Will Arsenal or Liverpool make the top four this season?

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers saw his team rescue a 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday courtesy of a 97th minute equaliser from Martin Skrtel

Yesterday’s 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield displayed why neither team have managed to find consistency this season.

Liverpool rescued a point with a 97^th minute header from Martin Skrtel, after Reds substitute Fabio Borini had been dismissed for two bookings.

Ineffective

Liverpool dominated the first half, but took till the 44^th minute to take the lead through Philippe Coutinho.

However, Liverpool lacked a cutting edge and failed to create many clear-cut chances, despite the fact that they dominated possession in the opening period.

Even when the Reds created chances, they were wasteful in front of goal in both halves.

Awful

Some Arsenal fans have described this display as ‘the worst performance of the season’. It is hard to argue, as the Gunners were awful, but still somehow picked-up a point in a crazy game.

The side from north London struggled to retain the ball and the movement of Liverpool’s attacking midfielders Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho caused them problems.

The Gunners are usually assured on the ball and keep the ball well. The fact that Arsene Wenger’s side had just 35 per cent of possession suggested just how much the home side dominated the game.

The Gunners defensive frailties were exposed with the stoppage-time equaliser for Liverpool, as the Reds best header of the ball Martin Skrtel was left unchallenged to head home what was almost an inevitable equaliser.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger decided to start with full-back Mathieu Debuchy at centre-back. The Frenchman could not be blamed for either goal. He did a decent job at the heart of the defence alongside Per Mertesacker, who gave another unconvincing shaky performance.

Debuchy is not exactly a giant and just like Nacho Monreal before him does not look like a natural centre-back, cue my weekly moan about Arsene Wenger not signing enough defensive cover in the summer!

What I do not understand is why Debuchy was playing at centre-back, when Calum Chambers was playing at right-back position.

Chambers has been used as a centre-back by Wenger this season and the veteran French boss seems to believe that he will play in the position later on in his career. The youngster has not always looked convincing at centre-back.

However, at least Chambers has some experience of playing in the position. It seems Debuchy’s only experience of playing at centre-back at senior level came in the Gunners last game against Newcastle.

Defence

Liverpool have been poor defensively under Brendan Rodgers and against Arsenal the Reds defensive vulnerability was again exposed. The Liverpool boss has not been able to sort out his team’s leaky defence.

With his team not exactly being prolific in front of goal this season, the rate his team is conceding goals means that they are struggling to pick-up wins.

Struggle

On this display both these teams could struggle to threaten the top four this season. Chelsea and Manchester City look set to take two the Champions League spots this season.

Manchester United are also currently on a good run of form and look like they could also claim a place in the top four. Then there is outsiders West Ham and Southampton, who have both impressed so far this season.

Whether the pair can mount a sustained challenge for the top four remains to be seen, but the Hammers are in good form and Southampton ended their recent losing run with a 3-0 hammering of Everton on Saturday.

Injuries

The only comfort for Arsenal and Liverpool fans is that they have key players to return. Liverpool desperately need England striker Daniel Sturridge to recover from injury.

The former-Chelsea star will miss the festive period through injury. His return to action may be too late to save Liverpool’s top four challenge.

Arsenal does not have just one player out injured, but nearly a whole team. Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny are just some of the players currently in the Gunners treatment room.

Odds

Arsenal are perennial qualifiers for the Champions League and are currently odds of 2/5 to finish in the top four once again.  When the Gunners have all their injured players back they should start producing better performances, but they still have deficiencies in their team.

However, Liverpool are now nine points behind fourth place West Ham in the league table and have a lot of rivals for the top four spots. On yesterday’s evidence they do not look capable of finishing in the top four this season.

Will either Arsenal or Liverpool qualify for the Champions League this season?