Arsenal/Liverpool Combined XI

Silly Season have compiled a dream team from both team’s squads

The heavyweight Premier League clash of the weekend comes from the Emirates as Arsenal take on Liverpool on the Monday Night Football.

The visitors have taken maximum points from their opening two matches, following back to back 1-0 wins, whilst the Gunners recovered from their shock defeat to West Ham, with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Now they are back at home to face a Liverpool side, who have only won once in North London in 15 years.

The last time these sides met back in April, Arsenal thumped Brendan Rodgers‘ side 4-1, having been 3-0 up at half time.

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Arsenal/Liverpool Combined XI – Formation: 4-2-3-1

As we build up to the big game, we have put together an ultimate combined XI. And here it is our formation:

GOALKEEPER – PETR CECH (ARSENAL)

There wasn’t too much debate in this one. Simon Mignolet has become much more consistent between the sticks in recent months for Liverpool, but certainly isn’t in Cech’s class.

Despite making a big mistake on his debut against West Ham, Cech will surely prove a success at Arsenal.

His experience, shot stopping and commanding presence on the field, and the dressing room means that he has to be in this team.

RIGHT BACK- NATHANIEL CLYNE (LIVERPOOL)

This was an extremely difficult choice between Clyne and Hector Bellerin. Mathieu Debuchy played in Arsenal’s first game, but it seems Bellerin has overtaken him and Calum Chambers as Arsenal’s first choice right back.

Both Bellerin and Clyne are fantastic going forward, providing crosses and overlaps, and are lightning quick.

Bellerin scored a cracking opening goal in that meeting of the two teams earlier this year, cutting inside on his left foot.

But Clyne pips it for us, mainly on his tough tackling, and arguably superior defensive prowess.

CENTRE BACK- MARTIN SKRTEL (LIVERPOOL)

Skrtel vs Per Mertesacker was another tough one, because both can have their off days. But Skrtel is arguably the better out and out defender, and is certainly quicker and more mobile than Mertesacker.

The big German does strike up a fantastic partnership with Laurent Koscielny, which caused the dilemma whether to keep them together.

However Skrtel won out.

CENTRE BACK- LAURENT KOSCIELNY (ARSENAL)

The other centre back slot is filled by Laurent Koscielny, who is certainly a massive player if Arsenal have realistic title aspirations.

Dejan Lovren has been far too inconsistent in his short Liverpool career, and it remains to be seen whether he can show his Southampton form in his second season at Anfield.

We had no qualms in selecting Koscielny for this one.

LEFT BACK- NACHO MONREAL (ARSENAL)

Monreal continues to be preferred to Kieran Gibbs as Arsene Wenger’s number one left back, and his experience and skill gives him a place in our combined XI.

Joe Gomez has so far looked remarkably confident and at ease for an 18 year old, who had never played a Premier League game before.

Credit must go to him for his fearless attitude, and Brendan Rodgers for blooding him in from the start.

Rodgers may play Alberto Moreno on Monday as a more experienced player, but Gomez deserves to remain in the team.

Monreal is the winner here though.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD- JORDAN HENDERSON (LIVERPOOL)

Henderson and James Milner are pretty similar in their style, and after some deliberation, it was between Henderson and Coquelin for the first CDM position.

The Frenchman Coquelin proved to be very important to Arsenal last year, but Henderson’s runs from midfield, and all round game gives him the edge here. The proud Mackem is relishing his new responsibility as captain, taking over from the legendary Steven Gerrard.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD- SANTI CAZORLA (ARSENAL)

Alongside Henderson, we’ve gone for some Spanish flair with Cazorla. He has proved doubters wrong by playing in a more disciplined role in the Arsenal midfield, with the licence to get forward on occasion to create chances.

In the Gunners break through win away at Manchester City last season, we saw the real best in Cazorla in a faultless display.

Cazorla starts over Milner, who can count himself a wee bit unlucky, having looked assured so far in a Liverpool shirt.

 RIGHT WINGER- ALEXIS SANCHEZ (ARSENAL)

Sanchez has looked a little rusty in the first couple of matches, but that’s understandable considering his involvement in the Chile team that won this summer’s Copa America.

But what a player the 26 year old is. And he’ll be looking to contribute as he did in this fixture last season, where he scored a stunning long range goal to beat Simon Mignolet.

Adam Lallana struggled to hit the ground running in his first season at Anfield, and is no match for Alexis.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER- PHILIPPE COUTINHO (LIVERPOOL)

In the front three, we’ve done a bit of tinkering of positions, mainly to get the Brazilian Coutinho in there because it would be criminal to leave him out.

He has become Liverpool’s match winner as he proved scoring the decisive goal against Stoke with a wonder strike.

Coutinho has stepped up to the plate as the Reds’ main attacking threat since the departure of Luis Suarez, and will be aiming for 20 goals this season.

It was too close between Mesut Ozil and Coutinho so we’ve managed to fit them both in.

LEFT WINGER- MESUT OZIL (ARSENAL)

Ozil put in a man of the match performance against Crystal Palace, and the German World Cup winner thoroughly deserves to play in this starting XI.

Since arriving from Real Madrid for £42.5 million, he hasn’t quite hit the heights in terms of replicating the number of assists he made in La Liga.

But he is still a class act, so good to watch, and a vital player for Arsene Wenger’s side. For Arsenal to go close to winning the title though, he needs more goals and assists this season.

STRIKER- OLIVIER GIROUD (ARSENAL)

This was a little tough because both aren’t world beaters, and certainly Arsenal fans have been crying out for Wenger to sign a top class centre forward, such as Karim Benzema.

But I think we do underestimate Giroud. He will score goals, he holds the ball up and has a wand of a left foot.

Benteke netted his first goal for Liverpool on Monday, and is hoping for a big season to propel his side into the top four.

Giroud gets the nod here though.

 

So there we go here’s our formidable combined XI in full:

PETR CECH; NATHANIEL CLYNE; MARTIN SKRTEL; LAURENT KOSCIELNY; NACHO MONREAL; JORDAN HENDERSON; SANTI CAZORLA; ALEXIS SANCHEZ; PHILIPPE COUTINHO; MESUT OZIL; OLIVIER GIROUD

What do you think of our selections? Think you could do better? Write your changes and your team in the comments section below.

Written by Joseph Richardson