Liverpool v Arsenal – Saturday 3rd March – Anfield (14:45)
Liverpool v Arsenal
It was a spectacular Sunday for English football last weekend with a dramatic and memorable North London derby, a stinging late winner from Ryan Giggs on his 900th Manchester United appearance and a League Cup final victory for Liverpool decided on a penalty shoot-out after two goals in extra time.
After midweek international friendlies, the English Premiership is set for another cracking weekend of football. Liverpool, fresh from capturing their first trophy in six seasons entertain fourth placed Arsenal at Anfield whilst a demoralized Tottenham Hotspur outfit play host to reigning champions Manchester United at White Hart Lane.
Liverpool won their first piece of silverware in six years, beating Cardiff 3-2 on penalties, to lift the Carling Cup last Sunday. The Reds were dominant for the most part but failed to convert their possession into goals and Cardiff’s fighting spirit gave the Reds some scary moments. The Bluebirds shocked Liverpool with an early goal but the Reds finally equalised in the 60th minute thanks to Martin Skrtel and the match then went into extra-time. Late substitute Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool 2-1 up in extra-time, but again the Championship side showed great fighting spirit in equalizing two minutes before the end and thereby forcing the match into a penalty shoot-out. The Anfield outfit triumped 3-2 in the shoot-out and needed that lift. Their primary focus will now be back on the league and in particular a Champions League spot. They lie in seventh position, 7 points behind Arsenal, with a game in hand. Liverpool are unbeaten at home but have managed just four wins from twelve outings. Their failure to convert their opportunities has contributed to the eight draws. That unbeaten home record will come under serious threat from an Arsenal side fresh from their demolition of arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal got their season back on track with a 5-2 humiliation of arch-rivals Tottenham last weekend. With silverware unlikely for a seventh straight season after the Gunners’ 4-0 loss to AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 match. The hosts trailed 2-0 inside 34 minutes and looked dead and buried. However, Bacary Sagna’s header and a stunning curler from Robin van Persie brought the scores level at half-time, before Tomas Rosicky gave Arsenal the lead six minutes into the second half. Theo Walcott then scored twice to give Arsenal their biggest derby win over Tottenham since a 5-0 win at White Hart Lane in December 1978. “It was a performance full of everything you want from your team,” Wenger said. The Gunners now find themselves back in fourth spot above Chelsea, only by goals scored and will look to maintain their league form in the remaining 12 matches. However, their inconsistent away form has been their downfall this season but they did manage a great 5-3 victory over fellow Londoners Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal have been the better team going forward scoring 48 goals compared to Liverpool’s mere 29 this season and their attack has the ability to pierce holes in any defence.
Liverpool won the reverse fixture 2-0 on the opening day of the season at the Emirates but the Gunners have strengthened since and should get their revenge here as they look to build on their derby win.
