Arsenal V Liverpool

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 20th August 2011 – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Emirates Stadium

TV Coverage: LIVE on SKY SPORTS 2

Preview – The inevitable finally took place and now Arsenal have embarked on life post-Cesc Fabregas; and the early signs are hardly what you would call ‘promising’. A nervy 1-0 win over Udinese in their crucial Champions League qualifier on Tuesday – a match the Gunners were extremely fortunate not to concede in, let alone win – hasn’t exactly helped to ease fears amongst supporters who were pleading with Arsene Wenger at the Emirates in midweek to finally splash the cash in a bid to banish the club’s underachieving ways.

One club who have had a ‘no expense spared philosophy’ in a bold bid to restore their club’s winning tradition is Liverpool. The Reds have spent in excess of £100M on upgrading their player staff since Kenny Dalglish took charge back in January. Only time will tell on whether the hefty investment pays off; but ‘King Kenny’ seemingly has plenty of that, and at least the club have taken measures – some would say drastic – to try and change the direction in which the club is heading, which is more than can be said for Arsenal who, after losing their battle to keep their captain, are reportedly on the verge of losing their star performer from last season as well, just to add insult to injury, with France international Samir Nasri closing in on a deal that would see him move to Manchester City.

In the context of this match, Arsenal certainly lack appeal. Losing Fabregas, as inevitable as it was, is a massive blow, make no mistake about it, and it has affected the morale in camp judging by the team’s two mediocre performances within the space of a week, first away at Newcastle before several days later in a crucial Champions League qualifier. At St James’ Park the Gunners lacked passion and were bereft of ideas going forward without the vision and craft of Fabregas and Nasri, who’ll they once again be shorn off at the weekend; while against Udinese, an Arsenal defence which was far too easy to break down last season appears to have worsened over the course of the summer – as if that was even possible!

One man who will have watched Tuesday’s game with a fine-tooth comb would have been Kenny Dalglish, and the Scot will have made a note of how Udinese tore through Arsenal’s back-line time and time again with consummate ease. And, interestingly, the Liverpool tactician has the armoury to cause that same defence serious problems on Saturday, with Charlie Adam, Stewart Dowining and Luis Suarez now all capable of creating chances out of thin air for the Reds, who will once again be spearheaded by Andy Carroll, the striker who requires little introduction around these parts after his match-winning goal at the Emirates for Newcastle last season.

Betting – Liverpool have a rotten record away to Arsenal in the league having not won there since 2000, succumbing to six defeats in their previous ten visits to north London since then. The harsh reality is, for so long now Liverpool’s team has been inferior, and it has tolled on the pitch, especially against the Gunners. But they’ve arguably never had stronger claims to win a fixture away from home over Arsenal, and at glorious odds, I reckon Dalglish’s Reds could prove a popular selection this weekend to add to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal’s growing list of woes.

However, the Gunners are far from a club in crisis – just one in dire shape at the minute, that’s all. There cause won’t be helped by injuries and suspensions, though.

Cesc Fabregas obviously won’t feature after the former club captain – who has now been replaced by Robin Van Persie as skipper – completed his ‘dream move’ to Barcelona earlier in the week. Samir Nasri is unlikely to start due to his on-going rift with the club, and now with the Arsenal faithful after the Frenchman cited the fans and their abuse towards him as a reason why he wants out of the club (Cowardly and unjust, in my opinion!). Meanwhile Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere are both doubtful because of injuries, although Wenger will do whatever he can to have Wilshere back seeing as Alex Song and Gervinho were both handed three-match bans from the FA following Saturday’s fiesty clash with Newcastle.

Liverpool, well. Steven Gerrard is, of course, still out injured with a groin problem while defenders Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel are both doubtful through thigh and calf injuries respectively. Nothing too alarming.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 13/8 888Sport
Draw – 9/4 BetFred
Liverpool – 2/1 PaddyPower

Verdict - The Emirates has never been a favourite venue of Liverpool’s, who have actually never won there. I’m tipping that to change this weekend. Not for a long time have the Reds boasted a stronger group than Arsenal, who haven’t been their usual sexy selves on the pitch in their first two games of the season.

Players like Arshavin – who famously scored four goals at Anfield two seasons ago – and Theo Walcott are obvious threats on paper for Arsenal, mainly because of their blistering pace, but neither are bang in form. Robin Van Persie can score goals against any opposition, no one has more self-belief than the Dutchman, but even he must be apprehensive about what the imminent future holds, for not only the club but himself personally, as he was scoring goals for fun last season in a team rich in creativity containing both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Worrying times in north London then, whereas in Liverpool’s it is the exact opposite. Despite a disappointing 1-1 draw with Sunderland on the opening weekend, fans are still optimistic about the forthcoming season, and they have every reason to believe 2011/2012 could be a success with a squad full to the brim with attacking talent. I reckon they’ll have too much going forward for Wenger’s desperately frail defence to handle!

