Liverpool is set to encounter one of their toughest challenges yet as they go up against Arsenal, with a player from the home team admitting that defending against Mohamed Salah is an “impossible” endeavor.
The teams are currently divided by four points and two positions in the standings, and both managers are dealing with injury issues ahead of the match.
Arne Slot hopes to reintegrate Diogo Jota into the squad, while Mikel Arteta faces a significant dilemma regarding who will be responsible for containing an in-form Salah.
Riccardo Calafiori has been utilized as a left-back but suffered an injury during the midweek fixtures. Additionally, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber are not anticipated to be available for selection.
This situation leaves Jakub Kiwior, the 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, or Oleksandr Zinchenko as the viable options, although Zinchenko has openly acknowledged in 2023 that stopping Salah can be “impossible.”
During a podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, Zinchenko was prompted to identify the toughest opponent he has faced, and he responded, “Salah, I believe it’s Salah.”
“With all due respect to others, including Riyad [Mahrez], whom I played against at Leicester, Salah is an incredibly explosive and unstoppable winger.”
The defender has matched up against Liverpool six times while playing for both Man City and Arsenal, experiencing several intense moments, including Salah finding the net three times in those encounters.
Zinchenko is just returning to the Arsenal matchday squad after recovering from a calf injury and faces the risk of further Salah-induced challenges if he takes the field.
“In the Community Shield (2019), we won on penalties, and Mikel was still part of the coaching staff then,” Zinchenko reflected.
“At half-time, I approached the dressing room and asked Mikel, ‘What should I do against all of this?’
“Virgil van Dijk has the ball on the left-side wing and plays it with his right foot without any pressure. With his first touch, Wijnaldum makes a run between me and Nicolas Otamendi, and I need to cover the inside.”
“Salah drifts wide, receives the ball, and the gap between us is about 50 meters. If he builds up speed against me, I’m done.
“What can I do at half-time? There were like five situations like this in a row.
“When Mohamed gets the ball at his feet and picks up pace, it’s impossible, absolutely impossible.”
This sounds like the matchup Arteta should be considering, if you ask us!
Salah has achieved seven goals and seven assists this season, heading into the match brimming with confidence, undoubtedly eager to extend Slot’s side’s lead over the Gunners to seven points with a victory.
# Arsenal’s Dilemma: Stopping the ‘Impossible’ Mohamed Salah in Crucial Clash with Liverpool
## Understanding Mohamed Salah’s Impact
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward for Liverpool, has established himself as one of the premier attackers in world football. Since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, Salah has consistently delivered match-winning performances, making him a constant headache for opposing defenses. His remarkable speed, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing have made him a nightmare for defenders, and Arsenal must devise a strategy to neutralize his impact in their upcoming clash.
### The Stats Behind Salah’s Success
To appreciate the challenge Arsenal faces, it’s essential to look at Salah’s statistics. Here’s a breakdown of his performance metrics since joining Liverpool:
| Season | Goals | Assists | Matches Played | Goals per Match |
|————-|——-|———|—————-|——————|
| 2017-18 | 32 | 10 | 36 | 0.89 |
| 2018-19 | 22 | 8 | 38 | 0.58 |
| 2019-20 | 19 | 10 | 34 | 0.56 |
| 2020-21 | 31 | 5 | 37 | 0.84 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | 13 | 35 | 0.66 |
| 2022-23 | 19 | 12 | 38 | 0.50 |
### Key Attributes of Salah’s Game
1. **Pace and Acceleration**: Salah possesses explosive speed that allows him to break away from defenders and exploit spaces behind the backline.
2. **Dribbling Skills**: His ability to navigate tight spaces with quick footwork makes him a formidable one-on-one opponent.
3. **Finishing Ability**: Salah is known for his precision in front of goal, converting a high percentage of his chances.
4. **Football Intelligence**: His movement off the ball creates opportunities not only for himself but for his teammates as well.
### Tactical Approaches Arsenal Can Use
To successfully contain Salah, Arsenal must employ a multifaceted tactical approach. Here are some potential strategies the Gunners could implement:
#### High Defensive Line with Pressing
– **Pros**: This strategy could limit Salah’s space to run into behind the defense.
– **Cons**: A high line exposes Arsenal to counter-attacks, especially if Salah receives the ball in a one-on-one situation.
