Arsenal

Arsenal look to past Anfield results for an indicator of destiny

By Matthew Day ⋅ April 3, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

The Champions League specialists shone again, in London on this occasion, with a 1-1 draw at Arsenal that places them well to progress through to the semi-finals. But Arsenal, despite conceding an away goal, can take heart from their recent exploits at Anfield ahead of the return leg on Tuesday.

Earlier this season, Arsène Wenger’s side outplayed Liverpool in the league encounter. And, despite going behind, they demonstrated great resilience to equalise with ten minutes remaining, and should have won the game in a frantic finale, Nicklas Bendtner guilty of a particularly glaring miss. Liverpool were all about industry and doggedness, Arsenal about measured and patient passing football until they found a breakthrough. Eventually, the home side’s defence tired allowing Cesc Fàbregas to equalise and Arsenal will be hoping for a similar scenario on Tuesday.

Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 4-1 in a Premier League clash almost exactly a year ago, but this was against a side who had nothing left to play for having already exited the Champions League and FA Cup. Nevertheless, it was an impressive performance from Rafa Benítez’s players and in particular Peter Crouch, who netted his first hat-trick. The Arsenal defence fell to pieces as Crouch ran wild and Liverpool dominated from start to finish.

More pertinently perhaps are the two domestic cup matches played between the sides within four days of each other last January. The more remarkable result was Arsenal’s 6-3 win in the League Cup - the first time in nearly 77 years that Liverpool had conceded six goals at home - but one where Benítez surprisingly opted for a weakened line-up.

The FA Cup third round tie a few days before witnessed two full-strength sides and a comprehensive Arsenal victory, 3-1. Tomáš Rosický was the architect with two sublime efforts and although Dirk Kuyt pulled one back for the hosts, they never looked liable to even level the scores and Thierry Henry confirmed their fate in the final minutes. It was a redundant performance from a poor Liverpool side.

However, it is they who are the dominant English side in European competition and their pedigree is superior to the one of Arsenal, though both have reached finals in the last two seasons.

Wenger will acknowledge Arsenal’s recent excellent record at Liverpool but not rely on it to provide the necessary result at Anfield. In fact, the coaching maestro will more likely point his troops’ minds back to the terrific result at San Siro versus Milan. The 2-0 win against the holders came on the back of a disappointing home leg draw, so the similarities are apparent.

It would be an ultimate pair of victories for Wenger if the scalp of the holders was followed up by victory against the team they beat in last year’s Athens final. The home score draw ensures Liverpool are favourites, but Arsenal’s performance in Italy in the first knockout round breathes hope into their charge for the last remaining piece of silverware on offer this campaign.

Recent Encounters Of The Red Kind
12 November 2006: Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool Premier League
6 January 2007: Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal FA Cup
9 January 2007: Liverpool 3-6 Arsenal League Cup
31 March 2007: Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal Premier League
28 October 2007: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal Premier League
2 April 2008: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool Champions League

Tags: Arsene Wenger, Champions League, Rafa Benitez

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