Jason Cundy has predicted that Arsenal will get something from the massive Premier League game with Liverpool on Saturday evening.
It’s a top-of-the-table clash, albeit after just two games of the season, and Arsenal and Liverpool are the only two sides with a 100% record intact.
Talking on Drive Time (talkSPORT, Friday, 4pm), Cundy said that Liverpool had issues despite their winning start and that it was a good time for Arsenal to visit Anfield.
“I don’t think Arsenal are going to get beaten,” said Cundy.
“There are one or two issues at Liverpool right now. It’s a good time to play Liverpool. Arsenal look quite stable and I expect Arsenal to get something from the game.”
Issues at Anfield?
Cundy seems to be basing his verdict on the fact that Liverpool haven’t kept a clean sheet this season after boasting the best defence in the league last campaign.
They didn’t dominate against Southampton and should have conceded more goals against Norwich.
However, they did play a gruelling 120-minute Super Cup final against Chelsea and it seems way too early to say they have issues.
The bookies don’t feel the same way as Cundy. They’ve got Liverpool as short as 1/2 to pick up their third successive win on Saturday, with Arsenal as big as 11/2 to keep their 100% record going. The draw comes in around 4/1.
Historic stats are on Liverpool’s side too. They’re unbeaten in their last eight games against Arsenal and the Gunners haven’t won at Anfield in their last six visits. They’ve conceded at least two goals in those six games.
Other pundits have been pretty unanimous in their verdicts too, with Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Mark Lawrenson all going for a home win.
Key battle – Aubameyang v van Dijk
Three players shared the Golden Boot last season and all three should be on the Anfield pitch tomorrow.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang for Arsenal scored 22 goals in the league and they should help maintain the fixture’s status as the highest-scoring in the Premier League.
The most fascinating battle is Virgil van Dijk, arguably the best centre-back in the world, and Aubameyang.
The Arsenal striker could be given a boost if Nicolas Pepe starts for the first time in the league. And while van Dijk is fast for his size, Aubameyang has him for pure pace.
On the flipside, van Dijk is stronger and is renowned for his positioning and snubbing out any potential problems. The winner of this battle could dictate whether Arsenal get anything from the game.