ARSENAL HOST LIVERPOOL in this evening’s eagerly anticipated Monday Night Football clash at the Emirates Stadium.
There will be a wealth of talent on show in North London as both sides look to seize the early initiative in the race for the top four.
Both sides are brimming with quality and on paper it looks quite an even contest but who would make it into an Arsenal-Liverpool combined XI?
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech (Arsenal) – Cech hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to his Arsenal career but he gets the nod ahead of Simon Mignolet here.
Mignolet has yet to concede a goal this term but Cech remains one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.
Defence
Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) - Liverpool’s summer recruit is in at right-back and his selection is a no-brainer. A £12 million signing from Southampton, Clyne has already showed why he’s regarded as one of the finest defenders in the league with a couple of impressive performances for the Reds.
That said, Hector Bellerin’s stock continues to rise and he’s established himself as first choice ahead of Mathieu Debuchy. The Frenchman isn’t the finished product just yet though.
Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) - The World Cup winner can look vulnerable at times, particularly against strikers that like to run in behind but he’s far steadier than Martin Skrtel.
Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) – The French international is one of Arsenal’s most reliable performers and although Mamadou Sakho has emerged as arguably Brendan Rodgers’ best defender, Koscienly has proved his enduring worth.
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) – Monreal is in at left-back purely because 18-year-old Joe Gomez has only played a handful of first-team games. The Spaniard does little to inspire confidence but he’s emerged as Wenger’s only really option.
Midfield
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) – There are plenty of options here but Henderson remains one of the most consistent performers in the top-flight. The new Liverpool captain is a bundle of energy and while Ramsey is more dangerous going forward, Henderson’s level of performance rarely dips from game-to-game.
His influence on this Liverpool side cannot be understated and he’s already played a pivotal role in the Reds’ start to the season, providing an assist against Bournemouth.
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) - Both sides are well stocked in midfield and it makes this decision difficult. James Milner is one of the most underrated midfielders in the league but with Henderson already in the side, Cazorla would bring an added bit of flair and creativity.
Cazorla often drops a bit deeper than a typical creative midfielder and is an extremely intelligent footballer who can unlock defences at will.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) – An embarrassment of riches going forward and Coutinho is undoubtedly Liverpool’s best player – technically speaking anyway. The Brazilian possesses the ability to produce a moment of brilliance, as evidenced by his winning goal against Stoke on the opening day of the season.
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) – The German has started the season in fine form and looks to have rediscovered his confidence after a mixed year last time out. Ozil naturally plays between the lines and finds pockets of space to bring others into the game and create openings for team-mates.
Forwards
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) – Sanchez is the best player at either club. Enough said.
Christian Benteke (Liverpool) – We’ve gone for the Belgian ahead of Olivier Giroud here purely because he’s started the season brightly. Both are very similar strikers – good in the air, imposing, strong, quick and technically sound but Benteke just gets the nod.
Arsenal-Liverpool combined XI: Cech, Clyne, Koscienly, Mertesacker, Monreal, Henderson, Cazorla, Coutinho, Ozil, Sanchez, Benteke.
Do you agree? Who would you have in your team?
