Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallPremier League’s Big One: Arsenal v Liverpool
Arsenal v Liverpool (Premier League, Sunday 21st December 4pm)
The formula for producing your best in the biggest games is one of the most elusive in sport. But after 2-1 victories over rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal seem to have mastered the art of the one-off performance. And that knowledge, despite their infuriating inconsistency, will give the Gunners the belief that they can overcome Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool, similarly unreliable against smaller teams, will be desperate add creditiblity to their title challenge.
Team news:
Arsenal - Samir Nasri could return, while Kolo Toure is a doubt with a calf injury and Micklas Bendtner has a knee proble. Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky are long-term absentees.
Liverpool - Striker Fernando Torres could be back next week after a hamstring injury, while full-back Fabio Aurelio (calf) may return to the squad and long-term absentee Martini Skrtel is back in training after two months out.
The bosses:
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will only spend money in the January transfer window if he spies something very special, but stubborness in his search for perfection will surely concern the club’s fans.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez returns to the bench on Sunday after being hospitalised due to kidney stones.
Result: Arsenal to gain another valuable point against their ‘Top Four’ rivals with a 1-1 scoreline, though it will be a bigger point for Liverpool.
The formula for producing your best in the biggest games is one of the most elusive in sport. But after 2-1 victories over rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal seem to have mastered the art of the one-off performance. And that knowledge, despite their infuriating inconsistency, will give the Gunners the belief that they can overcome Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool, similarly unreliable against smaller teams, will be desperate add creditiblity to their title challenge.
Team news:
Arsenal - Samir Nasri could return, while Kolo Toure is a doubt with a calf injury and Micklas Bendtner has a knee proble. Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky are long-term absentees.
Liverpool - Striker Fernando Torres could be back next week after a hamstring injury, while full-back Fabio Aurelio (calf) may return to the squad and long-term absentee Martini Skrtel is back in training after two months out.
The bosses:
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will only spend money in the January transfer window if he spies something very special, but stubborness in his search for perfection will surely concern the club’s fans.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez returns to the bench on Sunday after being hospitalised due to kidney stones.
Result: Arsenal to gain another valuable point against their ‘Top Four’ rivals with a 1-1 scoreline, though it will be a bigger point for Liverpool.
