Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini returns from a three-game ban, but fellow midfielder Santi Cazorla is ill and may miss the FA Cup fifth-round tie with Liverpool. Striker Olivier Giroud and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could be rested for Wednesday's meeting with Bayern Munich. Liverpool may restore centre-back Daniel Agger to the starting line-up after his recovery from a calf injury. Full-back Glen Johnson is not fit, but 21-year-old midfielder Joao Carlos Teixeira may play some part. Liverpool thrashed the Gunners 5-1 in the Premier League last weekend, but manager Arsene Wenger is confident that his side will react positively when they line up against the same opposition with a place in the last eight at stake. "These guys are winners. When they lose in that way believe me they are hurt," Wenger said. "When you can put things right, you want an opportunity to do that and we have an opportunity." Striker Daniel Sturridge struck two goals in the Reds' victory at Anfield and has scored in eight successive games for the club. Sturridge's streak has coincided with a relative barren spell for team-mate Luis Suarez - who has not found the net in his last three games - and he is only four club goals behind the prolific Uruguayan for this season. "He is up there with Luis as the best finisher in the league," said manager Brendan Rodgers. "When Daniel is through on goal, you are surprised when he misses. He is outstanding in the one-v-one and he has great variety in his finishing. "Both him and Luis are outstanding goalscorers." MATCH FACTS • This is the 17th meeting in the FA Cup, with Arsenal winning seven times and Liverpool five times. • Arsenal have won the FA Cup 10 times - most recently in 2005. Only Manchester United (11) have won the competition more times than the Gunners. • Liverpool have won the FA Cup on seven occasions - most recently in 2006. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26106019
flamini will make a difference. I expect him to play cos he'll be fresh. i have no idea who will be played after that. If they rest giroud i am not sure what they'll do. podolski or ox are not line leaders IMO.
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/155363-henderson-we-ll-just-stick-to-the-plan Jordan Henderson believes Arsenal will be gunning for revenge following their 5-1 beating at Anfield when the two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Reds will return to the capital, the scene of their dramatic 3-2 triumph over Fulham midweek, for an FA Cup fifth-round tie with the Gunners. Henderson expects Arsene Wenger's men to come out fighting in an attempt to banish memories of their recent thrashing on Merseyside. However, he insists that should the home side seek to dominate possession, Liverpool will simply stick to their game plan and continue to play with the confidence that has seen them through in recent weeks. "It's another big game," said Henderson. "We'll have to recover and prepare well, but it's one we're looking forward to. "We want to do well in the FA Cup and hopefully we can go there and get a good result. "Arsenal are at home, so I'm sure they'll want a bit more of the ball and they'll try to dominate that way, but we've got to go with our game plan and stick to it. "I think it's a lot of mind games, really. Us as players, and Liverpool, we've just got to do what we've been doing. We've got some brilliant players and we're very confident, so we've got to go into every game wanting to win." Henderson joined his teammates in joyous celebration after Steven Gerrard fired home a late winner from the penalty spot against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night. Liverpool were forced to fight back from a trailing position twice in the game, before the skipper clinched a vital three points with a calm finish in front of the away end. "I think we played some good stuff at times, particularly in the second half," reflected Henderson. "We kept the ball well; scored some goals and so overall we're delighted. "It's important if you get goals against you, you've got to come back and show your character and I think we did that. "To show character when you go down twice, come back and win the game. That was really pleasing and hopefully we can kick on from here. "There has been no talk of the title with us. We've just got to take it like we have been - taking each game as it comes. "Everybody said we weren't in the running a couple of weeks ago and now they're saying we are, so it's going to go up and down throughout the season. "There's still a long way to go. But we're quietly confident that we just go about our business in the right way and, hopefully, keep winning games."
Podzol ski and Walcott can both play centrally but Walcott is injured and podolski hasn't impressed through the middle this season when he has had odd chances. As for Sanogo he has only just returned from injury so don't think he is ready to start a game like this yet. Bendtner despite being an arrogant nob who all arsenal fans wanted to see the back of, has worked really hard this season to get match fit and to contribute when he is called on. He has played an important if very limited role this season so I'll hold off slating him for now
Just reading the latest article on BBC with Nevin's comments; it's only just dawned on me how we've changed into a side where other teams have to specifically think of a way to counter what we do. When you've got Coutinho, Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge, you can't just play your normal style and hope for a win - you have to actively find ways to stop us playing. Even cutting those 4 out will still leave Stevie will acres of space. Quite nervous about this game though. Arsenal will be up for it after their humiliation last time.
Arsenal are on the horns of a major dilema. In addition to having to make decisions about the selection, they now have to consider the strategy that they employ to stop us playing (and how those changes may effect their own attacking options) on top of having to consider the possible effects of this game on their CL match midweek. What a minefield! They may want to go out and effect revenge for their demolition at Anfield but they may not be able to field a side that is even remotely capable of doing so. Happily for us, all of the above is their problem. So here's yet another advantage of taking each game one at a time - we just have to consider who we want to play and how we want them to play.
They will play their normal game and it will probably end up 2-2 or 2-1 either way. The league game was very unexpected, not the result, just the score.
I agree with this (feel dirty now). I don't expect to see a makeshift Arsenal team, nor will we get a easy game.
Working so will miss the first 10 minutes, looking forward to the game Arsenal are going to be a tough game at home. Think we might just sneak a draw. And take them back to Anfield. All depends in they rest a bunch of players for midweek we might get the win. As someone said a bit further up the thread, this is a tough decision for them to make. Can they afford to play a full strength side?
Arsenal need to get some momentum going so will play a strong side i should imagine. if they get revenge for the humiliation in the last game, it could have a positive effect on them for their European game,always the risk of the opposite but that's the chance you have to take now days. only risk as always is picking up injuries, but we are both hoping that doesn't happen obviously. they will want to get that 8-9 year voodoo of no cup off their back, so wont be an easy game.
