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Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have issued different predictions ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.
Sutton suggests the Gunners could "bully" the Reds' midfield like Newcastle did before the Magpies suffered a Rio Ngumoha dagger in the ninth minute of additional time at St. James' Park to help Arne Slot's men leave with a 3-2 victory. However, Merson, a former Gunners star, says Mikel Arteta will be happy to leave Anfield with a point.
Both teams have won their opening two Premier League games, suggesting Sunday will be a close affair. Slot and Arteta have also been significantly active in the transfer market, splashing the cash in their bids to win the Premier League.
Sutton says Liverpool's fragile defense will see the Gunners leave with all three points via a 2-1 victory. "My worry with Liverpool is exactly what Arne Slot talked about in pre-season. They're too defensively vulnerable.
They've already conceded four goals," he wrote on BBC Sport.
"If you're a Liverpool fan I guess the good thing is your side are still getting results. But if you want to win league titles you've got to be watertight and strong at the back, and I'm not so sure Liverpool are," he continued.
"Liverpool got bullied by Newcastle. There's no reason why Arsenal can't bully them too. I've just got a sneaky feeling that Arsenal, bolstered by new signing Eberechi Eze, will exploit them."
Meanwhile, Merson has suggested a draw or a result in home team Liverpool's favor. The fitness of captain Martin Odegaard and star man Bukayo Saka is a concern for the Gunners.
Arteta has confirmed that Saka will be out for "a couple of weeks," in a huge blow to the travelling team. “It’s an action that requires full power from him. Then, he clashed with the opponent; he needed to change pace again, and he felt something. So he will be out for a couple of weeks.”
"I'd be happy with 1-1 if I'm Arsenal," he suggested on Sportskeeda. "But for some reason, my head still says Liverpool. I'm going to listen to my heart here and go with 1-1!"
Merson also highlighted the midfield as the key to this weekend's game. He believes Slot must start with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. "I have a feeling Arne Slot will go back to using Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield in this game," Merson stated.
"All of them have not been available together so far this season. Midfields win you league titles and so they must start together."
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