The Road to Redemption: Arsenal v Liverpool Match Preview
Let's just win this one.
No need to disect the last two matches. It has been reviewed argued and discussed ad nauseum. Simply put if Arsenal are to remain within sniffing distance of United and Chelsea, they will need to continue their run of success against visiting Liverpool.
Rafa Benietez, he who recently was the favourite punching bag of the media, brings his weakened side into the Emriates. Liverpool have a challenge ahead of them as Arsenal have not lost to the scousers in the last 11 league and cup matches on friendly soil.
Liverpool who were adrift recently have had a recent run of success not losing in their last 7 league matches. Hoever, the wins they have gotten have not been emphatic and they have had to claw just to remain in the lead. Additionally, as looks can be decieving this is a side that was dismantled by Reading in the FA Cup.
Rafa will want his boys to continue their ways and push Arsenal for the third spot. A win by Liverpool puts them 2 points behind Arsenal. Should the Gunners lose again they will once again find themselves being questioned of their top four credentials – especially with Man City now nipping at Liverpool’s heels.
Arsenal have not lost 3 successive league matches since 2007. They will need to show the same exact effort – but with different results – as they did against Chelsea. Additionally, Arsenal will need to solidfy the defence and provide support to still injured Gael Clichy. Clichy who is back playing is clearly not fully healed but has returned to try and help his squad. Whether this is sound considering the thrashing he has gotten in the last two weeks remains to be seen.
Again the weakest point on the team is the man between the sticks. And while there is no signal from Arsene Wenger that there will be a change the fact that he hasn’t come out with his usualy ringing endorsements of the spanish keeper makes me think we could finally see the change we are longing for. It’s just a hunch but who knows right?
Is the team fragile mentally? They certainly didn’t seem it on Sunday. They played their game they got taken advantage of and that is that. However, if not for the nimble feet and hands of Petr Cech Arsenal would’ve at least been in the game. But they it didn’t happen and they weren’t
If they come out with the same tenacity they did against Chelsea they should see a result. Pool do not have the defencive quality of Chelsea and while Reina is better than Almunia he has hardly been rock solid this season. Without Torres their attack is is limited to Kuyt. Gerrard is still nursing back from injury. In other words – if Arsenal want to get back on track this a pretty good opponent to do it on.
The last time Arsenal lost to Chelsea, they had lost their 2nd in a row and went on the most consistent run of all the teams. Hell, each time the team has lost they’ve lost two games and put on a solid run thereafter. No reason to believe that isn’t going to happen again.
How It Should Play Out:
Arsenal have everything to proove and everything to lose. Playing in front of a home crowd – albeit and impatient one – they will want to set the tone early. I expect to see them come out and try and take advantage early. Liverpool will have to rely on Gerrard and newly acquired Mexis to press for them – Aquliani is out and so is Torres and Benayoun – so look for Liverpool to try and catch Arsenal on the fast break – the problem I see is they aren’t a solid counterattacking team. If Arsenal can cuff Gerro and Kuyt then Liverpool will be primarily ineffective.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin – he likes Liverpool – he likes to score against Liverpool. He nearly did Chelsea in early and he has a way of stepping up to the plate in big games. Well, if this one now isn’t the biggest of the season I don’t know what is.
Liverpool: Steven Gerrard – he has been talking alot this week about beating Arsenal. Considering the injuries and suspensions Gerro is their man – they need him to be big if they are to win or draw.
Possible Starting XIs:
Arsenal: Fabianksi, Clichy, Gallas, Vermaelen, Sagna, Diaby, Fabregas, Song, Nasri, Bendtner, Arshavin
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Skertl, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Maxi, Ngog, Gerrard
Injuries/Suspensions:
Arsenal: Gibbs (foot), Eduardo (hamstring), Vela (knee), Djourou (knee), Merida (ankle) Van Persie (ankle)
Liverpool: Krygiakos (suspended), Aquilani (illness), Benayoun (broken rib), Johnson (knee), Torres (knee)
Match Form:
Arsenal: LLDWW
Liverpool: WWDWD
Match Officials:
Referee: Howard Webb
Assistant Referee: Darren Cann & Stephen Child
Fourth Official: Simon Bennett
TV Broadcast:
US: Setanta and Setanta-i 2:45 PM EST
UK: Sky Sports 2 1945 BST
Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
Game Day Chat Will Be Open: www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Liverpool: 1
