Can Tie of the Round Spark FA Cup Fever?

Arsenal vs Liverpool

What a difference a week can make!

Just 10 days ago Arsenal were top of the Premier League and had just drawn at rivals Liverpool to leave them at the summit, in front of both the Merseysiders and reigning champions Manchester City and Aston Villa.

A home defeat to West Ham was duly followed, less than 72 hours later by a reverse at Fulham, and suddenly the Gunners were clinging onto fourth spot.

This weekend’s FA Cup third round provides the opportunity to make a return to winning ways and shake off a miserable end to 2023 which is threatening to derail their title ambitions.

Talking Points

As the most successful team in the competition’s history, it’s fair to say Arsenal have had their fair share of FA Cup highlights over the years.

Victory in this tie will not only provide some more but could provide a boon for what is clearly a big month for the club.

What last week’s back-to-back defeats have shown is that they probably need to strengthen at both ends of the pitch.

Against West Ham they managed to fluff their lines, losing 2-0 despite having 75-per cent possession, 30 shots and eight on target.

They were less than impressive against Fulham and both games indicated why they may lack a proven goalscorer.

Gabriel Jesus is a wonderful player but not necessarily an out-and-out striker, while Eddie Nketiah is potentially one for the future.

The Gunners have been strongly linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who is due to return from his eight-month betting ban, although two factors might stand in their way.

First, the price tag may be out of the Gunners’ reach and, second, the Bees might try to persuade their man to stay in an attempt to arrest their slide down the league table.

Arsenal could turn their attention to Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, who is showing signs of developing into a top class Premier League striker, scoring 12 goals and currently chasing down Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.

At the other end of the pitch, they are reportedly also looking for reinforcements in defence, and are said to be tracking Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.

They had extremely bad luck when summer signing Jurrien Timber sustained a season-ending injury on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Both clubs will be without players on international duty this weekend.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has quietly impressed this term and the Japan international defender will miss at least five games if they reach the Asian Cup final.

Mohamed Elneny (Egypt) has departed for the African Cup of Nations, although Thomas Partey has not been selected by Ghana because he is injured.

Liverpool have lost their talisman for the tournament in Mohamed Salah (Egypt), currently joint top in the Premier League scoring charts.

Midfielder Wataru Endo (Japan) has also left for the Asian Cup.

While those players will be missed, both squads have the depth to ensure there will be strong starting XIs.

After the past fortnight, though, the onus is firmly on Arsenal.

History

There is quite a history between these two English greats.

After dominating the English football landscape for 15 years in the 1970s and the 1980s, it was actually Arsenal who triggered the start of Liverpool’s decline with an unforgettable title-clinching victory at Anfield – one of two in three years in the late 80s/early 1990s as the Gunners were crowned top dogs twice in three years.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has largely had the edge in this fixture since he was appointed boss in October 2015, including five wins in the last nine.

Not last season though as Arsenal won a five goal thriller in North London before drawing 2-2 on Merseyside.

A Bukayo Saka double, following Gabriel Martinelli’s opener, fired them to a 3-2 success at the Emirates.

A 2-2 draw in the return fixture may normally have been considered a good return but it was a game in which the Gunners first ceded their advantage in the title race.

They lost their composure and were pegged back in a 2-2 draw which sparked a run of four games without a win and just two victories in eight.

Overall, Liverpool have 94 wins compared to Arsenal’s 82 victories and 64 draws.

Betting Tip

Arsenal are favourites to repeat their success from the last time the teams met in this competition which, amazingly, is a decade ago.

The Gunners are priced 1X2 @ 2.03 with the SBOTOP FA Cup betting odds, while Liverpool are out @ 2.80, while the draw is on offer @ 3.45.

It is similar with Asian Handicap as the hosts are available -0.50 @ 2.04 and the Merseysiders +0.25 @ 2.05.

A repeat of their 1-1 draw from a fortnight ago will pay out @ 6.20 with Correct Score.

Apart from a couple of goalless draws in the League Cup in recent years, 2015 was the last time both sides failed to score which may affect your thinking when studying options such as Under 2.75 goals @ 1.96, Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.90, 2-3 @ 1.89 and 4-6 @ 2.89.

At this stage it is hard to say how strong the starting XIs respective managers Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp will select, but I do think the North Londoners’ desire for a boost will see them edge this tie.

 

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