If this was a movie it could be titled “Stopping Mo” , if it was a manual or any book it could be “Defending for Dummies: How to stop MO”. But this isn’t any of those, it’s real life, it’s the EPL and the Gunners are facing Liverpool this weekend and one of their headaches after the weekday encounter with Blackpool will be how to find a way to contain Mohamed Salah who is one of the threats for Liverpool.
Arsenal this past weekend couldn’t continue their winning run against Crystal Palace as they went away to the Selhurst Park, though they’re still unbeaten their run of wins has stuttered and they must find a way to return to winning ways if they are to see themselves in the top 4 or even challenge for the title this season. The Gunners traveled to Crystal Palace without any left back as Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac were declared not fully fit to feature; hence they resorted to using midfielder Granit Xhaka as their makeshift left back in their draw against Roy Hodgson’s men.
Mo Salah has over the periods, since his signing to Liverpool proven to be a force to reckon with, despite not having a bright smooth start as expected by many as a way of continuing his burst runs and goal scoring abilities, he is still one of the fire upfront opposing teams need to quench if they are to slow down Liverpool’s havoc causing characteristics. He has been involved in 8 ways in his 10 appearances so far in the EPL, finding the net 5 times and assisting 3 times and that is not a bad thing for him, with him finding the net against Cardiff City this past weekend.
Arsenal need to find a way to contain the Egyptian or else they risk ending the game in tatters, because whether he scores or not he gets involved in attack and that creates many problems if he pairs with Sadio Mane. A fine analysis of the style of play of Liverpool which makes their attack very potent shows that, they are a team who is so good at running- runs in behind , because their men up the pitch are so important. And to mute their potency, the midfield of Arsenal need to extra focused and close in channels, the gap between the midfield and defense must be closed often to make sure such channels to allow the ball run through to those up front are closed down. Salah is so fast and Arsenal have to fight tooth and nail to make sure he becomes frustrated on the pitch and eventually ineffective.
Even if it has to take a change in formation of tactics or team talk, Unai Emery has to ensure that Salah’s potency is made ineffective for the whole 90 minutes, even if it has to be by getting him injured to get the best results. Arsenal has a got a very good squad, and all they need is to be very focused and determined to make a good result against Liverpool possible in the coming weekend.
