Being more careful with money is always a popular New Year’s resolution and one which Brendan Rogers will have to keep if he is to remain as Liverpool manager.
His summer signings have been underwhelming at best and thus Liverpool’s chances of winning that elusive Premier League title have long fizzled out. The fans have kept some semblance of patience thus far, but a poor run of results over the Christmas could spell the end of his particular ‘philosophy.’
Arsenal fans will hope their side’s purse strings are firmly open in January. Arsene Wenger’s failure to sign significant cover for his defence and a decent defensive midfielder has cost the Gunners this season.
That being said, they entered this weekend within touching distance of a Champions League place, while Liverpool are languishing in eleventh place. In truth, both sides would have expected better.
But as American author Zig Ziglar said: “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce back that counts.” The ‘Pool’s hopes of bouncing are dependent on finding a way to find the net.
They have only conceded two more goals than the Gunners in the league this season as both sides have struggled defensively. However, Arsenal have been able to paint over the cracks somewhat by scoring nine more league goals than the Merseysiders.
Of course, Daniel Sturridge’s fitness problems have played a huge part. But Mario Balotelli’s lack of positional awareness, Ricky Lambert’s inability to be anything other than ‘the classic number nine’ and the fact that Raheem Sterling is not a striker have all been telling.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have had Alexis Sanchez. Or, as he is also known, ‘Suarez without the baggage’. They also have a fit-again Oliver Giroud and an in-form Santi Cazorla.
Defensive problems are what these sides have in common; attacking prowess is what sets Arsenal apart. So we’re backing the Gunners to out-gun the hosts by a scoreline of three goals to one with Santi Cazorla getting the opener.
This pays at a price of 100/1.
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