Match Prediction: Liverpool WIN – 2/1 PaddyPower
Value Bet: Liverpool 2-1 (Correct Score) – 11/1 Totesport

Arsenal V Liverpool

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 17 April 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

It’s a fixture which rarely needs a whole lot of promoting, as just the sheer mention of the two teams involved should be enough to attract a healthy audience as Arsenal, who were the most successful club in English football up until the 1960′s, before Liverpool stole their thunder, entertain a rejuvenated but still inconsistent on their travels Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London.

The sooner this season reaches its conclusion the better for Liverpool, who have very little to play for after another underwhelming campaign. The Reds are out of the running for any silverware while even the prospect of European football next season is becoming more and more of a long-shot, with fifth-placed Spurs five-points clear having played one game fewer while Man City are nine-points further up the table in fourth, with Roberto Mancini’s men clinging onto that elusive Champions League berth for dear life.

So a pointless run-in for Liverpool then, although they do have the small matter of ensuring that they don’t finish below Everton in the table. The same certainly doesn’t apply to Arsenal.

The Gunners, despite stuttering of late, are still very much in this title race and are posing the only serious threat to long-time league leaders United. Seven-points is the gap Arsene Wenger’s men must bridge if they’re to be crowned Barclay’s Premier League champions for the first time since 2003/2004, meaning Sunday’s heavyweight contest is a must-win for the Londoners, who have played one game fewer than Sir Alex’s men whom they entertain in north London on 1 May – Chelsea also have to tackle the Red Devils before the end of the season meaning there is still every chance of United being caught.

Recent history would indicate that Arsenal are the more likelier to come out on top, with the Gunners currently unbeaten in their last six competitive matches with the Reds – three wins and three draws – and haven’t lost a Premier League fixture at home to Liverpool since 2000; with a record of six wins and four draws since that reverse.

Plus, the Merseysiders have only won four of their sixteen away matches in the Premier League this season, as opposed to Arsenal’s 62% strike rate at the Emirates (W10 D3 L3).

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Arsenal

League Position: 2nd
League Form: WDDDW

Not since the turn of the Millennium have Arsenal succumbed to defeat at home to Liverpool in the Premier League – winning six of the last ten meetings in north London, however their title resolve will be tested to the fullest on Sunday when Kenny Dalglish’s resurgent Reds pay them a visit at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are seven-points adrift of league leaders Manchester United but have the opportunity to cut that lead down to size on Sunday, as Arsenal play out their game-in-hand. Furthermore, Arsene Wenger is still to welcome Sir Alex and his team to the Emirates, so all is not lost just yet though it remains an uphill struggle for a side who always make life as difficult as possible for themselves whenever the prospect of silverware is involved.

A resounding 3-1 win at Blackpool last time out – not without momentary scares, mind – helped put an end to a disconcerting pattern of three consecutive draws. We say disconcerting, it was actually destructive. Now the Gunners are not simply reliant on favours elsewhere but also that they win all six of their remaining fixtures if they’re to stand any chance of catching the long-time leaders, starting with one of their toughest this Sunday, a home meeting with an in-form, confident Liverpool side who bring with them an attacking armoury which merits the utmost respect.

Arsenal, though, will feel that they’re better equipped than most to quell Liverpool’s formidable attacking duo of Andy Carroll, who scored the only goal of the game when Newcastle secured a 1-0 victory earlier in the season in north London, and Luis Suarez. The Gunners’ defence hasn’t conceded a single goal in any of its last four home games, not since Everton’s Louis Saha scored a controversial goal on 1 February, which shouldn’t have stood for offside, while in total Arsenal have kept 12 clean sheets in 16 league games at the Emirates in 2010/2011. Impressive stuff!

Arsene Wenger also had good news for supporters on Friday when reporting for his customary pre-match press conference, with the Frenchman declaring that keeper Wojciech Szczesny, defender Johan Djourou and midfielder Denilson could all rejoin the squad for Sunday’s game after recent spells on the sidelines, although full-back Bacary Sagna is out with a knee problem. Thomas Vermealen is also back in training but is unlikely to feature.

Liverpool

League Position: 6th
League Form: LWWLW

According to most, Liverpool are now a force to be reckoned with. This a team which boasts a new-look strike-force, an expensively assembled one at that, but one which also has no commitments whatsoever heading into the final few games of the season. A top-four finish and a return to the Champions League would appear beyond them, that despite comprehensively beating fourth-placed Manchester City 3-0 last time out, while dislodging Spurs from fifth will also be a stiff ask. So Liverpool should be one team to keep on the right side of in the closing stages of the season, despite the apparent lack of incentives.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who has been a breathe of fresh air at Anfield since coming to their rescue back in January, believes these final few games are all about gathering momentum and ensuring the club ends another disappointing season without silverware on a promising note. The Reds are eight-points adrift of the Champions League places – although their demolition of fourth-placed Man City on Monday was another sign that the club are certainly heading back in the right direction and should be firmly in contention for a top-four finish, possibly even more, next season – while they trail Spurs in fifth by five-points having played one game more. So you can fully understand why the Scot isn’t aiming for the stars this season.

