Gunners aim to boost fading title hopes

Arsenal

• Arsenal are unbeaten against Liverpool in their last four games.
• Striker Andre Arshavin has scored five goals in his last two appearances against the Reds.
• Captain Cesc Fabregas has scored five goals in his last seven matches.
• The Gunners beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in December.

• Strikers Eduardo and Carlos Vela are still doubtful because of injury.
• Arsenal have won only one of their last nine games against the Premier League’s Big Four’ teams.
• The Gunners are bidding to avoid a third successive defeat.
• Kieran Gibbs will miss the rest of the season with a foot problem.
• Dutch star Robin van Persie could miss the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury.
• Defender Johan Djourou has been ruled out for the campaign with a knee problem.

Liverpool

• Defender Fabio Aurelio is hoping to return to the starting line-up after a calf strain.
• Rafa Benitez’s side are unbeaten in their last seven league games.
• Liverpool are bidding for a fifth successive clean sheet.
• The Reds have drawn their last three Premier League matches at Arsenal 1-1.

• Defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos is unavailable as he starts a three-match ban.
• Leading scorer Fernando Torres is out for at least another fortnight following knee surgery.
• Midfielder Yossi Benayoun will be sidelined for around another two weeks with a fractured rib.
• Full back Glen Johnson is out until next month after a knee operation.
• The Reds have not won in the league at Arsenal for ten years.

Expert Advice

After a campaign that promised so much, Arsenal’s season is rapidly unfolding before their own eyes and they badly need a victory if they are to continue to harbour hopes of the title. The Gunners did beat Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the campaign and have enjoyed the better of things against the Reds in recent meetings but Rafa Benitez’s side look to be a much-changed team from that meeting. It’s almost as if the penny has finally dropped that qualifying for the Champions League again is the only thing that can redeem a poor season and Liverpool have responded with the sort of battling displays you would expect from a team in adversity. Without Torres and Benayoun, they may not be the most attractive side to watch but they are a difficult outfit to break down who have rediscovered the knack of winning games ugly. Another frustrating evening could be in store for the Gunners and Betsson’s odds of 3.35 for a draw appears a sound bet.

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