Tipping Arsenal's Santi Cazorla to expose Liverpool weakness

Arsenal play Liverpool tomorrow, and will be hoping to score their first goals of the Premier League season.

Zero goals in their opening games, we thought we'd mention it, because it seems impossible not to when discussing Arsenal's start to the season.

The good thing is the club haven't conceded any, but few would bet on third successive 0-0 when they travel to Anfield tomorrow.

Liverpool have had a mixed start to the season, and it should not be forgotten for however impressive they were against Manchester City, they did not win, and have just one point, placing them below Arsenal in the table.

Arsenal can extend the gap over the Reds to four points with a win, but it won't be easy.

The key question for Liverpool is how can they cope without Lucas, who is injured, and will Nuri Sahin make his debut against a club he was reported to be nearly joining.

Cazorla is a real attacking force who likes to drift into positions at the tip of the midfield, and will ask real questions of Liverpool.

Lucas like Mascherano before him is the defensive fulcrum of Liverpool's side, tasked with breaking up the play and nullifying the opposition attacks.

He was injured early on against City, and Brendan Rodgers confirmed earlier in the week that he would be about for two-to-three months.

Liverpool do have options, but different type of players. Joe Allen and Nuri Sahin's games depend more on their passing ability, and if Sahin was thrown in for his debut it would be a tough ask.

Steven Gerrard could be asked to drop deep as he did for England at Euro 2012, and that could be an ideal solution.

If Liverpool do not find one, then Cazorla will use the space dangerously to create chances for Arsenal's strikers, and shoot on goal from long-range, and he could be the match-winner.

How will Liverpool cope without Lucas? Will Cazorla prove the difference?

Dan Coombs

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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.