Although supporters already have one eye on next term, don’t make the same mistake I made a week previous in thinking that Kenny and his players are in the same mindset. With very little at stake between now and the end of the season, I wasn’t expecting a lot from Liverpool in the closing stages. Boy was I made to look foolish when they turned up at Anfield on Monday fired up and in the mood to play some swashbuckling football; demolishing a usually well-oiled Man City side with some of their slickest football they’ve played all season. To top if off, Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez linked up to devastating affect and could be a formidable strike-duo in the making.

As sublime as they were against Roberto Mancini’s men, Liverpool have to start replicating their performance at home on their travels. They’ve improved on the road under Dalglish, but as recent away defeats to West Ham (3-1) and West Brom (2-1) shown, there is still a lot to be done on Liverpool’s away game and it is this reason and this reason alone why I feel the Reds will probably be undone at the Emirates on Sunday.

In fairness, their cause won’t be helped by a terrible bout of injuries, in particular at the back. Kenny Dalglish handed youngster John Flanagan his Premier League début on Monday and is set to call on the teenage right-back again in London, with Fabio Aurelio operating on the opposite flank. It will be interesting to see how the pair of them handle Arsenal’s speedy wing duo of Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin – while there’s also the possibility of Liverpool being overrun and outmanoeuvred in the centre of the park without their talisman, with Steven Gerrard ruled out for the rest of the season. Step up to the plate Lucas and Raul Meireles, then.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League ONLY)

Arsenal wins: 11
Draws: 12
Liverpool wins: 14

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
2009/2010: Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool
2009/2010: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
2008/2009: Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
2008/2009: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
2007/2008: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
2007/2008: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
2006/2007: Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal
2006/2007: Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Arsenal to WIN – 1.75 WilliamHill

Liverpool were outstanding last time out, and they certainly have the striking prowess to cause problems at the Emirates, but injuries all over the pitch – especially in defence, where their inexperienced and exposed full-backs will be put to the test but the skilful and pacey duo of Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin and Theo Walcott – will only hinder their chances of success on Sunday in a fixture the hosts can ill-afford to drop a single point in.

I have no doubt that Luis Suarez will weave his way in and out of an unconvincing Arsenal defence, one which doesn’t fill any pundit with confidence but has nevertheless kept an impressive amount of clean sheets at home this season (12/16), while Andy Carroll will be a constant threat from the air, especially from set-plays, which was incidentally where he scored the winner for Newcastle on his last visit to the Emirates. So Liverpool should five as good as they get. However, Arsenal’s technical superiority should tell, especially if they get the most out of the flanks, while there’s almost been no stopping Robin Van Persie in front of goal.

Certainly no banker-accumulator material, however Arsenal should provide Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish with further food for thought on Sunday. A narrow home victory for me.

Value Bet: Arsenal to WIN by 1 Goal (Winning Margin) – 3.75 Bet365

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 1.75 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.80 VictorChandler
Liverpool – 5.50 VictorChandler

More information:
Betting tips

Arsenal V Liverpool

Wednesday, 10^th February – 19:45 GMT (Sky Sports 2)

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: WWDLL

Arsenal, after a torrid couple of outings, will be gunning for an important victory over another rival when they entertain Liverpool at The Emirates. The Gunners’ title bid has been derailed after a visit from Man Utd and a trip to Stamford Bridge, but now Liverpool come to town in a game Arsenal simply have to win, not only to keep their slim title dreams alive but also to avoid being drawn into this fight for fourth place.

Arsene Wenger’s side were once so prominent in the league table but are now contemplating life in the remainder of the season in a top four scrap as defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday night would drag Arsenal right back into this intriguing contest. However, Arsenal have yet to lose a Premiership fixture to Liverpool at The Emirates, while you’ll have to stretch your memory banks back to February, 2000 for Liverpool’s last victory on Arsenal soil. Perhaps it will be fate that sees Arsenal’s run of eight league games at home unbeaten against their Merseyside opponents vanish, nearly a decade to the day after Liverpool last won on Arsenal soil. 

Arsenal were largely disappointing again on Sunday in yet another huge clash the Gunners didn’t come out on top in. Moreover, Arsenal are now on the verge of completing an unwanted hat-trick of home defeats against the so called ‘Big Four’. However, Liverpool haven’t been up to scratch all season and you would have to make Arsenal firm favourites despite their poor showing at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. That defeat did, however, come quickly off the back of a home defeat to Manchester United the weekend before, so to lose two crunch games in such a short space of time must be like taking a sledgehammer to the confidence and morale of the Arsenal camp. 

