Liverpool Preview: Chamakh can’t help us now
1 comment February 10th, 2010
Arsenal have already beaten Liverpool in one contest this week: it seems that Arsene’s hunt for a striker will end with Bordeaux target-man Marouane Chamakh snubbing Anfield in favour of London, and putting pen to a paper on a five-year deal. Although the player himself is reluctant to confirm any agreement, the amount of smoke points to a substantial element of fire, and I expect Chamakh to join us in time for next season.
Frankly, that is a little too late for my liking. With Arsene Wenger confirming in a very terse press conference yesterday that Nicklas Bendtner is only fit enough for the bench and Eduardo won’t even make that, we’re still very light upfront. We’ve now scored only twice in our last four games, but there isn’t an obvious candidate to come in and mix it up.
I’d consider starting Emmanuel Eboue on the right-flank. His twenty minute cameo at full-back on Sunday showed more attacking promise than the hour Theo Walcott had offered. Whilst he is erratic and, at times, infuriating, he at least has a direct running-style that can provide pace and penetration.
Other than that there will be few changes. Arsene was insistent yesterday that Manuel Almunia was not at fault on Sunday, and whilst that may be true of his individual performance it doesn’t mean that his nerves aren’t unsettling the back four in front of him. Gael Clichy, meanwhile, is all over the place – and his natural replacement Armand Traore didn’t look much better in Clichy’s absence.
Arseblogger suggested moving Vermaelen or Gallas to left-back and bringing in Campbell – it’s a smart suggestion, especially considering both players have extensive experience in the role, but Gallas has not played at full-back for us since his first few games at the club. It can’t be coincidence: being played out of position for Chelsea was one of the main reasons he decided to leave. Whether or not Arsene promised him the same wouldn’t happen at Arsenal we’ll never know, but it seems likely: he’s not once been asked to fill in there, despite a spate of injuries in that position.
Gallas’ unwillingness to sacrifice himself for the team puts the amount of times Andrey Arshavin has been asked to play as a centre-forward in to even sharper relief. He’s had a fair amount of criticism for his performances in the role, but I find it hard to knock a player who is prepared to abandon much of his natural game to try and help fill a massive gap in the side. I’d like him to get another goal against Liverpool as a reward.
Lose tonight and the title is not only out of our reach – it’s disappeared over the horizon, laughing at us. Win, with Chelsea and United both facing tricky away fixtures, and you just never know.
Come On You Reds.
