13-12-2009 Liverpool vs Arsenal

This is one of the biggest games of the season and sees Struggling Liverpool entertain the brilliant but inconsistent Arsenal.

Liverpool have made a poor start to the season and really need a good performance to reward their great fan base after a torrid time this season. Occupying a lowly seventh place in the league, and having already crashed out of the Champions league, so far it;s not a season to remember for Reds fans. Much has been down to injuries to star players Gerrard and Torres, and the lack of players available to fill their boots. David Ngog has battled willfullly up front for Liverpool in Torres’ absence, and is expected to do so again this weekend. A liverpool team with local hero Steven Gerrard in the team is always difficult to beat and he will want a victory over Arsenal more than anyone. Liverpool fans will also have something to get excited about this weekend for a change – with the expected debut of £20 million signing Aquilani. brought in from italy in the summer, he is expected to furnish the liverpool side with much needed creative drive and much will be hoped of him this weekend.

Arsenal have started the season in fits and starts and find themselves in familiar territory – third place in the league, with a bit of ground to make up on Manchester United and Chelsea. Despite a purple patch in mid October and November, Arsenal have had mixed results recently, perhaps significantly following the injury of top scorer Robin Van Persie. With Niclas Bendtner and Theo Walcott already sidelined, Arsenal do look a bit short up front and are having to rely on Andrei Arshavin’s goal scoring instincts as he adopts to the unfamiliar role of striker from his usual attacking midfield role. The Arsenal team is absolutely packed with creative talent and on their day they are a match for anyone, but I just wonder if a cold december afternoon in Liverpool against a team desperate for a win will suit them at the moment.

As we approach the halfway point in the season the pressure begins to tell for all teams but Liverpool find themselves in a position unknown to them in recent years and I think that this, along with the driving force of Steven Gerrard in midfield will be enough for them to shade this one.

Verdict: Home win Liverpool