'Advice for Brendan? Stop Giroud'

Talk us through your start to the season...marks out of 10?

Eight. It feels like a while since we've been top of the table for any extended period, so certainly no complaints, but with Spurs having been our only real test so far, I'm aware that we've not been too thoroughly tested yet. If we are still top in a fortnight having taken five or more points from our games with you, Manchester United and Southampton, you can bump that score up to a nine.

Are you surprised to be top of the table at this stage?

Yes and no. There was a lot of promise and building cohesion in the side last season, which showed in our good run in the final few months, which allowed us to start on similar tracks again in August. There is no doubt we've been aided by managerial upheavals elsewhere, so once the likes of City and Chelsea, in particular, start clicking, which they inevitably will, it's all going to get a lot tougher up there. You won't find many people at the Emirates claiming the league is ours quite yet.

Mesut Ozil is enjoying rave reviews since signing in the summer - how good is the German?

I think we all know he's a genius and it still feels a little surreal seeing him in an Arsenal shirt. He's on the FIFA Ballon d'Or shortlist too, alongside Suarez, so it's nice to have some globally recognised quality on the field, though I don't think he's really hit his stride yet - even though he's been great so far. There are not many players who find their best in the Premier League in their first season - Giroud proves that - and the prospect of partnerships with Cazorla and Walcott really is mouth-watering.

Ozil's move and your start to the season seem to have appeased critics of Arsene Wenger. Is he still the right man for the job?

I personally never felt he wasn't. The trophy drought is a monkey we would all truly like off our back, but the ship is steady and hopefully he is willing to give us a bit more depth in January, as our injury record is well known. A couple in the wrong places this season could easily be the difference between title-challengers and fifth.

Where will today's match be won and lost?

I think how our defensive midfield copes will be the biggest factor. No Flamini or Arteta is a massive bonus for Liverpool as that's our maturity and bite in midfield gone, and there's the potential for pockets of space to open up if either Suarez or Sturridge wants to drop off a little. My hope is Ramsey or Wilshere will be more focused on remaining disciplined because it's a big game, but that is definitely where opportunities are most likely to stem from.

If you were to give Brendan Rodgers one piece of advice on beating Arsenal, what would it be?

Let Giroud get to the front post at your peril.

Who worries you most in the Liverpool team?

Toss of a coin between Suarez and Sturridge at the minute. The former's hat-trick last weekend showed how eager he is to be scoring and expressing himself after being forced onto the sidelines for quite so long, but Sturridge's chip was sublime and shows what confidence he's playing with. If we keep a clean sheet it will be a massive feather in the cap of our backline.

Any tips for away fans travelling to the Emirates on Saturday?

Bring your singing voices, as it's a livelier atmosphere at the moment seeing as the going's good.

What's your prediction?

The pragmatist in me says 1-1, the optimist 2-1. Whatever it is, I'd be surprised if it's not tight.