Reds seek Highbury boost
10 Mar 2006 - 07:23:37
Arsenal play Liverpool for the second time in less than a month on Sunday but the two teams' fortunes have followed completely different paths since Luis Garcia's late winner for Rafa Benitez's side at Anfield.
Liverpool have scored only two goals in five games since that 1-0 victory and, although they reached the sixth round of the FA Cup by beating Manchester United, the Reds slumped out of the Champions League to Benfica on Wednesday, struggled to beat ten-man Manchester City 1-0 and drew 0-0 with Charlton in the Premiership.
The Gunners, of course, secured a place in the last eight of the Champions League thanks to a memorable and thoroughly deserved 1-0 aggregate victory against Real Madrid.
But they have also refound their confidence in the Premiership. Although they lost 1-0 at Blackburn at the end of February, they responded by producing a scintillating display in the 4-0 demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage last Saturday.
That win has rekindled hopes that the Gunners could still pip local rivals Spurs for fourth spot and the final Champions League place, with optimistic forecasts that by the end of this weekend they will only be two points behind Martin Jol's side.
Arsene Wenger hopes Robin van Persie will be available for selection as the Dutchman continues his recovery from a troublesome toe injury but Ashley Cole (ankle), Gael Clichy (foot), Pascal Cygan (hamstring), Sol Campbell (foot), Kerrea Gilbert (back) and Lauren (knee) will all miss the game.
Benitez may shuffle his forward line again in a bid to improve his side's chronic shortage of goals. Steven Gerrard remains the club's top scorer in the Premiership with seven goals while Peter Crouch and Luis Garcia have five, and Fernando Morientes just three. Robbie Fowler has yet to break his duck since his January switch from Manchester City.
Sami Hyypia should return to the starting line-up after being left on the substitute's bench against Benfica following the hamstring injury he sustained against Charlton. Djimi Traore is likely to make way for the Finland international.
Bolo Zenden (knee) and Mo Sissoko (eye) remain on the long-term injury list.
Last season at Highbury, the Gunners won 3-1 with Robert Pires, Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas all netting. Gerrard scored Liverpool's consolation goal.
