The Premier League is back in action after the international break, and we have a mouth watering clash between Arsenal and Liverpool in prospect for us.
The Premier League is back in action after the international break, and we have a mouth watering clash between Arsenal and Liverpool in prospect for us.
Arsenal, who are third- placed in the English Premier League table face a daunting test against Liverpool at the Emirates. Arsenal have been in scintillating form since their defeat to their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur earlier in February, having won all six of their matches since.
This clash appears to be a potential FA Cup final dress rehearsal as both teams are tipped as the favourites to win their respective FA Cup semi-final and face each other in the final in May. But these two teams will put their Cup glory aside, as they look to chalk up maximum points at the Emirates, come Saturday.
Liverpool who currently lie in fifth place in the Premier League, will be desperate for a win against the Gunners. Liverpool's 2-1 loss against rivals Manchester United before the international break at Anfield, diminished their hopes of Champions League football next season. But a win against Arsenal would rekindle their Champions League aspirations and would put them within touching distance of the top 4.
Arsenal on the other hand will also be looking for maximum points, in order to keep pace with the two Manchester clubs in the battle for the Champions League place. Arsenal find themselves sandwiched between the two Manchester clubs in the Premier League table, with Manchester City just a point above them in second place and Manchester United just a point below them in fourth. A loss or even a draw for Arsenal on Saturday will allow United to jump above them in the table, as United face relegation-stricken Aston Villa at home on Saturday and a victory seems certain for Louis Van Gaal's men.
The last time Arsenal and Liverpool met in the Premier League, Liverpool arguably looked the better side with their passing and movement and even took the lead, late in the first half through Phillipe Coutinho's goal only to see Mathieu Debuchy level for Arsenal just before the half time whistle. Olivier Giroud converted a fantastic move by Arsenal into a goal, to give Arsenal a deserved lead. But Liverpool's "never die" spirit paid off in the end, as Martin Skrtel equalised for the Reds 6 minutes into stoppage time in the second half.
Arsenal bounced back from their 5-1 humbling to Liverpool at Anfiled last season, with an emphatic 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium courtesy of goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, and will surely look to emulate that same performance against the Reds in an early kick off on Saturday.
The result of this fixture will certainly change the fate of the race for the Champions League places, with 4 of the top 5 clubs in the Premier League table in action on Saturday. Premier League leaders Chelsea face former striker Mark Hughes' Stoke City in the Premier League's last fixture on Saturday and will look to maintain their six-point lead against second-placed Manchester City.
Statistics show that Liverpool have a better head-to-head record against Arsenal, and will look to extend their record against the Gunners. 8 goals have been scored in the 90th minute in the last 12 fixtures between these two clubs and Saturday's game will be nothing short of a thriller.
Kick off: Apr 4 17:15 (IST).
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