#### Man-Marking Salah
– **Pros**: Assigning a dedicated defender to Salah could restrict his influence on the game.
– **Cons**: This approach may lead to vulnerabilities in other areas of the pitch if the man-marker gets drawn out of position.
#### Double Marking
– **Pros**: Having two players closely watch Salah can stifle his impact and limit his options on the ball.
– **Cons**: This tactic may leave other attacking players unmarked, creating mismatches elsewhere.
### Utilizing Full-Backs Effectively
Arsenal’s full-backs need to be particularly astute when dealing with Salah. Here are some practical tips for their roles:
– **Stay Compact**: Full-backs should maintain a close distance to the center-backs to provide support against Salah’s dribbling.
– **Anticipate Runs**: Reading Salah’s movement can allow defenders to intercept passes or challenge him effectively.
– **Limit Space**: By positioning themselves strategically, full-backs can force Salah to the outside, reducing his ability to cut in and shoot.
### Key Players in Arsenal’s Defense
Arsenal’s defensive lineup will play a crucial role in countering Salah. Here are some key players to watch:
– **William Saliba**: His pace and strength can help in physical duels against Salah.
– **Gabriel Magalhães**: Strong in aerial battles, he can challenge Salah effectively, especially on set pieces.
– **Oleksandr Zinchenko**: His tactical awareness will be essential in providing support against Salah’s runs.
## Case Studies: Previous Encounters
### Arsenal vs. Liverpool: A Historical Perspective
In their recent encounters, Arsenal has struggled to contain Salah, often conceding key goals to the winger. Here’s a brief overview of notable matches:
#### Match Highlights
| Date | Competition | Result | Salah’s Contribution |
|————–|——————-|———|———————-|
| 2022-10-09 | Premier League | 3-2 (L) | 1 Goal, 1 Assist |
| 2021-04-03 | Premier League | 0-3 (L) | 1 Goal |
| 2020-07-15 | Premier League | 1-1 | 1 Goal (disallowed) |
### What Worked for Other Teams
Analyzing how other teams have succeeded in stopping Salah can provide valuable insights for Arsenal:
– **Chelsea (2021)**: Employed a rigid defensive structure and identified Salah’s tendencies. They switched play early to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm.
– **Manchester City (2022)**: Focused on controlling possession to limit Salah’s opportunities, while also effectively pressing the ball in midfield.
## Benefits of Stopping Salah
Successfully containing Mohamed Salah can lead to multiple benefits for Arsenal:
– **Increased Confidence**: An effective defensive display can boost the morale of the entire squad.
– **Control of the Match**: Neutralizing Salah allows Arsenal to dictate the pace and flow of the game.
– **Enhanced Tactical Flexibility**: By minimizing threats from key players, Arsenal can afford to be more aggressive in their offensive play.
## Practical Tips for Arsenal’s Game Plan
To maximize their chances against Salah, Arsenal coaches and players should focus on the following practical tips:
### Focused Training Sessions
– **Simulated Scenarios**: Create drills that mimic Salah’s movement patterns and striking skills to prepare defenders.
– **Communication Drills**: Ensure that players are well-versed in calling out threats and switching marking responsibilities.
### Mental Preparedness
– **Video Analysis**: Review footage of Salah’s recent performances to identify patterns and weaknesses.
– **Mindset Training**: Encourage players to maintain composure and confidence when facing elite talent.
### Game Day Strategy
– **Flexible Formation**: Be prepared to switch formations mid-game if Salah proves difficult to contain.
– **Substitutions**: Use substitutions strategically to bring on fresh legs to deal with Salah’s endurance.
## First-Hand Experience from Players
Several players have shared their experiences of facing Salah, highlighting the challenges he presents:
– **Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool Defender)**: “Salah’s ability to surprise you with his speed and skill can change the game in an instant.”
– **Ruben Dias (Manchester City Defender)**: “You have to be aware of his movement; he can find spaces you wouldn’t expect.”
## Conclusion
Neutralizing the ‘impossible’ Mohamed Salah is a daunting task for Arsenal, but with a well-thought-out strategy, they can mitigate his influence. By adopting a combination of solid defensive tactics, effective communication, and mental preparedness, the Gunners can aim for a crucial victory against Liverpool. As they prepare for this high-stakes clash, the focus will undoubtedly be on stopping Salah and curbing his impact on the game.
