EPL Preview - Arsenal vs Liverpool

This EPL Preview extracted from 4thegame.com

What The Fak said - Arsenal and Liverpool, good luck. Arsene Wenger must focus in both games ( today and on Tuesday ( champions league ) ), both still in their view. :D ... Liverpool dont loose to Everton for the fourth place for Champions League :D


Round two of Arsenal and Liverpool's pivotal three-game series takes place back at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

Less than 72 hours after the two heavyweights slugged out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final at the same ground, two of the Premier League's 'big four' will once again lock horns in what could prove to be a pivotal match in the race for the title.

Liverpool virtually guaranteed fourth place with last weekend's 1-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton.

However, the Gunners still have everything to play for at the top as they kept on the heels of leaders Manchester United with a come from behind 3-2 win at Bolton Wanderers last Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side moved back to within six points of United after overturning a two-goal deficit with just ten men at the Reebok Stadium, but the Frenchman knows that anything other than a victory over the Merseysiders will end their hopes of a first league title since 2004.

Therefore, Wenger is likely to keep faith with the majority of his first-choice players despite the second leg of their European tie against Liverpool looming large on the horizon next Tuesday.

Abou Diaby will miss out through suspension following his red card at Bolton, while Robin van Persie will be absent with the thigh problem picked up on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool return to the capital buoyed by Dirk Kuyt's vital away goal in the Champions League meeting.

The Dutchman's strike put Rafa Benitez's side in the box seat to reach the semi-finals ahead of next week's second leg at Anfield.

Unlike his compatriot, Benitez also the luxury of being able to rest some of his key players should he desire as the Reds have fourth place in the Premier League virtually sewn up with six games remaining.

Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher could all drop to the bench with the likes of Peter Crouch, Yossi Benayoun and Steve Finnan all pushing for starts.

Earlier in the season the two sides fought out a tight 1-1 draw. but Liverpool may well have revenge on their minds after leading for 70 minutes before Cesc Fabregas' late equaliser earned his side a point.

Liverpool though have not won at Arsenal in any competition since 2000 - a run which stretches to ten games.