Arsenal have the daunting task of taking on the newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool tonight, in what could be a must-win game for our side.
We go into the tie on the back of a loss to North London rivals Tottenham, which has left us down in ninth place in the division, with only three matches remaining to try and secure a top-seven finish in order to seal European football for next season.
We do have a possible back-up option to get into the Europa League however in the shape of the FA Cup, but with Manchester City to beat at the weekend for a place in the final, before having to beat one of Chelsea or Manchester United, that is FAR from a formality.
Liverpool have little to play for, having wrapped up their first Premier League title, but are believed to be keen to reach 100 points, with seven points needed from their final three fixtures.
The Reds have no distractions, no FA Cup or European competitions to concentrate on, and the 100-point goal will be their only inspiration, but they have been grinding out the wins despite having little to play for.
Liverpool have won three of their last five matches, just as Arsenal have, although our side has failed to win in each of our last two matches.
Mikel Arteta will have to have the team fired up if he has any hopes of climbing up into the European places, while the players must know that a loss today will likely cement their place outside the top seven, should Sheffield United and Wolves win against Leicester and Burnley respectively over today and tomorrow.
I’m struggling to feel confident about our sides chances today given our recent run of results, but given the importance that the tie possesses, I’m going to back our boys to fight for the result we need.
We were the better side for much of the Tottenham tie, but Liverpool will not be expected to line-up in Jose Mourinho fashion, and we will surely be able to carve out the chances needed to get goals tonight, and I’m going to be backing our side to get a 2-1 win.
Am I alone in thinking the importance of the tie gives us an edge going into tonight’s match? Will Liverpool be keen to end our chances of earning European football via our league position?
Patrick
No, Patrick. You are not alone in thinking about the importance of this tie. But, we have had many games like this this season. Games where anything other than a win was paramount (Like the games against Spuds and Leicester recently). Here we are again hoping other teams drop points for us!!
Tonight is a must win but you just never know which Arsenal will turn up? 🙁
Things I DON’T want to see tonight :
1.. 100s of back passes
2.. Gifted goals
3.. Brain farts of the calamitous sort
4.. Dire individual performances (equally as bad as
Sunday)
5.. An absolute spanking
6.. Klopp and Firmino’s teeth
What are the chances of me getting my wish?? Slim, remote, non-existent?? Yes, I thought so too….
Last one was classic….🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I can’t stop laughing…
I hate Klopp, Firmino and Henderson as equal as loosing…
I agree Kedar, Sue’s last remark was a corker !
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha…
…..hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…
……….hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’d say the whole team 🤣🤣👍
Agree 1- 6 (inc’) Sue.
No more “crab” football…………..PLEASE !
We are winning this one Sue. Forget your boy’s (Kolasiniac) brain fart that led to the equalizer. I don’t know why that guy keeps panicking each time he has the ball on his feet.
But whatever happens Sue, you can be sure of Klopp and/or Firmino teeth extravaganza.
It would certainly bring a smile to my face, Gily!!
Yes there will be teeth galore… I just hope the rest of the team haven’t visited Klopp’s dentist!!
Hi Sue. Recent results have been disappointing. And some rumours saying Thomas Partey is about to sign an improved contract at athletico Madrid really breaks my heart. Nothing to be optimistic about if we don’t sign top players. Pep, Klopp, Zidane, Mou were successful managers because they signed top players.
We have 4 strikers. Man City have 2. But the gulf in quality in midfield and the flanks is so huge. If we have Both KDB and Sterling in our squad, we will win the league. We need steel in midfield. The DM position is very important. Yet, we can’t push for Thomas Partey. Arteta will be going in circles if he does not get top players. Top managers need top players to win titles. Chelsea have invested I. Ziyech and Timo. Liverpool will only get better. Man United will invest and are beginning to click. Same with Man City. And the likes of wolves and Sheffield united are not push overs.The question is what is our target for next season? We have the same point as burnley with 3 games to go.
It has been a disappointing season honestly.
We need to push this unserious board to make the right investment.
They have to spend.
Thomas Partey, Lewis Dunk, Nabil Fekir and one of Isco/Asensio/Thomas Lemar/Douglas Costa are a must.
Hi Skills… if we don’t end up with Partey, or an alternative, I will scream!! I think Partey is a real long shot now…
If we don’t show ambition in this window, I’ll be so disappointed… we’ve had so many thrashings, awful performances lately.. more than our fair share, we’re the butt of everyone’s jokes and it’s blatantly obvious (to us anyway!) that we need to spend and spend big… quality doesn’t come cheap! And if the powers that be (Stan and co) decide we’re doing just fine and that Mustafi, Luiz and co will suffice, omg I will have a breakdown!
We deserve better… we are the Arsenal….
Liverpool have nothing else to play for. Wrapped up the league, out of all other comps. And that’s exactly why they’ll thrash us. To A) prove that they’re champs, and B) prove we don’t belong here.
We have to win and i hope we win
And please i want to see some spirit….
Must win…for who? Certainly not for us. Rest everyone in this meaningless game and save them for the cup semi.
Ours is a team that we should not put under any undue pressure of European football. The truth is that the current players mindset does not belong there.
We should allow Arteta to slowly build a strong team without the distractions of Thursday football. I personally don’t even expect us to win against Man City.
Build a strong team with an owner that is unwilling to invest, and a club that is leaking money without the prospect of European football. Losing out on Thursday Night football is only a positive in theory. If we do not get top 4 next season then there is no positive to take from it.
I agree with you RSH. We are not doing well as a club. We are on the same points as burnley with 3 games to go. lol
Our game is for pride, nothing else, as by the league we can’t now get into the CL and practically impossible to get into the EL. Whilst I don’t think resting lots of players works, we do need to think about the cup semi at the weekend and the final which would give us a far better chance of getting into the EL.