Welcome to Arsenal Commentary Box.
Round of 16.
Clearly, Liverpool look like the favorites to win the contest due to their power packed front-line of Salah, Mane and Firmino. Though, Salah might not feature in the lineup tomorrow due to the injury he suffered against tottenham. It must be one positive thing for the underdogs Arsenal.
Arsenal head into this match after their frustrating draw against Crystal Palace slipping up a 2-0 lead after Sokratis and Luiz had scored in the early minutes for Arsenal. Fans have been calling on to bring in the creative playmaker Mesut Ozil who has been frozen out of the team this season. He last started against Watford in a 2-2 draw and he was substituted after 71 minutes of the game. There was a video going viral showing Ozil and Arsenal head coach Emery arguing in the training ground. This further speculated that Ozil might consider leaving the club in the January transfer window for the MLS side DC United.
However, Ozil voiced out stating he has a contract until 2021 and mentioned he has no intention of leaving the club and will see out his contract. Ozil also believes that Emery might get sacked midway through the season and hence, he is not in a rush to decide his future club.
There has been an other situation Arsenal Football Club have been facing in the form of club captain Granit Xhaka. Xhaka had a bad game against Crystal Palace and he told the home fans to f**k off when he was booed during the substitution. He foulmouthed and removed his shirt while entering the tunnel and fans have been demanding an apology from the captain for his actions. Even club legends Ian Wright, Emmanuel Petit have blasted Xhaka for his actions and have gone public insisting Xhaka is not fit to be the captain of the club.
Xhaka is yet to issue a statement regarding the incident and other players like Bellerin, Cabellos have come in support for Xhaka insisting players are normal human beings and they have emotions too. They have urged the fans to stay behind the club and their captain. It is believed that Xhaka might not play in the match against Liverpool due to his current mental conditions and Emery has confirmed the same. It is also doubtful that Xhaka might not wear the captain armband for remainder of the season. Aubamayeang or Lacazatte might replace him as captain of the club.
Another loss against Liverpool will pile pressure on Emery and he may face the sack very earlier than expected. Fans are not happy with the current situation of the club and another season without champions league will make it more worse for Arsenal and the fans. So, Emery will be cautious with the team line ups and he must make sure Arsenal beat Liverpool at all cost on tomorrow's game.
VAR - Video Assistant Referee has been a roadblock for Arsenal this season as it went against them in the last two matches against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace. A penalty and a cancelled goal in the space of 7 days was not correctly given due to VAR.
Probable Line Up today:
Starting Eleven: Bernd Leno, Calum Chambers, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, David Luiz, Sead Kolasinac, Mateo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Dani Cabellos, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazatte, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang,
Subs: Kieran Terney, Granit Xhaka, Ansley Maitland Niles, Bukayo Saka, Rob Holding, Martinelli, Emiliano Martinez.
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