Ex-Arsenal star makes bold calls as Gunners dominate combined XI with Liverpool (2024)

Arsenal are four points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table coming into their clash on Sunday - but they have the better players, according to Bacary Sagna

Ex-Arsenal star makes bold calls as Gunners dominate combined XI with Liverpool (1)

Bacary Sagna has made some eye-catching choices when picking a combined XI made up of Arsenal and Liverpool players.

The Gunners host Arne Slot ’s side at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the second of two tests of their Premier League title credentials. Having been held to a draw by Manchester City in a dramatic incident-packed match last month, Arsenal will now attempt to go one better against the league’s early-season pace setters.

Liverpool have settled into life under Slot extremely well, picking up seven wins from eight matches in the league so far. The lack of summer signings has proven to be a positive, rather than a negative, ensuring continuity in the squad despite the departure of Jurgen Klopp and his staff.

Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the campaign was derailed by Bournemouth last weekend and injuries to Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, as well as the suspension of William Saliba, has thrown a curveball for Arteta. Those factors should serve up a tight encounter in north London between the two biggest challengers to City’s stranglehold.

Sagna spent seven years at Arsenal, as well as three at City, so it is no surprise to see him go for seven Gunners stars to four from the Reds while choosing from fully-fit squads. But the identity of those choices, made in an interview with Mirror Football , are intriguing nonetheless.

Goalkeeper

Sagna will divide opinion immediately after opting for Arsenal’s David Raya over the brilliant Alisson, primarily for his ability with the ball at his feet, rather than shot-stopping.

“I will go for David Raya,” he said. “I think he has the advantage of playing out with his feet and I think if you look at both styles, it’s an advantage for Arsenal to have someone who’s really comfortable with his feet. Alisson is good, but Raya is better with his feet.”

Defence

Sagna’s second controversial call comes at right-back. “I will go for Ben White at right-back because he’s better defensively and you need to defend first as a defender. That has to be your main quality,” he said.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a threat going forward and one of the best in the world but because he’s attacking so much, defensively, the team gets exposed a bit more. That’s his game though and he’s not as bad as everyone says, but in such an important game, you need to be a bit more focused defensively.”

Virgil van Dijk is good enough to break up the Gabriel Magalhaes-William Saliba partnership, despite Sagna hailing it as one of the Premier League’s best since Chelsea duo John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. “It’s a tough one because Gabriel has been really solid this season and scored many goals, but Van Dijk is ahead of him,” he said.

There is another contentious call at left-back. Sagna explained: “I’ll go for Calafiori – he’s versatile and can attack. Defensively, he has more confidence than Andy Robertson and he’s quite tall for set pieces – it’s really important for a club to have some height. Robertson is a good defender but set pieces will be the key to the game, so I'll go for Calafiori.”

Midfield

Liverpool have the edge in midfield, where Sagna has benched Declan Rice in favour of Dominik Szoboszlai. “I’ll go for Szoboszlai over Declan Rice because of his quality and creativity. He adds some speed in the middle when they counterattack,” he said. “He’s fresh and plays with personality. I rate Rice a lot but the defence is set so I would like to see a bit more of an attacking style and that’s why I'd choose Szoboszlai.”

Szoboszlai will partner Ryan Gravenberch: “He hasn't reached his full potential yet, but you can see how important he has become to the squad. He wasn’t in the starting XI but now plays one of the key roles in the team.”

HAVE YOUR SAY! Disagree with Bacary Sagna's selections? Comment below.

Arsenal have missed Odegaard since his injury on September 9 – and Sagna has no doubt just how good the Norway international is. “His creativity is one of the best in Europe and I understand now why Real Madrid went for him,” he said. “His maturity is good and he’s the kind of player who can score or assist and since the beginning of his Arsenal career, he’s been the best player.”

Attack

Two of the players in this 4-3-3 formation pick themselves: Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah. The former edged out Luis Diaz, who has been in good form this season, while Salah earned glowing praise.

Mo Salah is a special player,” Sagna said. “He can create so much and carry the team by himself. He’s become a natural leader in the team in the way he plays so I'll go for him.”

Liverpool have fielded both Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota as their No.9 this season, but Sagna has gone for Kai Havertz, having been impressed by how he’s adapted.

“I was surprised to see him play number nine but responded perfectly,” he said. “He’s been important to the team. I was also not sure about him playing as a centre-forward but he’s so clinical and that’s what is required so I'll go for him.”

Bacary Sagna’s Arsenal-Liverpool combined XI: Raya; White, Van Dijk, Saliba, Calafiori; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Odegaard; Saka, Salah, Havertz.

Bacary Sagna was speaking to Mirror Football on behalf of Paddy Power

Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.Learn more

Sky Sports deal

Ex-Arsenal star makes bold calls as Gunners dominate combined XI with Liverpool (2)

Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Ex-Arsenal star makes bold calls as Gunners dominate combined XI with Liverpool (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Margart Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6510

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Margart Wisoky

Birthday: 1993-05-13

Address: 2113 Abernathy Knoll, New Tamerafurt, CT 66893-2169

Phone: +25815234346805

Job: Central Developer

Hobby: Machining, Pottery, Rafting, Cosplaying, Jogging, Taekwondo, Scouting

Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.