No place for Sturridge in combined Arsenal and Liverpool XI
Published:With Arsenal set to take on Liverpool next in the Premier League, the bods at news.Labrokes HQ have pooled their thoughts and chosen their best XI’s from the two star-studded squads.
Arsenal may have been through some testing times in cup competitions in their last two games at the Emirates, but the league leaders are still the 6/5 favourites to overcome fellow high-flyers Liverpool in their next home match, with the Reds available at 11/5.
As part of the build up to this titanic first v third televised clash, we’ve decided to act as manager and have selected a combined XI. Question is, do you agree?
In goal there was a resounding vote of confidence for Liverpool’s new stopper Simon Mignolet over Arsenal’s cocksure shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny.
The picks at full-back of Glen Johnson and Kieran Gibbs were also conducted in unanimous fashion. Both have abilities going forward, particularly Johnson, though Gibbs has come on leaps and bounds for the Gunners this season as well.
Despite not playing much of late, Liverpool’s technically gifted centre-back Daniel Agger makes it in alongside the hugely experienced head of Per Mertesacker, though picking him over Laurent Koscielny was a close call.
Interestingly, the central midfield is dominated by Liverpool as their first-choice pairing of Steven Gerrard and Lucas get the nod, though Mathieu Flamini may be unlucky to miss out.
Arsenal then hit back in all three of the advanced midfield positions, with Aaron Ramsey’s inclusion, perhaps out of position, a necessity after his amazing start to the season.
Mesut Ozil was the first name on many people’s team-sheet, while Santi Cazorla got the nod ahead of Theo Walcott and Victor Moses.
Up top there is not even room for the Premier League’s top scorer Daniel Sturridge, or the impressive Olivier Giroud, as hat-trick hero Luis Suarez is deemed the best all-round centre forward.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim three £10 free bets when you bet £10.
