A Christmas Cracker is being pulled early as we finally meet the Gunners again in the first game since our memorable 4-2 home victory in the 2nd leg of last seasons Champions League 1/4 Final. The match means so much for both clubs as Liverpool hope to continue their best start to a EPL season whilst Arsenal really need the win to get their challenge up and running again. Like Liverpool they are currently blowing hot and cold but as we have seen so far this season they can pull a result out of the bag when their backs are against the wall, just ask Chelsea.
Liverpool will however find this match a major test of their title credentials with many people predicting a Christmas or New Year collapse which has haunted the club during the past number of years. Arsenal have not lost at home to a fellow ‘Big Four’ club in nine matches. They have won five and drawn four against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United since a 0-2 reverse to Chelsea on 18 December 2005. We ago to the Emirates hunting our first league win in nine attempts at Arsenal. Our only victory in 10 visits was on 13 February 2000 when Titi Camara scored the only goal of the game. Last years corresponding fixture saw a 1-1 draw with Crouch opening the scoring in the first half for The Reds which was cancelled out by Bendtner in the second.
Looking at the possible squads for Sundays game shows that the game has some extra meaning for a few players. If selected (ha ha) Jamie Carragher will be making his 550th club career appearance. As for The Gunners if on from the first whistle Glichy will be making his 100th start for his club.
Liverpool can feel very fortunate to be still sitting top at this point of the season especially after drawing three of their last 4 EPL fixtures. However we all would have took this position if it had been offered to us at the start of the saeon so we really need to rally the troops for 2009 and hopefully push them towards our first EPL title.
Managers Quote Of The Week.
I’ve seen them on television on a Sunday morning most days of the week.
Thank you Mr Jack Charlton for this insight into what made the Republic of Ireland select you for manager – they really did think you were having a bit of “mad craic on the black stuff” when you thought up this beauty.
