A fortnight ago, Arsene Wenger hoped this meeting with Liverpool – the final game in a testing four-match run that began with Aston Villa away and took in Chelsea and Manchester United – would confirm Arsenal's standing in a tight, three-way battle for the title. Not any more.
Instead, after claiming just one point from a possible nine, Wenger's side face the Merseysiders having fallen nine points off the pace set by leaders Chelsea and knowing that defeat will leave them placed just two points ahead of a resurgent Liverpool.
The manner of the defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United exposed Arsenal's defensive weaknesses, however, while their failure to take a number of chances has raised fresh questions about the manager's failure to bring in cover for the injured Robin van Persie during the January transfer window.
A group of players that performed impressively to claw back an 11-point deficit and enjoyed a brief spell at the head of the table last month now look far less convincing.
Wenger, though, remains defiant insisting his side are still capable of returning to the head of the table and claims that, with 13 games to go, his belief is based on sound reason and not simply blind faith.
"We have promised ourselves to fight and not to give up until the final game of the season," said the Arsenal manager. "And there was been a lot of promise in the last game that shows we can fight until the final seconds of the season.
"At the moment everyone is negative about Arsenal. We have to live with that, and we have to prove them wrong."
And he added: "Our belief is that we have a chance for the title. It is still possible mathematically and can happen if you look at the fixtures. And if we do not have that belief, it can never happen. It's down to how much we can believe and how much we can stick together."
Strategy: Against both Chelsea and United, Arsenal were undone on the break, with their back four apparently lacking the discipline to respond coherently when stretched. Wenger has conceded his side must improve, but it goes against the manager's natural instincts to impose a more cautious approach. What he will demand, however, is that his defenders take greater responsibility and eliminate the alarming rash of individual errors.
Injury Update: Nicklas Bendtner appeared as a second half substitute against Chelsea on Sunday, but Wenger remains concerned that forward has not yet fully recovered from a groin problem. Eduardo misses out again with a hamstring problem while van Persie's knee injury will keep him out until April.
Arsenal vs Liverpool FC live
10-02-2010 from 20:45 until 22:45(ET)
Live/Repeat : LIVE
Barclays Premier League 2009/2010
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10-02-2010 from 20:45 until 22:45(ET)
Live/Repeat : LIVE
Barclays Premier League 2009/2010
watch-football-online.co.uk
LIVERPOOL:
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is wary of a backlash from Wenger's side after their consecutive defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League meetings, but Arsenal beat them them at Anfield earlier this season and Benitez is hoping that does not repeat itself here.
He said: "Arsenal are a good team but we've had very good games against them here and in Liverpool. We won 4-1 one time and the 4-4 was an amazing game as well last season.
"The last game we lost we were on top of them in the first half. An own goal changed everything and we were in a bad moment with not much confidence. We have more confidence now."
"Sometimes it's more difficult playing against teams who have lost because they will try to prove something. I was watching the game against Chelsea. You can talk about the result now but they had some opportunities and around 70 per cent of possession.
Benitez also praised the job Wenger has done at the Emirates and admitted he would love to emulate his success. He added: "He is a fantastic manager doing a very good job for 15 years in a foreign country. Hopefully in 15 years I'll be here!"
Strategy: Keep on going. For the first time in ages, the outlook at Anfield is rosy. An early Champions League exit and some woeful autumn form saw Liverpool drop as low as eighth and it was crisis time once more on Merseyside. However, Benitez's side have not been beaten in the league since losing to Portsmouth at Fratton Park in December and that run needs to continue if this new confidence is to be maintained.
Dirk Kuyt has manfully stepped up to the role of principal striker since Fernando Torres was injured and will need to be at his hard working best against Arsenal while Steven Gerrard will look to control events from the middle. Daniel Agger is fit again and will be kept busy at the back, as will Pepe Reina. Liverpool have conceded just 15 times on their travels this term and they will be looking to ensure that number does not increase.
Injury Update: Alberto Aquilani has a virus and will miss the match, Torres is continuing to recover from knee surgery, Yossi Benayoun will also be absent because of a rib problem and Glen Johnson misses out as he continues to recuperate following a medial ligament strain. Sotorios Kyrgiakos will also be absent because of his straight red card for lunging at Marouane Fellaini in the Merseyside derby last weekend.
source-football.fanhouse.co.uk
