john1981cr
Joined: 16 Aug 2006
Posts: 111
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:14 am Post subject: Time Is Now For Arsenal |
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By Anthony Marinetti
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Arsenal players recognize the importance of the upcoming stretch of Premier League fixtures. If the Gunners hope to make a run at Chelsea and Manchester United, they must make their move within the next few weeks. A victory Sunday at home against Liverpool may serve as the springboard for a midseason push.
"I would say that, yes, Liverpool is a must-win game. If you hope to win the Premiership, every one is important,” striker Emmanuel Adebayor said. “But this weekend is even more so. Hopefully we will all enjoy it and hopefully we will win.”
To do so, Adebayor, Thierry Henry and Co. must find the back of the net early to restore their confidence. The Gunners have scored only twice in their last four matches in all competitions, and must reload their attack to overcome Liverpool and get rolling again.
Unfortunately, injuries continue to pile up for the club. Arsenal will be without midfielder Tomas Rosicky for the Liverpool match at Emirates Stadium, and likely for the next home game vs. Newcastle as well. The Czech international joins the likes of Freddie Ljungberg and Lauren on the injured list.
As of late Arsenal has particularly missed the relentless play of Ljungberg, who provides consistent energy and blistering runs for the squad. The Swedish international is a bulldog along the wing and has created scoring opportunities on a weekly basis.
Despite the depleted side, WagerWeb.com has Arsenal a slight favorite in Sunday’s Liverpool clash. But Rafa’s boys will be charged up, and will need to get the better of the possession to minimize chances for the Arsenal forwards.
“We know they play very good football and have players with ability and pace,” Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez said of the Gunners. “They have the quality you need, and they have players who can score goals. We know we will need to work really hard if we want to win.
“They might not be scoring a lot of goals, but if you see the number of opportunities they are creating normally they will score goals.”
Although it has struggled at home, look for Arsenal to break through with goals courtesy of Henry and the young Spaniard Cesc Fabregas. Defensively, Arsenal must neutralize Steven Gerrard in the middle by playing him tight and giving him limited space to work with.
The Gunners will go all out for three points and hope to build momentum to carry them up the table toward Chelsea and Manchester United.
"Manchester United being so far ahead is a problem and maybe we have had a bit of a poor start, but we know we can catch them," Adebayor assured.
The Gunners have some crucial games in the next month or so, including at Bolton, at Chelsea and home vs. Portsmouth, all teams that are currently in the top four and ahead of Arsenal in the Premiership. It is within this stretch that Arsenal’s fate will be determined.
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