Arsenal vs Liverpool - Pre Match Thread (PL)

Saturday, 5th April, 12:45 KO


Well what a game we have here then. I don't think this game will have an effect on the Champions League game on Tuesday, and I don't think it'll be as intense as the one that was played Wedensday night.

I feel that Rafa will make a fair few changes for this game. He knows we cannot win the Premiership this season, and he knows we are a good five points ahead of Everton who sit in 5th place in the league.

I would go for this team;

-------------------Reina
---Finnan----Hyypia----Skrtel-----Riise
---Pennant---Lucas----Alonso---Benayoun
--------------Crouch--Voronin

It's quite obvious that we won't win the Premiership this season, and I feel we are too strong to allow Everton to finish 5th so I'd seriously go for this team. Give Carragher, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Babel & Torres a rest. Or is that too many key players to be resting? I think it's obvious that a lot of our players are feeling jaded, especially Torres & Babel so I think if we want to really win at Anfield in the return leg, we'll need players such as these feeling as fresh as possible!

       Reina

finnan carra Skrtel Riise

     Lucas Xabi

Yossi    gerrard   JP

           Crouch

- dont play sami 3 games in a row imo he struggles which is more than understandable.

- rest torres, masch, babel, kuyt, arbeloa and fabio.

- stevie can handle the games and thrives upon these big matches.

- give crouch a go he needs a game.

- JP was effective on the left last season why not give it a go again, yossi is good on the right.

- bring on babel late on to the same 'impact' effect as earlier in the season.

Back to the old bread and butter then.

I'd have Hyypia rested for this as well and either Arbeloa or Finnan get a game. Will be interesting to see if either Babel or Kuyt are given a blow too.

I think with Rafa applying the same formation for the league and the champions league, then I wouldn't be surprised to see it again this Saturday. So that would probably mean no game for Crouch. Wonder if we'll see Voronin/Pennant replace Kuyt on the right? Or Benayoun on the left for Babel?

Just as important to get the three points. Not only to keep a some daylight between us and the bitters, but also it would do our confidence the world of good going back to Anfield.

Last season, we won this tie 3 - 0 I think. Now we need the 3 points desperately.

We need to rest Hyypia. Play Finnan and Arbeloa as wing backs. Play a 4 - 4 - 2 formation and have Pennant Gerrard Alonso and Benanyun in the midfield.

Strikers: Crouch & Babel.

Too bad we cant make Kewell earn his exceptionally high wages.

Saturday, 5th April, 12:45 KO


Well what a game we have here then. I don't think this game will have an effect on the Champions League game on Tuesday, and I don't think it'll be as intense as the one that was played Wedensday night.

I feel that Rafa will make a fair few changes for this game. He knows we cannot win the Premiership this season, and he knows we are a good five points ahead of Everton who sit in 5th place in the league.

I would go for this team;
-------------------Reina
---Finnan----Hyypia----Skrtel-----Riise
---Pennant---Lucas----Alonso---Benayoun
--------------Crouch--Voronin

I would go for a very similar team, in fact would only change Sami H for Carra.

I think Gerrard and Torres will play a part, even if they start from the bench.

San Jose and Nemeth will have places in our first team next season, for sure ...maybe Hobbs too if or when he returns, that I would hope he does.

Best 11 always for me. Rotation in formation, but always best 11

Last season, we won this tie 3 - 0 I think. Now we need the 3 points desperately.

We need to rest Hyypia. Play Finnan and Arbeloa as wing backs. Play a 4 - 4 - 2 formation and have Pennant Gerrard Alonso and Benanyun in the midfield.

Strikers: Crouch & Babel.

Too bad we cant make Kewell earn his exceptionally high wages.

Out of your two opinions I would be agreed with the second one Solodee!  Except I think we should even rest Babel to keep him fresh for the vital return leg next Wednesday, and play Voronin like Ra Ra suggested in the opening post. The team might have a few problems predicting one anothers moves as it isn't the XI we play every week, but they train together all the time and are paid professionals, so I would count this as an opportunity for them to prove their worth once and for all. So many of them struggle for a place that they should play their socks off, and they have no excuses for fitness as they are well rested.

I am catiously optimistic for this one... It's almost impossible to predict, it's hard enough every week, but here we have no idea whether Rafa will rotate, and what Wenger might do as well!  I reckon we should get a draw at least, and we shouldn't think about the Bitters. Even if they scrape a result against Derby who will be playing for pride, they still have quite a tough run-in and they'll drop more points IMO.

Out of your two opinions I would be agreed with the second one Solodee!  Except I think we should even rest Babel to keep him fresh for the vital return leg next Wednesday, and play Voronin like Ra Ra suggested in the opening post. The team might have a few problems predicting one anothers moves as it isn't the XI we play every week, but they train together all the time and are paid professionals, so I would count this as an opportunity for them to prove their worth once and for all. So many of them struggle for a place that they should play their socks off, and they have no excuses for fitness as they are well rested.

I am catiously optimistic for this one... It's almost impossible to predict, it's hard enough every week, but here we have no idea whether Rafa will rotate, and what Wenger might do as well!  I reckon we should get a draw at least, and we shouldn't think about the Bitters. Even if they scrape a result against Derby who will be playing for pride, they still have quite a tough run-in and they'll drop more points IMO.

Thinking we should start Babel from the bench. King Kenny said this earlier. Babel didn't show up for the game yesterday.Benanyun should start ahead of him.

Thinking we should start Babel from the bench. King Kenny said this earlier. Babel didn't show up for the game yesterday.Benanyun should start ahead of him.

I agree with you there. We have seen several times this season that his pace is even more effective in the last 20 minutes as the opponents defence is tired, and I don't think a little run-out Saturday will tire him before the mid-week match!

