Morning all.

Our desire is just to continue to win. We have built a level of confidence and are conscious that if we do certain things well, then we can win games. – ArsΓ¨ne Wenger

This is a big one. Win and we open up a nine point gap between us and 5th place, lose and Liverpool close that gap to just three points and top four will hang in the balance and perhaps blow our chances of getting second/third place.

We kick off early, the players have to be focussed, Arsene Wenger has to be ready to move if they aren’t.

ArsenalΒ won six out of six in all competitions in March. It was a good month and we need April to be equally as good, if not better.

This week, MikelΒ Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby returned to the pitch during a friendly against Brentford leaving just Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alone on the injured list, although he has joined the squad in training. This time next week, we could boast a fully fit and healthy squad for the first time this season.

Arsene Wenger:

It was quite surprising, the quality and the fitness of their performances. They were very good so it’s very positive for me. It’s a first game after a long time out for many of them so they are not completely there yet, but they are available again for selection and in full training.

I’m happy that everybody’s back because it’s a nightmare for a player not to be available for selection. We have shown with our results in recent weeks that we can cope with it and that means we have a very good cohesion in our squad. Everybody can come in for somebody without suffering too much in our results. Having everybody back at such an important moment of the season is very positive.

Not even a hint that Danny Welbeck is out for today’s game. Good.

Liverpool arrive at The Emirates knowing they need to bounce back from their defeat to Man Utd. They have off-field problems involving Raheem Sterling and Brenda hopes that will inspire his young Englishman ahead of the game to perform well. Either that or he’ll be out to impress Arsene Wenger before the summer arrives. I thought it was funny Jamie Carragher saying Sterling would only make it to the bench if he moved to Arsenal. I’m sure had he thought about that comment he wouldn’t have made it as he doesn’t like to praise Arsenal or it’s players!

Joking aside, Sterling is a tricky player who if given time and space can hurt us and he’s not alone. Coutinho and Sturridge are very dangerous players too.

Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard are suspended. Adam Lallana is a doubt through injury.

Head-to-head

  • Arsenal have only lost one of their last seven league and cup games against Liverpool (W4, D2) – with that defeat a 5-1 thrashing at Anfield in February 2014.
  • The Reds have won just one of their last 18 matches away to the Gunners in all competitions (D7, L10). Their solitary victory in that sequence was by 2-0 at the Emirates in August 2011.
  • This game has produced five Premier League hat-tricks – more than any other fixture.

As good a 2015 Liverpool are having, ours is better. The defence have found confidence, Ospina looks more assured than Szczesny, Monreal and Bellerin are a good team and going forward we have it all. Santi is in the form of his career, Alexis and Ozil are strutting their stuff and Giroud is going through a good time in front of goal. Coquelin is bossing the midfield….

On our day we can beat anyone. We have to be ‘on our day’ today!

Confidence should be high, we are on a great run in the league and have a lot to play for yet. Set the bar high at lunchtime, get into second place and put pressure on Utd who play later today and City who face a tricky trip to Crystal Palace on Monday.

A nice early goal to settle the nerves and get The Emirates crowd on their feet would be ideal, take our chances when they come and defend like their lives depend on it. Boss the midfield, play with width and pace and do to Liverpool what they did to us in February last year.

This is a big game, we need a big performance from all, including Arsene Wenger.

COYRRG’S!!!

 

PS – if you can’t watch the game on BT Sport or on a live stream, you can followΒ all the action, reaction and social media buzz from Arsenal vs LiverpoolΒ LIVE viaΒ the Europcar/Football Fancast linkΒ  which isΒ in the sidebar or click HERE.