Angus is an experienced football journalist at Football FanCast, specialising in Premier League reporting, opinion writing and in-depth football analysis. Since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022, he has developed extensive experience covering the English game, producing thousands of articles across a wide range of clubs and competitions.  

Before joining Football FanCast, Angus led VAVEL's Brighton & Hove Albion department, gaining valuable experience in club-specific reporting and editorial leadership. He subsequently joined Football FanCast through Snack Media's academy, now part of Valnet, and has progressed into the publication's Opinions and Features team.
 

As one of Football FanCast's longest-serving writers, Angus has covered numerous major developments across the Premier League, combining breaking news experience with detailed features and considered opinions. His work draws on years of reporting to provide context behind performances, transfer activity and the wider issues shaping English football.

On Sunday, Liverpool meet Arsenal in what is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season (this far) for Andoni Iraola and his side.

With Manchester City's Premier League future uncertain, the Reds are shaping up as the biggest threat to Arsenal's title, but the Gunners are already six points ahead after seven games, so winning at Anfield is crucial if Iraola hopes to consolidate his title-winning ambitions.

Clearly, it's not going to be easy. Liverpool are going to need to be incisive against the meanest defence in the land, and with that in mind, it might be worth dropping Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman is a top player, but he's struggled to hit the right notes in the danger area since returning from injury.

Why Iraola should drop Gakpo vs Arsenal

At the start of the season, Gakpo was immense, levels above the sloppy standard of last season. The Athletic's Duncan Alexander described him as Liverpool's "player of the season" back in September, but a cruel injury back in September stifled his progress.

He played the full 90 as Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 last weekend, producing a physical and aggressive performance which underscored his credentials within this frontline, but there's still a case to be made that he routinely makes the wrong decisions when presented with golden opportunities in the danger area.

It should go without saying that it's rather difficult to breach Arsenal's defences. The reigning champions don't concede all that many chances, and the thought of Gakpo cutting inside and firing at goal any number of times on Sunday is a frustrating thought.

This is not to negate the 26-year-old's ability, but Iraola has to get his team selection right on Sunday, and instead of Jacquet, he might want to unleash Liverpool's new version of Mohamed Salah.

Why Iraola must unleash Liverpool's new Salah

Salah is an inimitable part of the modern Liverpool journey. Without him, neither Jurgen Klopp nor Arne Slot would have etched their names into title-winning folklore in the Premier League.

The Egyptian King is no longer at Anfield, but Iraola could find Liverpool's most exciting attacker since Salah in his prime in the young and exciting Rio Ngumoha, who continues to dazzle for the Reds and has the quality to damage Arsenal on Merseyside.

Ngumoha, 18, was Liverpool's shining light last term, and he's only gone from strength to strength since the summer, becoming increasingly important for this side, skilled both on the left wing and the right.

Having found Premier League starts hard to come by this season, Ngumoha will surely be fuming if Gakpo gets the nod once again here. His speed and initiative and cutting edge when it matters are exactly the kind of attributes that Liverpool must direct at David Raya's goal on Sunday. Iraola may not have Salah to call upon, but in Ngumoha, he can unleash Liverpool's latest superstar.

In recent weeks, it feels like Ngumoha is starting to hit full stride. He has been shining in the Champions League, wreaking havoc against LASK and picking up a brace of assists during Liverpool's emphatic 4-3 win over Villarreal.

Against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in midweek, the fleet-footed winger won nine duels and completed all five of his attempted dribbles. To be sure, he has the potential to enjoy similar results against a stern Arsenal backline, yes, but a Gunners defence whose fragility has been exposed already this season, losing 3-0 at Brighton.

The Seagulls overwhelmed Arsenal with intensity and incisiveness, and these are the qualities Ngumoha brings to the table.

Ngumoha hasn't started in the Premier League since the opening game of the season. That needs to change on Sunday. The teenager has the X-factor needed to secure for Liverpool all three points.

You would argue that Bradley Barcola needs to start. Ngumoha on the alternate flank would give the visitors plenty to think about. Let's see if Iraola makes it happen.