Liverpool Preview: Midfield will be the key on difficult night
Add comment April 8th, 2008
Assuming that Robin van Persie is not fit enough to start, and that Aleksandr Hleb takes over attacking duties alongside Emmanuel Adebayor, our midfield could well be:
Eboue – Fabregas – Flamini – Diaby
The central two are excellent, but the wide areas are weak. When one compares the wingers to the likes of Ljungberg and Pires, or even Hleb and Rosicky (who we may not see again this season), it’s not the most impressive of Arsenal line-ups. Diaby and Eboue will have to perform to their absolute maximum if we’re to come out on top.
We need to score at least one goal, and our best chance of doing so will again be from set pieces. Six of our last seven goals have come from that route, and both meeting with Liverpool have yielded headed goals from Adebayor and Bendtner. Pepe Reina is not a commanding goalkeeper, and if Eboue does start, his primary role must be to swing crosses in towards Adebayor.
I am very nervous. We are a better side than Liverpool, but so in all probability were Inter Milan. But we are more than capable of doing it. We dominated the play in the 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier this season, and should really have beaten them in the first leg of this Champions League tie.
An early goal would be just the ticket. Come on Arsenal. Let’s do them.
