by Tom Allen
Liverpool were unlucky not to beat Manchester City on Sunday and it's another
huge clash this weekend at Anfield in the English top flight.
The Reds twice surrendered a lead due to sloppy defensive errors and new boss
Brendan Rodgers will have been disappointed with just a point against the
champions following the 2-2 draw.
However, after their opening thrashing against West Bromwich Albion at The
Hawthorns it was a result the Northern Irishman would have taken pre-match and
there were a number of positives to be gleaned from the performance, which saw
Luis Suarez and Martin Skrtel find the net.
Arsenal arrive in the north-west on the back of two opening goalless draws in
the Premier League, against Sunderland and Stoke, a rarity for them, and are
clearly missing former striker Robin van Persie.
It's early days, of course, but new signings Olivier Giroud and Lukas
Podolski have yet to convince they are the answer in front of goal while Theo
Walcott's future at The Emirates remains uncertain, too, with his ongoing
contract dispute yet to be resolved.
Fortunately for Gunners fans Arsenal do look very solid defensively, unlike
in recent seasons, and one strike on Sunday should be enough for them to grab at
least a share of the spoils.
With Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby providing an excellent shield in midfield
the London side look difficult to break down once more and the promotion of
former defender Steve Bould to the senior coaching staff looks to be proving a
shrewd one.
Arsene Wenger's men have a terrific recent record against Sunday's opponents,
unbeaten at Anfield in the Premier League since March 2007, and such a price
discrepancy between the two sides should not exist.
At no bigger than 11/10, Liverpool can be taken on in the match odds market
and I'd much prefer to have Arsenal and the draw on side at a similar price.
Liverpool continually found it difficult last term to put visiting teams away
in front of their own fans and Arsenal are more than capable of returning south
having added to their points tally, possibly by taking all three on offer.
2pts Back Arsenal-Draw Double Chance (vs. Liverpool) @ 8/11 (Bet
365,
Coral,
Paddy Power)
