A familiar unease has descended over the Emirates on the eve of the new Premier League season. Having once again neglected to reinforce their defence over the summer, Arsenal appear vulnerable to yet another early season slip-up. With just one win out of their last six opening day matches, statistics are not on the Gunners’ side.
The home team’s biggest weakness in recent years has been a vulnerability to the counter-attack, thanks largely to their weakness in central midfield and over-commitment to attack.
With just one win out of their last six opening day matches, statistics suggest that Arsenal could be vulnerable to yet another early season slip-up.
Liverpool’s excellent transfer window will strike fear into the hearts of the Arsenal fans. Both Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum are superb dribblers that look to pierce through the centre of the pitch at any opportunity, and so the somewhat flaky Arsenal central midfield could be brutally exposed by Liverpool’s new counter-attacking threat. Liverpool to win at 3.26* with Pinnacle looks like a valuable betting opportunity.
In two of the last three seasons Aston Villa and West Ham surprised Arsenal with victories at the Emirates on the opening day, in both instances they held firm in a narrow defensive shell before bursting forward on the counter. Liverpool will be far less cautious, but should reap similar rewards.
Arsene Wenger’s possession-centric methods appear increasingly out-dated in English football, whilst Klopp’s belief in quick, incisive passing is likely to catch out Arsenal’s less hard-working players, such as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Will Jurgen Klopp’s energetic Liverpool side ruffle some feathers against a team that, more often than not, look jaded and under-prepared in early August? Should we see a repeat of the 3-3 thriller at Anfield back in January, the draw is priced at a current 3.52.*
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*Odds subject to change
Accurate as of Aug 12, 2016