Stars Are Ready for Season Debuts

By Mike Diamente | 27th October 2009

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While a Liverpool versus Arsenal match is always an interesting affair, the prospect of seeing two stars make their Premier League season debuts in the match makes the game all the more interesting.

Arsenal’s Samir Nasri and Liverpool’s big money signing Alberto Aquilani are both set to make their season debuts in Wednesday night’s Carling Cup match between Liverpool and Arsenal. Nasri is returning from a broken leg suffered in pre-season training, while Aquilani is coming back from a thigh injury.

The fact that both men are making their return from injury against one another forces me to choose which player I’m more interested in seeing play.

After blowing a two goal lead this weekend against West Ham, Arsenal would love to have Nasri in the lineup to boost their offense (as well as Theo Walcott). However, Nasri has already played a successful season in the Premier League, and has had time to gel with his teammates, which makes his return a little less compelling.

I am more interested in seeing Aquilani make his Premier League debut.

With Liverpool struggling, and Rafa Benitez’s job seemingly on the line, now more than ever Alberto Aquilani’s presence seems to be needed. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have both missed time with injury this season, and Liverpool’s title chances seem to slip away the more their star players are off the pitch.

As a Serie A fan, I am interested in seeing how Aquilani makes the transition from the Italian game to the English game. Will Aquilani be able to adjust to the size and speed of the players in the Premier League? Will the language barrier be a factor in his performance? Is Arsenal too tough of a team to make a debut against? Will Aquilani ever be worth his transfer fee?

All these question could be answered this Wednesday after what is shaping up to be a very interesting Carling Cup match.