The positives about Arsenal’s performance at the weekend was their ability to retain possession for long periods of the game. However, this was largely ineffective because they did next to nothing with it, with clear cut chances a rarity for The Gunners in the clash at The Bridge, with Arsenal surprisingly lacking that cutting edge in the final third. The concern, though, was their poor defence… once again! When Arsenal are having to chase back and defend they look a mess. Two weekends in a row now Arsenal have been caught napping at the back from counter-attacks and have been severely punished for it. An Arsenal defence, which had kept four clean sheets in it’s last seven league games, has now shipped five in it’s last two and you would have to have some level of doubts over the confidence and form of that Arsenal back four heading into another high-pressured game.

Liverpool

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: DWDWW

Rafael Benitez will have been delighted with his teams efforts in what was a full-blooded encounter at the battle of Anfield with local rivals Everton. To come off the pitch with no lasting injuries was a minor miracle in itself but to leave their beloved ground with all three points, despite being reduced to 10 men during the first half, was an outstanding result and one that extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games. Now, though, Liverpool have an even bigger task on their hands as they aim to banish their poor record at Arsenal when they take on The Gunners at The Emirates.

It was carnage at Anfield as tackles were flying in, elbows were being flung and cards were being dished out like it was Christmas. One player who will now miss this trip to Arsenal is Kyriakos, whom has been one of Liverpool’s star players in this seven match unbeaten run of theirs. A rash lunge from the Greek centre-back meant he received an instant red and he will now miss Liverpool’s next three encounters. The lanky Greek will be sorely missed as he’s been somewhat of a rock in defence for the Reds as they kept their fourth successive league clean sheet on Saturday. Then again, his main strength is his aerial ability and Arsenal won’t pose a threat from the air, and so, someone more agile is required anyway – Someone like Daniel Agger, for instance.

It’s bewildering to think that Liverpool are now the inform team of the two considering the Merseyside club have endured a drastic season to date. However, they are a team that haven’t lost in seven outings in the Premiership and are the side that have clawed their way back into Champions League contention, with five wins from their last seven. Moreover, Rafa’s men will be brimming with confidence after they finally regained fourth spot on Saturday after a perfect weekend of results for them.

However, we will be the party pooper by saying that Liverpool do possess a very untidy away record of 4-3-5, with the reds without an away win in their last two outings; drawing at both Stoke City & Wolves, both low scoring affairs. Their last away win came at Villa Park when they beat Aston Villa 1-0 in a game they never deserved to win. Moreover, their performances away from home on the whole have been abysmal and it will take some effort, regardless of Arsenal’s recent disappointments, to turn Arsenal over on their own patch. This is especially true when you hear that Liverpool haven’t managed to score more than two goals in an away Premiership fixture since the 29^th November, when Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park, six away games ago.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Arsenal have recently gone off the boil while Liverpool haven’t exactly excelled in this seen match unbeaten run of theirs. Also, these two sides have played out a 1-1 draw in their last two encounters at The Emirates. Three if you include their 1-1 draw in the Champions League a couple of seasons ago. At The Emirates, you would fancy Arsenal to bounce back from any defeat but they are up against a rejuvenated Liverpool side who could prove to be the thorn in their side. However, The Gunners have been very impressive at home throughout the season, with only a few blips against the very best tarnishing what would have been a very strong home record. Liverpool have the form and plenty of momentum but I reckon both sides will have to settle for a point come the end, of which neither side would be too disgruntled with.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 2.10 Bet365

Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Liverpool – 3.90 Expekt

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Under 2.5 Goals – 1.80 Bet365

This could turn out to be a foolish selection but neither have been impressing in front of goal of late, with Arsenal without a recognised forward, although Nicklas Bendnter could make his long-awaited return from injury for this clash, while Liverpool have been winning games by the odd goal and with the help of some tidy defending. Arsenal have now failed to score in their last three Premiership fixtures, while Liverpool haven’t conceded a goal in the league in over 440 minutes of league action. A run which would have been longer were it not for a late Huth equaliser against Stoke. That’s the only goal Pepe Reina has conceded in his last seven league appearances and so he’ll be full of confidence in the Liverpool goal.

Arsenal are struggling for fire-power and creativity up front while Liverpool have been repelling all invaders of late. You could say a goal rush is well overdue but the form and displays from both sides would indicate another low scoring encounter could be on the cards, with a fourth 1-1 draw in succession at The Emirates between the two not a bad shout.

Advisable Selections:

1-1 Correct Score – 6/1 SkyBet

Nicklas Bendnter Anytime Scorer – 9/4 Coral

Dirk Kuyt Anytime Scorer – 13/5 Coral