Arsenal and Liverpool face their toughest tests so far this season on Monday night as they go head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash. The importance of laying down an early-season marker against a potential title rival will not be lost on either club, with both sides more motivated than ever before to get off to a flying start this campaign.
The poor opening to last season that Arsenal endured will still be fresh in the minds of everybody connected with the club. It took four games to drop as many points (six) as the eventual Champions Chelsea had conceded after 14 matches. With Manchester City, in particular, already looking to set a blistering pace, the Gunners will be well-aware of the importance that even the first few matches have on setting the tone for the rest of the season.
The frailties that Arsenal demonstrated in the defeat against West Ham on the opening weekend of the season seemed to act as a much-needed wake-up call in last Sunday's win over Crystal Palace, but the visit of Liverpool should prove a much tougher proposition. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will become genuine title contenders but this match, as well as the trip to Stamford Bridge on September 19, will provide an idea of how much the club have improved since this time last year.
For Liverpool, the painful memories of last season won't be easily forgotten, despite an encouraging start to this campaign. It was the crushing nature of the 4-1 defeat suffered at the Emirates Stadium in April which largely set the tone for the club's poor form in the last quarter of the season. Brendan Rodgers will be looking for the same response from his players that they showed on the opening weekend at Stoke, the scene of Liverpool's heaviest defeat for 52 years in May. A good result on Monday would at least serve as a further indication that the club is moving in the right direction.
If Liverpool are to win on Monday, it will be crucial that the defensive resilience they displayed in both their opening matches is replicated. Key to achieving that goal will be Martin Skrtel, whose leadership and organisational skills will surely be tested against the aerial ability of Olivier Giroud, trickery of Alexis Sanchez and pace on Theo Walcott. Chances may be few and far between, so it will be essential that Christian Benteke is as clinical in front of goal as he has been since the beginning of March, when his run of 13 goals in 15 matches started.
For Arsenal, it is imperative that Christian Benteke has a quiet game, so the role played by Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in keeping him in check will be vital. There are match-winners throughout the Arsenal team, but nobody offers a greater threat than Alexis Sanchez, who reportedly turned down a move to Anfield before scoring 25 times for the Gunners last season. He showed glimpses last weekend that he's close to finding to his best form after a late return to pre-season, having helped Chile win the Copa America.
Liverpool's recent away record against Arsenal has been disappointing, having recorded only one victory in the past 19 matches in all competitions. In the last 20 games played away from the capital, the Gunners have won seven times at Anfield to Liverpool's six, with both teams winning a match at the Millennium Stadium. The form book over the past 15 seasons certainly favours Arsenal, but it was only 18 months ago that Liverpool inflicted a 5-1 defeat on their opponents so they will be well-aware of the task that awaits them on Monday.
Both teams have strong squads to pick from ahead of the game, with only Danny Welbeck, Thomas Rosicky (both knee) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) remaining unavailable for Arsene Wenger's side. Captain Jordan Henderson is a doubt for Liverpool, having been substituted after 52 minutes against Bournemouth last Monday with a knee injury, and his fitness is being monitored ahead of the game. Joe Allen is unlikely to feature, having missed both matches this season with a hamstring injury, whilst Danny Sturridge (hip) and Jon Flanagan (knee) are also out.
Score Prediction:
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool.