Arsenal v Liverpool

mike65

Big enough for a stand alone thread.

Arsenal better at home, Liverpool better away. Both teams have misfiring elements Liverpool at the front, Arsenal in the middle and are consistently inconsistent.

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Nasri, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Wilshere, Eboue, Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Van Persie, Adebayor, Bendtner.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Alonso, Riera, Kuyt, Keane, Ngog, Cavalieri, Insua, El Zhar.

Early team news from Liverpool suggets Masch is out with flu which is a worry, Rafa is himself a doubt with kidney stones.

redout

Is Keane playing ?

mike65

mike65 wrote: »

Early team news from Liverpool suggets Masch is out with flu which is a worry, Rafa is himself a doubt with kidney stones.

Masch , o dear.

Melion

If we can get even an hour out of Masch he has to start, he would dominate the Arsenal midfield and ensure Fabregas doesnt control the game

Tusky

Melion wrote: »

If we can get even an hour out of Masch he has to start, he would dominate the Arsenal midfield and ensure Fabregas doesnt control the game

Knowing Masch, If theres any way he can play, he'll play. However, if he does have the flu, he shouldnt play. You can barely get out of bed if you have the flu, never mind dominate the midfield. I'd say we will see Lucas and Alonso with Gerrard off Keane or Kuyt for this one.

LuckyLloyd

Would be delighted with a draw tbh.

herbieflowers

Big game for both sides. Arsenal will probably perform, they seem to turn it up against the big sides. Liverpool have gotten points in big games so far this season, plus they've looked better away from home. Should make for an interesting game, I'm calling a score draw.

Podge2k7

Im expecting a close match but hopefully the pool can get the win!

Melion

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Would be delighted with a draw tbh.

+1

SantryRed

This will be a cracker.

No Mascherano is huge. If he doesn't play, can see Arsenal winning well. If he does, Liverpool to nick it.

colly10

I think Liverpool win, I think we have the quality when we actually perform and we will step it up for this match. I think Arsenal will go through a spell in this match where they have all of the ball and we don't get near them but im hoping we can hold them out till it dies down

jesus_thats_gre

No Mascherano is heart breaking. The centre of midfield is the one area where you can genuinely say that we far superior and to loose a player of his calibre is a disaster. I am worried that he may go 4-4-2 as a result of this

I will be quite satisfied with a draw...

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Would be delighted if Masch is out. Him against Song and/or Denilson is not pleasant.

Nasri should be back for Arsenal which is another big plus. Kolo is out so it should be JD and Gallas at the back which has worked out a good partnership in the past.

As for the result, cant really call it. Hopefully an Arsenal win but a boring draw wouldnt surprise me in the least.

~Rebel~

im predicting Babel to score from the bench. Consistently great against the big teams.

Gelio

What time is K.O.?
An early goal should make for an exciting game.

redout

ajeffares wrote: »

What time is K.O.?
An early goal should make for an exciting game.

A ceathair a chlog.

PHB

At this stage, and It's a testament to Liverpools position this season, I'd like an Arsenal win. While you can never write Arsenal off totally, I think they are in transition.

Also I really really want a non top 4 team to get into the CL, don't care who it is once somebody does (once its not at the expense of United )

Jesus Wept

~Rebel~ wrote: »

im predicting Babel to score from the bench.

Surely the ref would disallow it?

Unearthly

I reckon Liverpool will take Arsenal today, unfortantely

redout

PHB wrote: »

At this stage, and It's a testament to Liverpools position this season, I'd like an Arsenal win. quote]

Me too. I am a wannabe Gooner today.

SantryRed

The-Rigger wrote: »

Surely the ref would disallow it?

I'm surprised he thinks Rafa will let Babel come on the pitch:eek:

Gelio

redout wrote: »

A ceathair a chlog.

And what channel(s)?

redout

ajeffares wrote: »

And what channel(s)?

Sky Sports 1 or http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=27017&part=sports

Gelio

redout wrote: »

Sky Sports 1 or http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=27017&part=sports

Go raibh maith agat

Bounty Hunter

a draw and Villa to be 3 points clear of Arsenal before they play on St Stephens day.

both these teams have beaten Man Utd and Chelsea despite not always playing their best stuff this season I honestly think that this will be too big a game for either side to concede defeat in and that they will raise their games.

Although tbh if Mascherano is playing I wouldent be shocked if Liverpool sneak a win

Ardent

I can't see Liverpool getting anything from this game. Their form has been poor and they have no Torres or Mascherano...and the ongoing Keane/Babel fiascos can't help either. 2-0 to the Arse.

redout

Keane starts say Sky.

Smegball

1-1 draw me thinks, Arsenal to grab a early goal and Liverpool to equalise late.
I'm gonna go with Fabregas to open and Gerrard to score the equalier.

ShooterSF

Ardent wrote: »

I can't see Liverpool getting anything from this game. Their form has been poor and they have no Torres or Mascherano...and the ongoing Keane/Babel fiascos can't help either. 2-0 to the Arse.

The problem is you could say that about 4 of the big games this season. United were expected to get something against a pool without Gerrard or Torres and against an Arsenal that were in tatters at the time. You could have expected Chelsea to beat both aswell. Never seems to be the obvious result this season...

SantryRed

ShooterSF wrote: »

The problem is you could say that about 4 of the big games this season. United were expected to get something against a pool without Gerrard or Torres and against an Arsenal that were in tatters at the time. You could have expected Chelsea to beat both aswell. Never seems to be the obvious result this season...

It's not having Mascherano though. He is the biggest player yous could have lost for this game.

mike65

LFC confirmed.

---

Reina
Arbeloa-Carra-Agger-Insua

---

Lucas-Alonso
Kuyt

---

Gerrard----Riera

---

Keane

Arsenal's team is

---

Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Djourou-Clichy
Denilson-Song-Fabregas-Nasri

---

Van Persie

---

Adebayor

Or something!

rosboy

From Sky Sports:

Reina, Arebloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Alonso, Lucas, Gerrard, Reira, Kuyt, Keane

Insus is a surprise.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

rosboy wrote: »

From Sky Sports:

Reina, Arebloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Alonso, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Keane

Insus is a surprise.

So, is that fantasyrafa or fantasysammy?

Melion

rosboy wrote: »

From Sky Sports:

Reina, Arebloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Alonso, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Keane

Insus is a surprise.

Not really, ive never seen him have a bad game. And remember, Benitez threw Plessis in at the Emirates last year too. Aurelio isnt fit and Dossena isnt good enough so far this season so ive no problem with Insua in there

darkskol

As mentioned The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Riera, Kuyt, Lucas, Alonso, Gerrard, Keane.


Subs: Cavalieri, Plessis, Babel, El Zhar, Hyypia, Ngog, Benayoun.

redout

rosboy wrote: »

From Sky Sports:

Reina, Arebloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Alonso, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Keane

Insus is a surprise.

A ten man team to face the mighty gunners. Brave lads.

rosboy

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

So, is that fantasyrafa or fantasysammy?

If it's a winning fantasy who cares:)

mike65

They'd both pick 11 I think

Tusky

Hmm - fairly weak Liverpool team to be honest...definitely lacking pace in attack & Mascherano is a big loss. Big test for Lucas, Insua & Keane today. Fingers crossed.

ShooterSF

SantryRed wrote: »

It's not having Mascherano though. He is the biggest player yous could have lost for this game.

Im a united supporter But he is a big name then so is Gerrard. Just think its very hard to call these games.

herbieflowers

Good to see Keane in there, hopefully he can score today, particularly with Arsenal's rubbish defence

mormank

SantryRed wrote: »

It's not having Mascherano though. He is the biggest player yous could have lost for this game.

well thats an exageration, he is actualy quite small..smallest in the starting 11 for the pool i think...well how come its funny if gordon strachan says it but not me??

any direct links guys?? that p2p thing wont work for me on my lappie.

SantryRed

ShooterSF wrote: »

Im a united supporter But he is a big name then so is Gerrard. Just think its very hard to call these games.

Oh right:pac:

Well not having Mascherano, the player who protects there back four at a place like Arsenal where there's no doubt there going to come at Liverpool is a huge blow! I fully expect Arsenal to win this game today now.

rosboy

redout wrote: »

A ten man team to face the mighty gunners. Brave lads.

Not really. On a his worst day, Kuyt is worth two mere mortals.

herbieflowers

honesty of effort and all that

ShooterSF

SantryRed wrote: »

Oh right:pac:

Well not having Mascherano, the player who protects there back four at a place like Arsenal where there's no doubt there going to come at Liverpool is a huge blow! I fully expect Arsenal to win this game today now.

He is an important player and with the line ups i'd say Arsenal are slight favourites but I wouldn't be putting my house on it is what I mean.

Beau x1

Arsenal are gonna take this one down.

Gelio

I think my money is on Arsenal because of pool missing Mach and Torres, but Ill be routing for Liverpool.

LuckyLloyd

Tusky wrote: »

Hmm - fairly weak Liverpool team to be honest...definitely lacking pace in attack & Mascherano is a big loss. Big test for Lucas, Insua & Keane today. Fingers crossed.

Couldn't disagree more. Lucas has looked good in his recent appearances, Insua > Dosser, and Keane is Keane. Like the look of us.

invincibleirish

Expecting Arsenal to perform and to get a result here, Pool are shorn of real quality so a draw will be a good result for them, hard to call but hope at least game will excite rather then bore the neutral.

redout

Anyone else think Liverpool's red shorts look a bit odd with them grey shirts ?


EDIT: Sky seemingly do to.:)