It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the season. The away game at Liverpool has a rich and illustrious history but the encounter at Anfield today has a certain newness about it given the recently recruited personnel for each club, both in on-field combatants and in the case of the Merseysiders, a freshly elected leader in Woy Hodgson.
But we must look to our own debutants to see if the faith AW has placed in them proves fruitful on the day and over the season. The Gooner nation expects. Marouanne Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny start at opposite ends of our formation, the former charged with piercing the Reds backline and evading the palms of keeper Pepe Reina, the latter drilled to repel the the likes of Gerrard, Cole and Ngog in the absence of Torres.
Also absent from the starting line-ups are Cesc and RVP, although RVP could sneak on to the bench despite AW’s reservations over his match fitness.
Behind our new central defender and team-mates TV, Sagna and Clichy will probably be Manuel Almunia (a guess). Furious argument has raged all summer about his and LA’s failings and the rebellious hordes – with the lifeblood that is Arsenal pumping through their veins driving adrenaline and debate in equal measure – have demanded a different custodian.
One may arrive soon in the shape of Mark Schwarzer. For now we must support the Spaniard. Or Pole! Who else will secure roles? Players such as Song, Wilshere, Diaby, Eboue, Frimpong, Walcott, Nasri and Rosicky would appear to be in the mix with, of course, Arshavin. The Russian has a superb goalscoring record at Anfield, we must hope he can replicate that this time of asking. Me?
I’ll be in the Flat Iron just up the road from the Kop. Avoid the Arkles, it’ll be mobbed. COYG!
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