1 Nov 2013

Forget Ozil & Ramsey! - Nicol insists LFC's midfield is 'better' than Arsenal's. Agree...?

Liverpool face a tough trip to the Emirates this weekend to play Premier League leaders Arsenal, and with the likes Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil in brilliant form for the Gunners, it's going to be extremely difficult for the Reds to win the game. Anfield legend Steve Nicol is unfazed by the challenge, however, and he's convinced that Liverpool will win the match.

Discussing the game on ESPN last night, Nicol observed:

"Liverpool will do it this weekend (against Arsenal).

"With Suarez and Sturridge, they’re absolutely unstoppable, and this is going to be a real test for Arsenal".


Nicol also dismissed the possibility of Arsenal winning the midfield battle. He noted:

"The battle will be won in the middle of the field. Liverpool have better chemistry than Arsenal with Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson, and when those three come out on top against the Arsenal midfield, it’s a win for Liverpool".

Mathieu Flamini will miss the game this weekend, which means Arsenal's midfield three will probably comprise of Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, and Mikel Arteta/Aaron Ramsey.

Is Nicol right? Does a midfield three of Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson have 'better chemistry'? I'm not so sure. In most games this season, Liverpool's midfield has gone to pieces in the second half of games, and if that happens against Arsenal, the likes of Ozil, Ramsay, Cazorla et al will have a field day.

One area in which Arsenal's midfield is massively superior right now is goals/goal creation. This season, NONE of LFC's midfielders have scored any goals from open play, and Lucas/Gerrard/Hendo have managed a paltry two league assists between them all season.

Arsenal's figure is significantly higher, and when you add Ramsey's goals/assists into the mix, it's clear that the Gunners' midfield is far more effective when it comes to scoring/creating goals.

If Suarez and Sturridge continue their great form then one or both will score goals, but if they have an off day (like the recent Southampton game), it's hard to see where Liverpool's goals will come from. Conversely, Arsenal are currently scoring from all areas of the pitch.


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