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Arsenal versus Liverpool makes for a thoroughly fascinating Champions League quarter-final clash. In fact, when they square up against each other for the first leg of this intriguing tie on Wednesday night � the first of three games in which they will lock horns within the space of just six days � it will be the first ever meeting between these to two giants of the footballing world in a European competition.
There�s no doubt that, as far as tradition goes, the Merseyside outfit boast a greater record in this tournament. Indeed, the Reds have contested 11 quarter-finals, winning eight, whereas the North Londoners have been involved in just a quarter of ties at this stage and prevailing on just the one occasion. Conversely, the Gunners will be buoyed by the fact that Pool haven�t beaten them in the capital for eight years.
For all that Rafa Benitez has his detractors when it comes to the Premiership � and, I have to say, in my opinion much of the criticism directed at the former Valencia coach is justified when it comes to team selection � but there is no manager in the land that is as astute and possesses quite as much tactical nous as he when it comes to delivering the goods in the Champions League.
An away goal for Liverpool on Wednesday � even if, for example, they lose 2-1 � will put them firmly in the driving seat for, as we have witness in recent years, the Reds are almost impregnable in front of the Kop in this competition. If this game unfolds as per a typical first leg European tie at this stage of the tournament, it will be advantage Benitez and his charges.
Consequently, if Arsenal are to progress, it is crucial that they apply a simple rule to their approach in this initial encounter: play as though it�s a Premier League fixture. Fact is, they will be hard pushed to get anything from the away leg, so it�s imperative that the Gunners express themselves in an uninhibited manner on Wednesday and, if they do, they�ll win � during Rafa�s tenure Pool have lost every game on the road against Arsenal.
Ultimately, it all depends on how Arsenal approach this game. Defensively, Liverpool are often vulnerable away from Anfield and, if they can stifle the counter-attacking prowess of the Gerard-Torres combination � and not concede free-kicks in dangerous areas � then they will be 90 per cent of the way there. Of course, a return to form for striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be welcomed, as hasn�t been on song of late.
From a confidence perspective, both clubs will be on the crest of a wave. Arsenal produced a supreme performance at the Reebok on Saturday when, after going two goals and a man down against the battling Bolton, Arsene Wenger�s men rallied in the second half, played sublime football and came away from Lancashire with a 3-2 victory, reigniting their title challenge.
For their part, Liverpool have been firing on all cylinders subsequent to their Barnsley debacle and a 1-0 win over neighbours Everton in the Merseyside derby was the perfect preparation for this assignment. However, I suspect that the visitors will adopt a cautious approach and endeavour to hit the Gunners on the counter. If they do play one-dimensionally, they will come unstuck.
Arsenal are able to adapt their style of play and whereas once upon a time if their rivals defended deep they would struggle to penetrate, that issue is becoming less and less prevalent. As such, if Liverpool play for a draw and attempt to pounce with on the break, it could backfire. I reckon it�ll be advantage the Gunners after Wednesday night and, at 23/10 with Paddy Power, I recommend backing them to win to nil.
Dylan Jenear, readaBet.com
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