The top two sides in the Premier League face each other at Anfield this evening. It’s going to be a fascinating watch and Alexander-Arnold will be key to unlocking Arsenal‘s strong defence. Keown wants Havertz to shut him down.

Martin Keown wants Arsenal’s Kai Havertz to shut down Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold is always a hot topic of discussion when Arsenal and Liverpool face each other.

The 25-year-old is one of the best right-backs in the world, but he has had his struggles against Gabriel Martinelli while defending.

However, Alexander-Arnold has had a lot of success against Arsenal as well. He has six assists against the Gunners, and Mikel Arteta will need a plan to stop him from adding to that number today.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Kai Havertz will be key to stopping Alexander-Arnold this evening when the Englishman cuts inside and takes up a central position.

Keown believes the Liverpool defender needs ‘shutting down’, and Havertz will have to be the man to do it if Arsenal are to get a win today.

The Arsenal legend wrote in The Daily Mail: “This is a defining game for Havertz, in particular. He looks like he has turned a corner in terms of his creativity of late, but he will be up against Trent Alexander-Arnold when the Liverpool man moves into midfield from his inverted right-back position.

“Alexander-Arnold has six Premier League assists against Arsenal — more than against any other opponents — and most of those were registered from wide areas. Now playing centrally, he is doing even more damage. A player with his vision cannot be allowed time and space.

“When Alexander-Arnold steps inside from Havertz’s side of the pitch, he needs shutting down. Liverpool love to flood the midfield and, as talented as he is, Rice cannot pick up everyone while trying to protect Saliba and Gabriel.”

Arsenal can’t give Alexander-Arnold any space

Trent Alexander-Arnold thrives when he is given time and space on the ball, and Arsenal need to stop that as soon as he’s in possession.

Kai Havertz will definitely have a key part to play today, but he isn’t the only one. Alexander-Arnold is dangerous across the pitch and can pick out his teammates with outrageous passes from just about anywhere.

Mikel Arteta will want Gabriel Martinelli to keep the Liverpool full-back on his toes throughout the game. When Alexander-Arnold is backtracking against the Brazilian, there’s usually only one winner, and that has to be a key part of Arsenal’s game plan today.

It will be interesting to see how the game will pan out, but one thing is certain – if Arsenal give Alexander-Arnold time and space on the ball, they will suffer.

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