Seriously don't underestimate Arsenal. They have some very good players in attack and are at home, but I do agree we can get a win if we play to our pottential.
There could be two more players out for Arsenal, Djorou and Gibbs picked up injuries last night. I can't see Nasri playing on Sunday with his move to City happening in the foreseeable future.
I strongly doubt that either Kenny or Steve Clarke will send the team out with the idea that a 'weakened' Arsenal side will be a push-over. They will however, demand that our players make the most of their opportunity. I would have been more worried if this match was Arsenal's first home match. But that happened last night and therefore the adrenaline rush that we experienced in the first half will be diluted to some degree. If we go about the match in a professional fashion then I can see a win for Liverpool.
I expect this to be a good game, keenly contested and any liverpool fan expecting a win is over confident and arsenal fans saying we should win are merely hedging bets. Arsenal WILL have a good team, with an expereinced defense unless you really don't rate gibbs. they are at home, so unless arsenal fans just get on thier sides backs or we just out work them totally this will be a low scoring game.
Dave. Kenny will demand 100% commitment. He'll tell his players that Arseenal remain dangerous no matter what, however he will tell them that if they go in front they cannot rest on their laurels. They must show no mercy. Arsenal are the enemy and the enemy deserves no mercy. He will tell them that if the shoe was on the other foot, then Arsenal wouldn't think twice about doing likewise. They shouldn''t be expected to either. Nows the time to play Arsenal, we may not get a better chance to break our Emirates duck.
Disagree. Arsenal will not have a good team. That will not mean that they will not be difficult to beat. We need to give them a hard time and maximise our strengths against their weaknesses.. They are a far weaker side than the one we played at their place last season and we believe that we are now a stronger side. It is our responsibility to prove that.
I want a good performance from our lads. Over the full 90 minutes pressing and showing commitment in tackles and really trying to push on. This is the kind of game I'd really love to see with Maxi, Spearing and Kuyt. All with their own individual attributes that can help us strengthen our side. Downing is likely to play on the right. The problem is Wenger can't play a youngster there, it would risk too many crosses into the box and without the aerial ability of Djourou, this could be key. But if he plays Vermaelen there, the center may get exposed. I reckon he'll go for Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci and Vermaelen (Right to left across the back).
Dave Lil Jatt. Kenny will pick a side that fits the opponent. Expect him to go physical. Expect him to hit Arsenal with raw energy.
I would agree with you, but don't forget Wenger will be thinking exactly the same thing. Arsenal v Liverpool are classic top 4 games (that have been going on for the last 20 years) and I don't think Arsenal will take it as lightly as they did last night, I can see out of form players pulling out all the stops because they expect us to win this. So it'll be harder than it appears on paper, a lot harder.
The one thing that the majority of the pundits got right concerning both our teams was that we "had to hit the ground running". Now a draw in the first game is far from being disasterous. You can't win the title (or 4th spot) in the first 6 games - but you can make life for yourself very much harder. That is why i expect Liverpool to be very profesional and look to post maximum points.
IMO Dirk Kuyt should start as the main Striker with Carroll on the Bench. During the Sunderland Match I was shocked to see the unavailability of a game changer kind of player like Aquilani. With Carroll on the bench we have something different to throw at Arsenal if they decide to turn up.Kuyt also does have a good scoring record of crucial goals a the Emirates. Last Season when Liverpool was inconsistent we still managed to turn up for the big games bar Man city away. So do not despair gunners your boys will show up. I see a draw and if that is the result I will not mind watching another 4-4 game.
I would expect Dirk to start as well. I also didnt like the look of the bench on Saturday considering our signings. Where was Maxi and Aqua?
As long as we have Arshavin, anything is possible against you guys. And to be honest, I wouldn't rate your strike force (with exception to Suarez, who's brilliant) as highly as Di Natale. What you saw was a Udinese side given free rein against an Arsenal back five of: Jenkinson---Vermaelen---Koscielny---Sagna -------------------Szczesny--------------- and they stood up firm. Assuming Song isn't suspended, if Wenger plays this side then I will be fairly confident. ----------RVP---------- Arshavin---------Walcott ---------Ramsey-------- -----Song----Frimpong-- Jenk---Verm-Kosc---Sagna -------Szczesny---------- With Arshavin playing, there will be more attacking creativity that would otherwise be lacking by playing the two DM's. It is actually a pretty strong formation when you look at it. It will be hard to get passed Arsenal's 7 defensive players and there is enough up front to craft enough chances to score.
I can't comment about the boy Frimpong (where's he from, f..king Thailand) but what you said about Suarez is bang on.............................I hope!
I'm glad that someone posted a side for arsenal..... I don;t know how fordeck you can say thats not still a good side.... frimpong...ok fiar enough not exactly thier first choice but thats a damned good front 3, back line and ramsey i think is very underrated. I do agree we need to play to our strength and yes the team we have has impved so we've a chance.... but i maintain it'll be a tight low scoring game but i am hoping it will be a good quality encounter where both teams pass the ball well etc. vermalean v carroll will be intriguing and suarez could do well here.
The thing that you will find difficult is that the defense cannot be bullied like in previous seasons. Koscielny is deceptively strong and Vermaelen needs no explaining. Sagna is firm and you will have to more or less channel everything through Jenkinson. Which is a worry. But if we play Song and Frimpong, getting to him in the first place might be difficult. And Raaaul, source? I've only seen that he has been charged with violent conduct.
" Don't shoot me down for saying that, like the people on ja606 do! After all, it's just my two pennies worth! " No way mate! If these build up threads have any value- and I think they do - then it allows all of us a fair exchange of information and opinion without idiots starting 'wars' which just closes dialogue down. Naturally I'm going to disagree with you regarding our strengthening during the summer. Whilst I see our creative options increasing during the summer, I think I see yours collapsing. You did look pretty but toothless at Newcastle and were stretched by Udinese who I didn't rate at any more than average. Somebody in your side is going to have to play out of their skin to provide the vital spark and I don't see it in your squad so far. As for us. I doubt that we will see Henderson starting. That will leave a spot for either Aquilanai or Miraelles. We may well see both used depending on how the game is going. With the aquisition of Enrique we also have a LB who can keep Wallcot quiet (Kelly is no slouch either BTW). Then we have Lucas back - he not only breaks up/slows down attacks but he also acts as a fulcrum around which the defence sets itself. I'm sure that carrol will be eyeing this game as his opportunity to bully your CBs. The whole match may hinge upon which sides grabs control and maintains it.
I can't find it reported anywhere else however. The FA website only says he was charged, not suspended.
