The view from Arsenal: 'You'll have to stop Sanchez'

All eyes will be on Emirates Stadium tomorrow afternoon as two teams with big ambitions lock horns in the opening match of their campaign.

It’s a first trip to the north London venue for Jürgen Klopp as Reds boss and the German wants his side to hit the ground running in the capital.

But what kind of challenge will they face? Who will Liverpool have to keep in check to secure a result to savour? Here’s how Daniel sees the situation…

First of all, how optimistic are you for the new season?

I wouldn’t say I’m optimistic – but I never am when it comes to football. I would have loved the season to be starting in a fortnight or so as we really don’t feel ready, with France and Germany getting to the latter stages of the Euros, not to mention the fact that we are having our yearly defensive injury crisis, arriving before anyone’s kicked a ball. It’s hardly ideal. I am looking forward to never again hearing the ‘Arsenal need a bit of steel in the middle’ comment, with Xhaka, Coquelin and Elneny in there, though.

What is the mood among the Gunners fanbase?

Every season tends to be a battle between light and dark in the internal monologues of Arsenal fans. This season – much like last season – you can argue the pros of stability in the wake of many rivals going through major managerial or personnel changes. However, when you’re already looking at a defensive crisis and no indication of filling the sizeable gap we have up front – I’m not going to get excited by Takuma Asano’s two goals at the Olympics, even if they were tidy finishes – you can understand why the mood is fairly gloomy.

Are Arsenal serious title contenders this year?

Yes. Having finished second last season – while not being at our best for plenty of it – it’d be mad to say anything else. But there are six or seven other teams who will probably be answering the same.

Do you like a big game to start the campaign or fear it?

Looking back, our last big game to kick off the season was against Liverpool and we have the capability to win or lose any game on most days. Having had more changes in the off-season, I imagine there’ll be a slim advantage for Liverpool in terms of unpredictability, but the same could be said for us in terms of general cohesion, so no-one really has any idea on day one.

How the two sides performed in the 2015-16 Premier League...

Who will Liverpool have to stop to get a result?

Sanchez. Do I really need to say anything else?

There are some injury and fitness problems for Arsene Wenger, so how are you likely to line up?

Not a clue. Wenger was hinting at Rob Holding coming in at the back, but it could easily be a case of Monreal and Chambers. With Giroud set to be out too, Sanchez could end up leading the line.

Who do you consider Liverpool’s key man?

I’m a big fan of Sadio Mane, so I think he will be a handful, but an in-form Sturridge can produce brilliance from nothing.

Any tips for Liverpool fans attending the game?

Enjoy the amount of confusion at the back, hopefully it won’t be anywhere near as bad by the time we arrive at your place next March…

What is your prediction?

Well, if it’s anything like the last time we met on the opening day, it’ll be 1-1 and we’ll both lose a new signing, so I’ll go for the same with Xhaka and Mane to see red. With so much change this season, it’d be nice to have something familiar to kick us off.