Arsenal Vs Liverpool: 3 players who can make statement

Arsenal host Liverpool on Wednesday night with nothing to lose. Here are three players who can make a statement with a good performance.

Liverpool are the Premier League champions. They are on their way to amassing more points than any other team in history and are very much in the conversation for the greatest Premier League teams of all time. When Arsenal host the Reds on Wednesday night, it represents an almighty test for a team that is a long way from the standard that Liverpool have set throughout the season.

And so, here are three players who have the chance to make a statement with a good performance against Liverpool.

3. Kieran Tierney

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson comprise the best full-back pair in world football. You could make a strong argument that they are the best and second-best players at right or left-back in the Premier League and beyond. They are the gold standard at the position, one that Kieran Tierney is now looking to reach.

When he arrived in north London last summer, there was tentative hope that Tierney could rival his Scottish teammate as the best left-back in the Premier League. Injuries have scuppered Tierney’s ability to prove his true ability, but in recent weeks, his performances certainly suggest that he is capable of maintaining an extremely high standard.

Playing in a left wing-back role, Tierney has been superb. His delivery into the penalty area is sumptuous, he is calm and composed in possession, rarely beaten defensively, and brings a much-needed aggression and bite to a normally soft team. Now he will face the right-back in the world. Can he compete?

<p>And so, here are three players who have the chance to make a statement with a good performance <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53330142">against Liverpool</a>.</p> <div id="attachment_103125" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103125" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254864148-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Kieran Tierney" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal, Kieran Tierney (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>3. Kieran Tierney</h4> <p>Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson comprise the best full-back pair in world football. You could make a strong argument that they are the best and second-best players at right or left-back in the Premier League and beyond. They are the gold standard at the position, one that<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=kieran+tierney%22> Kieran Tierney</a> is now looking to reach.</p> <p>When he arrived in north London last summer, there was tentative hope that Tierney could rival his Scottish teammate as the best left-back in the Premier League. Injuries have scuppered Tierney’s ability to prove his true ability, but in recent weeks, his performances certainly suggest that he is capable of maintaining an extremely high standard.</p> <p>Playing in a left wing-back role, Tierney has been superb. His delivery into the penalty area is sumptuous, he is calm and composed in possession, rarely beaten defensively, and brings a much-needed aggression and bite to a normally soft team. Now he will face the right-back in the world. Can he compete?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Dani Ceballos </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103517" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103517" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1163747652-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal and Fabinho of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on August 24, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>2. Dani Ceballos</h4> <p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=dani+ceballos%22>Dani Ceballos’</a> best performance of the season was still his debut. Looking like a prime Santi Cazorla, he ran rings around Burnely as he dictated the game entirely, spinning his way through a midfield that entirely ran through his twinkling toes.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>A week later, there was excitement to see Ceballos against the best in the league, Liverpool. Playing in a midfield diamond, Ceballos produced his worst performance of the season. The added mobility of the Liverpool midfield left the Spaniard chasing shadows. He rarely got close to the ball, struggled to deal with the high press when he did get on the ball, and looked short of the necessary athleticism and physicality to play in the Premier League.</p> <p>Since those opening two games, Ceballos’ inconsistency has continued to plague him. His talent is undeniable, and there are noticeable performances littered throughout the year that illustrate what he is capable of when confident and firing. However, there are plenty of poor performances that undermine his overall value, too.</p> <p>Now, against the team that exposed his immobility, can Ceballos, who has been excellent in recent outings, prove that he can perform against an athletically brilliant central midfield trio? It would be a real statement if he could.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Nicolas Pepe </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103516" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103516" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1164456073-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool and Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on August 24, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>1. Nicolas Pepe</h4> <p>It was<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=nicolas+pepe%22> Nicolas Pepe’s</a> first start. Unai Emery switched to a 4-4-2 diamond and introduced Pepe as a second striker alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The plan was clear: to isolate Pepe and Aubameyang against the Liverpool centre-backs, who are left on their own on the halfway line with Jurgen Klopp’s side push forward.</p> <p>Pepe’s pace and skill frightened the Liverpool defenders. Andy Robertson did not want to get close to him, even Virgil van Dijk was troubled at times, while he showed his ball-carrying ability with several excellent dribbles from deep, including one that he should have converted with a better finish.</p> <p>His first season at Arsenal has since transpired in an understated fashion. His numbers are not as disastrous as some would think. Equally, he has not lived up to his £72 million price tag and could do with a statement performance.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Liverpool: 5 key players to watch" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/14/arsenal-vs-liverpool-5-key-players-watch-granit-xhakas-test/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-vs-liverpool-3-players-can-make-statement/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/14/arsenal-vs-liverpool-5-key-players-watch-granit-xhakas-test/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Liverpool: 5 key players to watch </a> </div> </div> <p>What better way for Pepe to tie a bow on an encouraging first season in the Premier League than a stormer against the champions?</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">