Liverpool are the favourites as their explosive attacking actions and their balanced defence are better prepared and could easily expose Arsenal’s weaknesses. But do the Londoners have chances at all?

In this preview in the form of tactical analysis, we will examine what tactics might be successful for Arteta against Klopp in his aim to limit their attacking movement and expose their defence.

Predicted line-ups and key players

It is expected that the teams won’t look much different from their last week before the international break and the managers will make minimal changes.

Defensively, Liverpool will go out with Alisson on the goal and a back four of Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Joël Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold. In midfield, Klopp might opt for one change and replace Jordan Henderson with Thiago and again give chance to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho in the centre. The front three will consist of Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota centrally.

As per usual, the wide players will be key in Liverpool’s performance. The constant involvement of Robertson and Alexander-Arnold in attack and the team’s reliance on crossing increases their efficiency in front of the goal. The Gunners shouldn’t also underestimate Jota’s movement. It is expected that the Arsenal players will be focused on covering Mane and Salah, which would possess a great risk for them due to Jota’s technique and headed attempts.