Last season, we won this tie 3 - 0 I think. Now we need the 3 points desperately.

We need to rest Hyypia. Play Finnan and Arbeloa as wing backs. Play a 4 - 4 - 2 formation and have Pennant Gerrard Alonso and Benanyun in the midfield.

Strikers: Crouch & Babel.

Too bad we cant make Kewell earn his exceptionally high wages.

Lost it 3-0.

Wes should use pennant on the left imo, Benny on the right.

The KO time is a real bummer similar as FA Cup, plus Aintree, plus wife wants me to cut down a Holly tree the size of the house. L.pool game will of course come first. As for the game, I can not see us getting much out of it as Rafa will not want any injuries, Masher is banned, and selling the Big Issue for his fine, Arsh@le W@nker will want something after that blaintttttttttttttttant penalty, (sorry it ain't a pen if the ref don't give it, as it was not a pen against Chavski but it was given, so get over it and move on), May be a 0-0 or a loss, but you never know we may win, ouch those splinters are hurting  .
4-4-2, or 4-5-1 I think, we should go for the more defensive play as if we lose, the BS will as sure be 2 points behind us on Sun as they are playing Derby.

Lost it 3-0.

Wes should use pennant on the left imo, Benny on the right.

Nope at this particular point last season We beat them 4 - 1

Yeah at home i mean the same fixture i.e. us vs. them at their ground

I agree with resting some of our top players but think we can put out more fringe players that the arse can, as we have a bigger squad. What we dont want to do is put out a side that loses by two or three goals thinking it's not that important, That will only raise the arse's confidence for Tuesday. What we need to do, is rest the top players and play a more defensive line up to frustrate the arse and make them work flat out. Perhaps knock a few into row z with some solid passionate tackling. Could be an occasion to try a few reserve team players as well. A good draw will be o.k. for us and devastating for the arse's prem challenge. Although i have to say, i'd rather they won it than the mancs, just not at our expense.

True we need to do well in this game. 2  big factors we need to remember.

1. We lose this arsenals confidence will go up before the second leg we do not want that.

2. If we lose and the bitters win their game (not sure who they got but hoping they will lose ) the gap will be reduced to just 2 points (once again touch wood that doesnt happen).

I dont want any injuries but we need to put out a strong side capable of winning the game while still resting some players.

2. If we lose and the bitters win their game (not sure who they got but hoping they will lose ) the gap will be reduced to just 2 points (once again touch wood that doesnt happen).

Derby at home

We need to have a go at Arsenal, be attack minded. Let them plan to defend against us. So the best option is a 4-4-2 formation with the wing backs overlapping with the LM & RM. Best formation.

                  Reina

Arbeloa  Carragher  Skrtel  Riise

Pennant  Gerrard  Lucas  Benanyun

        Crouch  Voronin

Sub: Torres Itanje Kuyt Babel

I hope Voronin can hit a semblance of some form that brought that brilliant performance before the injury.

Arsenal looks like they will use Bartender & Walcock. Reports out that Adebayor & Van Pierse are injured.

http://kop-tv.com/go/headlines/two-gunners-set-to-miss-out/

So you don't think Idtanje will start then??

I hope Rafa dosen't rest too many, plays havoc with me fantasy premier team

I know a few people are leaning towards the idea of giving a good few bench warmers a go in this game, but I think it will be criminal myself.

Arsenal will only rest one or two players - maybe in the attacking and midfield mould. But their system will still be the same. They'll still play the ball around like they know how to. So for us to make a lot of changes would be asking for trouble. I don't buy the 'some players will be tired' notion now. This is the business end of the season and we have to keep a rhythm going. If there's some area's our players feel they could personally do better than the last game against them, then why deny them the chance to make it better?

This game is a must win one. Three points would be great and very important but the belief that we can take home to Anfield is even more valuable.

Arsenal looks like they will use Bartender & Walcock.

Ahahaha haven't heard that one, anyway news is that Masch is suspended for two more premier league games, he won't be starting this one.

Yep, its a sneaky one alright. Not really sure what this one will serve up and I think that adds to the anticipation in the build up. Beating the BS gave us the luxury of not losing fourth spot if we don't get maximum points from this one. The arse will probably stick to their "guns" as it were, as they looked strong attacking us but I reckon it won't be as tight. If the bench warmers do get a run, they will want to play for a spot in Tuesday's game so they might give it more of a go. Crouchie was the difference (Threefold) against them at Anfield last season and might have something to prove...if he gets a run of course.

Its all in the air for me, could go either way and while I'm not expecting a draw, I wouldn't be too disappointed with one.

Walk on

Rest some players but not too much, 3 points is vital and the Bitters arent shutting up shop yet.

                         Reina

  Arbeloa      Carragher     Skrtel     Riise

                        Alonso

    Pennant        Gerrard      Benayoun

                  Crouch    Torres

Need to rest some but leave those players who are capable of winning matches or saving them. Arsenal will be doing the same thing so i dont see a major risk in it. Crouchy deserves a crack especially since he hit a hatty last time! Hoping we use this and a draw wouldnt bother me too much but we cant lose this. Thinking a 1-0 or 2-1 win to us

Is Mascheranos ban effective immediately if it is not I cannot see RAFA not playing him.I am a believer in playing the strongest available at all times.Lets face it footballers get longer holidays than the working man and should be able to take the pressure of playing in 3 games in a week.I know I am getting on a bit but I can recall when footballers played 3 games in 4 days over Easter and quite often it was the same 11 players, ( no subs then.

Not when we have a CL semi spot up for grabs against the same team mate, i see there is reason to rotate this week. And that ban was effective as of Saturday but got extended a further 2 games.