Match Preview – Arsenal (h)

FA Premiership
Tuesday 21st April 2009 @ 8pm, Anfield

Arsenal travel to Anfield after a weekend which saw them the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi Final. Didier Drogba scored a late winner for Chelsea to end Arsenal’s slim chances of a treble.  At one stage this season Arsenal looked like they would be removed from the big four by Aston Villa, but thanks to Aston Villa’s terrible recent form, the Gunners have seized their chance to make inroads in to 4th.

A solid victory over Villarreal has helped Arsenal to the semi-final of the Champions League where they will face Man United ensuring at least one English side will be in the final in Rome.

Liverpool will be without Steven Gerrard once again after he continues to suffer with a groin injury.

History

Arsenal prevented Liverpool from aiming for a clean sweep of wins against the other big four sides when they muscled the reds to a 1-1 draw earlier this season at The Emirates.  The game will probably be best remembered for Robbie Keane’s best goal of a meagre bunch in a reds shirt.

The reds have a relatively good record against Arsenal at home in the Premiership.  Last season’s 4-2 win in the Champions League was a great moment, but Arsenal had won 6-3 in a pulsating FA Cup clash in 2007.

The reds have won 3 of the last 5 Premiership clashes at Anfield with Arsenal picking up a 1-0 win in that run.

Betting

Liverpool are slight favourites with the bookmakers.

Liverpool evens
Arsenal 10/3
Draw 9/4

A 2-0 reds win is at 8/1

Paddy Power are offering an impressive free £20 bet when you place a £10 bet. Sign up here.

TV

This game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK.  Further streams and links will be available nearer kick off in the forum.

Opposition Links

Arsenal Mania – Fansite
Arsenal Shirts

In the Liverpool forum

Need to contain Robin van Persie and Emanuel Adebayor as well. Adebayor will be a target man and van Persie has ability from long range. / Ad

I think Wenger hates Liverpool and is jealous of Benitez.  The last team he wants to win the title out of the trio is Liverpool.  He will field his strongest side and prepare them for nothing but a win and take Liverpool out of the title race. / king_kenny

Liverpool v Arsenal Pre Match Discussion