By Boris Mellor
March 31 2007

Arsenal are unbeaten by a top four side, in the Premiership, this season, with two wins over Man U, a draw at Chelsea, and a home win against Liverpool. Normally such form would see the Gunners romping home with the league.

But the inability to finish lesser team’s means that this match is just part of the battle for third place.

Whatever the result today the battle will probably go on down to the wire, however Liverpool are still involved in the CL and in the past that has affected their league form. Some fans believe that this is the best time to play them as they have an important game in Europe on Tuesday. Rafa is bound to tinker, unless he feels he can play the weaker team against PSV.

There again it could be a good time for Liverpool to play Arsenal, as the Gunners are notorious for failing to get their rhythm back after international week. Although most players have got back in one piece, apart from Gilberto who has failed a late fitness test, an early start on Merseyside allows little time for recovery and training routines.

Rafa would like revenge for the three defeats he has suffered at Arsenal’s hands already this season, but is his team good enough? Both clubs are looking for their 17^th league victory this season, but a draw would be a better result for the Gunners than the Scousers. One plus for Arsenal must be that Mark Lawrenson has predicted a Liverpool win. How we enjoyed his wit, and predictions, when Arsenal played Liverpool in the Carling Cup earlier this season.

Injuries and line up:

Arsene Wenger believes Adebayor’s return is very important, Aliadiere is injured so it is most likely that the Beast will be the second player up front. Walcott’s operation went well, but he will not play until next season, as will be the case for RvP. Clearly scoring first will be all important, it is to be hoped that the return of Adebayor will kick start the Gunners back into form in that department.

Things look better in defence where for only the third time this season Arsene can put out his strongest back four, Eboue, Toure, Gallas and Clichy.

Possible squad:

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Ljungberg, Flamini, Fabregas, Rosicky, Baptista, Adebayor, Almunia, Senderos, Hoyte, Diaby, Hleb, and Denilson.

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