- Arsenal host Liverpool in a huge Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon
- An ex-Arsenal player has picked his best XI from the two sets of players
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A former Arsenal player has raised some eyebrows with his named his combined XI from Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s huge premier League clash.
Arne Slot’s league leaders face their toughest test of the season so far as they travel to face the Gunners the Emirates.
A defeat for the home side would leave them seven points behind the Reds, who are yet to play a side in the top 10 away from home.
Both sides have plenty of quality and former Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna was tasked with naming his best XI from both squads.
The Frenchman immediately caused some controversy as he picked David Raya over Alisson, saying the Spaniard is ‘better with his feet.’
Former Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna has named his combined Liverpool and Arsenal XI
And there was some more as he chose Ben White over Trent Alexander-Arnold as he is ‘better defensively.
He added: ‘Trent 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.’
William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk and Riccardo Calafiori make up the rest of the back four with Sagna admitting it was hard to leave Gabriel out.
There were also surprises in midfield as Dominik Szoboszlai was chosen over Declan Rice with Sagna reasoning that he has more ‘quality and creativity.’
‘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,’ he added.
Szoboszlai was chosen alongside Ryan Gravenberch with Martin Odegaard completing the midfield three.
Two of the names in the forward line came as no shock, those being Mo Salah and Bukayo Saka.
Dominik Szoboszlai was chosen to start ahead of England international Declan Rice
Arsenal defender Ben White was selected ahead of Reds full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold
And it was Kai Havertz who was picked to lead the line with Sagna impressed with how he has done in the role at the Emirates.
‘I was surprised to see him play No 9 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.’