Benitez wearing a puffy coat and Wenger isn't. No wonder they took a picture.
Chelsea draws, United loses outright, Spurs lose, City draws. Apparently laughing at Wenger’s proclamations that the top teams would drop points was not the best plan. It’s really hard to fathom, quite frankly, how strange yesterday was in the Premier League. Chelsea was undefeated at the Bridge and had only conceded once. Everton put three past Petr Cech, who was less than spectacular yesterday. United were defeated at Old Trafford by Aston Villa and held without a goal. Spurs put up a lame showing in losing at White Hart Lane to Wolves and also being held without a goal. City claimed yet another draw after seeing Craig Bellamy sent off, as Bolton held them. Even the other clubs in the top 10 did not perform well, as Fulham and Sunderland were both held.
What does that mean for today’s showdown at Anfield? It means that if there is an outright winner, it could change the fortunes for that side. If Liverpool were to win with a two goal margin of victory, they could leapfrog Spurs and be in 5th place heading into these all-important holiday fixtures. For as difficult as the opening to this season has been for the Reds, an outright win in this fixture could really propel them. This match is set to see the full-time starting debut of new boy Alberto Aquilani, and most Reds supporters have been waiting anxiously for this event to unfold. With both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres match-fit and playing now, the Reds could still be dangerous.
For Arsenal, a win would put them six points behind leaders Chelsea, three points behind second-place United. Wenger has said all along that he believes in this side’s resilience, and they need that so-called resilience now more than ever. Anfield is probably at the top of the list of most difficult away destinations in the league, and his team has been known to fold under intense pressure. It remains to be seen whether or not Eduardo is a real true replacement for the missing and injured Robin van Persie. He has tortured Liverpool in the past, though, so that’s got to be a factor. Of course Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin must shine and shine brightly for Arsenal to be dangerous. It should be a fantastic match regardless.
It’s a light day on television, quite frankly, with the match at Anfield as the true centerpiece. Listings courtesy of Jamie Trecker. Enjoy the day.
Boro v Cardiff 0815 ESPN360
AC Milan v Palermo 0900 ESPN360
Atalanta v Inter 0900 FSC/FSE
Almeria v Coruna 1100 ESPN360
Liverpool v Arsenal 1100 FSC
PSG v St. Etienne 1315 Setanta
Sampdoria v Roma 1445 FSC
Gijon v Sevilla 1500 ESPN360
Lyon v Bordeaux 1500 Setanta
Cruz Azul v Monterrey 1800 Azteca
With some help from Johnson and Arshavin’s crack of a strike, Arsenal put themselves right back in the hunt. 3 point behind United and 6 behind the leaders with a game in hand. On the other side, Liverpool are absolutely reeling.