please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Arsenal take on Liverpool at the Emirates this Wednesday night as both teams seek to claim a place in the top four by the end of the season. The FA Cup took centre stage last weekend and Arsenal and Liverpool had mixed fortunes. The Gunners overcame a spirited Brighton at the AMEX, while Liverpool were dumped out the competition by league one’s Oldham Athletic. It was an embarrassing afternoon for Brendon Rodger’s men and now they will have to pick themselves up ahead of their trip to the Emirates. After the defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal have responded with back to back wins. Before their win over Brighton in the FA Cup, the Gunners trashed West Ham in the league, and took full advantage of their game hand. So, Arsenal have made a recovery of sorts, but Liverpool are a step up from the likes of West Ham and Brighton, and their attack will really test the Arsenal defence. With the two Manchester teams set to battle it out for the title, the other two places in the top four has seen a lot more competition this season. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, currently occupy third and fourth spot, but the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool still have hopes of finishing in one of those top four places by the end of the season. So this game between Arsenal and Liverpool is seen as a crunch game by many. Should Liverpool lose, then their top four dreams would take a serious hit, but they have been in some good form in the league over recent weeks. From their last four league games, they have won three and lost one. The loss came against Manchester United at Old Trafford. In their last league game, they trashed Norwich at Anfield, and in that display they showed their attacking capabilities. Arsenal defeated and outplayed Liverpool when the two met earlier in the season at Anfield. Arsenal were stunning on the day and it was one of the best displays this season. Abou Diaby in particular had an excellent game and after returning from an injury, he could get his chance to put in another stellar performance against Liverpool. Liverpool have had a mixed season so far compared to their efforts in the previous season. Under the management of Bendan Rodgers, they have improved their form in the league, but unlike last season, they have not progressed in the two domestic cup competitions. They are currently seven points off the last Champions League spot, and with a gap like that to make up, they can’t afford many more costly slip up’s. Luis Suarez has without a doubt been Liverpool’s best player this season and he has after Robin Van Persie, been arguably the best player in England this season. Suarez has 16 goals to his name in the league and only Van Persie has scored more. He has found the sort of goal scoring form that he was showing at Ajax this season and that added to his all round game, makes him one of the best forwards around. Suarez will pose the biggest threat to the Arsenal defence on Wednesday. Unlike Arsenal, Liverpool have invested some money on players in this January transfer window by buying Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea. It was a gamble because despite his obvious talents, his attitude and decision making has not always been up to the required standard. However, Sturridge has got off to a bright start at Liverpool by already scoring three goals in his four appearances. The young Englishmen has the talent to cause Arsenal problems but he can just as easily disappear. In midfield, Liverpool can again rely on the service of Lucas Levia, the Brazilian has returned from a long term injury and he will try and disrupt Arsenal’s passing game in the heart of the midfield. Steven Gerrard needs no introduction, everyone should be aware of the threat he possess and the quality he still has. Liverpool record against the other teams in the top ten this season has been poor. They have failed to beat any of the other teams in the current top ten, and that’s where they have struggled. They can take heart from the second half performance at Old Trafford but they know that they have to play like that for the whole game, if they are to beat a team like Arsenal at the Emirates. Last season, Liverpool beat Arsenal for the first time at the Emirates, but in recent years, Arsenal have without doubt had the edge over Liverpool in the head to head meetings. From their last six league games, Arsenal have won half of them and if they beat Liverpool on Wednesday, then they would have achieved three wins on the bounce against the Reds. Thomas Vermaelen is expected to recover in time for the game on Wednesday and after a less than stellar defensive showing at Brighton, Arsenal will need him. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, and Theo Walcott are expected to come back into the team after they were rested for the trip to Brighton. The one player Arsenal really missed in their win over Brighton was Kieran Gibbs. His replacement Andre Santos had another game to forget. Thankfully Gibbs should be back for the game against Liverpool and Arsenal won’t need to use Andre Santos. Olivier Giroud bagged two excellent goals against Brighton last weekend and he also scored two in the win over West Ham last week. So the French forward is starting hit some real form and it was much needed. Giroud has yet to display his best on a consistent basis and that is somewhat understandable for a player that is still in his first season at a new club and country. Giroud though has yet to make a real impact in a game against one of