By Fab4.
Tonight is massive. Not just for Arsenal, but for Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United as all four face tough matches in the Premier League tonight. Obviously Arsenal vs Liverpool at the Emirates is the box office game, but Chelsea’s trip to Everton and United’s to Aston Villa will be just as important.
For Arsene Wenger priority number one is three points against Liverpool. Arsenal have to beat Liverpool tonight, full-stop. An third consecutive defeat against top-four opposition is almost unthinkable. Confidence will hit an all-time low and will leave Arsenal in danger of losing third spot in the league. A draw will end any slim hopes of the Premier League title. No, only three points will do tonight.
Once three points are in the bag, then and only then, can Arsene cast a hopeful eye on the results from elsewhere.
Winning our home games is vital, but winning them on a night when United and Chelsea face tough away games makes them even more valuable. It is not inconceivable that both Everton and Aston Villa take at least a point against Chelsea and Man Utd. Goodison Park and Villa Park are tough grounds to visit for any team. The fixture list has given Arsenal an immediate opportunity to gain ground on the top two.
Arsene is retaining his belief that Arsenal could still win the title as we have played all our games against the best already. As Arsene Wenger himself points out in his pre-match interview, the remaining games between the top sides are vitally important as it guarantees one of our rivals will drop points.
“I believe everybody at the top will drop points because they all play each other,” said Wenger. “We don’t play them anymore and so it’s down to how consistent we will be until the end of the season.”
“It will be tight and we must get on a run now. But when you’ve lost two in a row you worry more about winning the next one and coming back to a winning habit. At the moment, that is my more immediate concern. So the future is this game.”
Three homes wins will do me tonight!
Arsenal vs Liverpool Preview:
Arsenal remain without the services of Eduardo who is still out with a hamstring problem, he may however make the trip to Porto next week. Niklas Bendtner may still not be fit enough to start according to Arsene Wenger.
“I don’t know about him,” said Wenger. “He had a good session on Monday so we’ll see how he responds to that.
“I would love to [start him] but you can see he’s not completely free in the way he runs so we have to see what we do.”
Lets hope Big Nik does start because we could do with him. But i have a feeling Arsene has one eye on the Porto tie next week and wants to protect him for that.
Apart from that Arsenal are unchanged from the side that lost to Chelsea. I would give Thomas Rosicky a start in place of either Theo or Nasri.
My starting line-up would be:
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Song
Fabregas Diaby
Rosicky Arshavin
Bendtner
That side would beat Liverpool tonight, but don’t be surprised if you see Nasri, Walcott and even Denilson from the start. Either way i am confident of victory tonight, simply because anything but it a disaster.
Liverpool will be without Alberto Aquilani due to illness, and centre-back Sotirios Kyrigiakos starts a 3-match ban after being sent off against Everton.
Martin Skrtel is likely to replace him with Jamie Carragher continuing at right-back in place of the injured Glen Johnson. Thankfully Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun are still out. So Liverpool have problems of there own and Steven Gerrard is not on top form either.
Lets hope for a good night tonight Arsenal fans.
Come on Arsenal, Everton and Villa!!!
