Arsenal team news and Preview of Liverpool clash
Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League last weekend by beating fellow Londoners Crystal Palace 2-0 at the Emirates. The win came after what had been a disappointing transfer window as well as an infuriating previous match, which saw the Gunners draw 2-2 with Southampton and drop temporarily into 2nd place.
Now Arsenal will be looking to make it two wins on the trot so our Premier League title push remains intact. Currently the Gunners sit two points ahead of Man City and Chelsea, but we probably have a harder run in to the end of the season than them and so anything could happen. Furthermore with Manchester City likely to continue the trend of running riot against lower opposition, it’s vital that we stick to grabbing all three points at every opportunity.
As I’m sure you are aware, Arsenal now go into their first tough period, which sees them come up against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Manchester United in the league and Liverpool twice in both the FA Cup and Premier League, all in the space of just under three weeks. First up for the Gunners is the Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield today.
Arsenal head into the game with a close eye on the injury list that has seen no new faces join, but Wilshere and Vermaelen could return, whilst Rosicky has also recovered from a nose injury. Ramsey is still a little while away, whilst Theo Walcott and Kim Kallstrom will be out for much longer. With that noted, I therefore think Arsenal will line up as follows:
Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Arteta Chamberlain
Cazorla Ozil Podolski
Giroud
I think that, although we have Manchester United midweek and Wenger will no doubt be have that poking from the back of his mind, he will also need to field a full strength side against a Liverpool team that could still have a chance of challenging for a champions league place. I think the trio of Podolski, Ozil and Cazorla worked well for the Gunners in the previous game because normally the two wide men don’t tend to play together. But it offered, creativity, pace and that all important eye for goal and I think those three aspects will be vital against a Liverpool side that still struggles to contain in defence.
What Arsenal mainly need to look out for is the punishing Liverpool counter attack and the strike force that has been ever so deadly this season. A prediction is difficult to say however of course I would hope the Gunners win and hopefully win without any real nervy moments and causes for concern.
