Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates this weekend in a mouth-watering clash which could really solidify the notion that they’re here to stay in the Premier League title race. The Gunners have already picked up 21 points from a possible 24 this season, which included a 3-1 win over rivals Tottenham last weekend. That was a statement result that added real weight to the belief that Arteta’s side could potentially challenge for the title this season.
Arteta would have watched Liverpool with interest this week as they took on Rangers in the Champions League and there was a major tactical switch Klopp made in that 2-0 win which could be something the Arsenal manager can look to expose this weekend. In their most recent Premier League match, a 3-3 draw with Brighton, Liverpool struggled for control throughout, as they have for much of the campaign so far. They particularly looked poor defensively, which persuaded Klopp to switch from his favoured 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 against Rangers.
The 4-4-2 has many benefits, it has a solid defensive line, attacking width, and also can quickly allow teams to get into a compact defensive shape without the ball which makes them tough to play through. That latter point will be vital to helping players like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Rather than having to fire out at opponents and running the risk of arriving late, the England right-back can defend deeper in a bank of four and closer to his right-sided centre-back. The formation also allows for two strikers, meaning centre-backs are having to deal with two central threats, rather than one.