the so called top teams, so on Wednesday he has the chance to amend that and with the form he is in, he has every chance of doing well against Liverpool. Theo Walcott also scored in Arsenal’s win in the fourth round of the cup, and that goal was his 18 goal in all competitions this season. Walcott is finally getting amongst the goals and his threat from that right hand side will give Liverpool all sorts of problems, if they allow him too much space. Aaron Ramsey has started in Arsenal's last two games and he had played in the deepest midfield position in the absences of Mikel Arteta. And the Welshmen has performed well, showing some decent form by just keeping it simple and covering a lot of ground. It remains to be seen if Arsene Wenger will trust Ramsey in such a position against a team like Liverpool. Wenger also has the option of Abou Diaby to consider ahead of the game against the Reds. With only three points separating the two sides, this game between Arsenal and Liverpool could be crucial as two of the biggest clubs in England go head to head at the Emirates this Wednesday. Team News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs: Liverpool: Played: 210 Wins: 75 Draws: 55 Losses: 80 For: 267 Against: 290 GD: -23 Last 6 Meetings: Liverpool 0 - 2 Arsenal Liverpool 1 - 2 Arsenal Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool Liverpool 1 - 1 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 0 Liverpool please log in to view this image Manager's Views: Arsene Wenger on how Liverpool might react to their FA Cup exit: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
I'm not looking forward to this at all, if we go at you and attack then I think we'll have a chance, if we don't and we sit back and invite pressure on ourselves then I think we'll get shat on!
Think you're the favourites... We've struggled against our rivals this year, but beaten the teams below us (the direct opposite of usual). Depends which Liverpool turn up really... Don't think the cup game is an indicator of anything though.
We are on the up in the league and Liverpool are still finding their feet with Rodgers. Our attack is buzzing at the moment and will be a touch too much for them. Apart from a few players, they don't have many outstanding players, and Sturridge and Suarez are yet to combine as a proper threat. 3-1 to the Arsenal.
Considering you are just 3 points ahead of us and both losing to utd and the chavs respectively, followed up by a 5-1 win for you and 5-0 win for us........I find that comment strange. Still think you will win though.
True, we haven't had a particularly good season so far, but we look to be getting it together at the moment. Liverpool is still gelling as a unit with Rodgers, so your results will be naturally more up and down. Playing top teams like Arsenal away from home will be difficult for you, until your team is set under Rodgers.
Arteta is out, so either Diaby or Ramsey will likely play. Other than that, this is likely to be the team. A fast start, quick passing, aggression & movement will win this game for Arsenal. They need to score early really as there isn't much on the bench that can come on to inject late pace.
I think it all depends on how we start this game. Against City and Chelsea we barley bothered to even turn up, before outplaying them in the second half. Against West Ham we were at them from the off and got our reward. We need to make sure we start this game in the same fashion. We can't afford to let Liverpool get any momentum and end up chasing the game again.
Anything less than a win tomorrow will be a huge disappointment, i would personally go with vermalen and kos as the centre back pairing as their speed and sharpness across the ground leaves them better equipped to deal with suarez sterling and sturridge's movement. It really does always depend on the start we make, if we sharp and pass the ball quickly then i think we'll win the game. Also think that it would be unfair not to start podolski and obviously with giroud's double at the weekend he has to start up front. And walcott will probably get the nod over oxo. In midfield though i really hope that wenger goes with diaby wilshere and cazorla, ramsey may have done well in that holding role but diaby is better equipped to play their even though personally i'd like to see him in a more advanced position but with wilshere and cazorla in their it makes logical sense that diaby be more defensive of the three.
TV and Kos dont work as well together as either with Mert. Too similar and both attack the ball leaving gapping spaces behind. And OP, is that Walcott and Johnson as a match-up? Arent they both right sided players so will be the opposite side of the pitch?
If we start with the line-up that SJW has suggested (with possibly Kos for Merts because they have no height up front) then I'll be confident. A forward line of Pod, Giroud and Theo, with Santi, Jack and whoever is available Rams / Art / Diaby should be good enough against that Liverpool side. Liverpool in my opinion are over-performing this season and we should win comfortably IF we turn up.
Excellent match thread! As a Liverpool fan, i'm slightly apprehensive going into this game. The Oldham result was appalling but we have responded well to defeats so far this season so i'm hoping for a similar response. Would be happy with a point as we have a pretty poor record at your place. (Last season being the exception!) Here's to a good game!
I think we're all going into this match pretty much thinking it's a must win for us. I'd be a bit disappointed with a draw, but hoping for a good game all the same
