Liverpool vs Arsenal Match Thread

[Vermilion]

Not playing Babel is the right decision. He chokes on the big stage.

5 live say there is some thought Babel is carrying an injury.

[DannyMan2006]

Not playing Babel is the right decision. He chokes on the big stage.

Doesn't choke, but he's good when in possession, but pretty awful without the ball. If we are all thinking Arsenal will have alot of the ball, then dropping him is probably the correct decision.

I would have stuck with Babel in the 4231, but I don't get £4m a year or whatever it is.

[JohnDoe]

Very harsh that.

I rate him, but right now he's not strong enough mentally. He'll mature, but he was non existent at their place.

[flyboy]

this formation does worry me a bit....i believe we need 3 central midfielders to protect the centrebacks especially when hyypia is playing

[jonymadness]

I guess it could well be a tweak on the the 3-4-3 we saw last year in a few games with Bellamy and Dirk wide and crouchy through the middle. just tuck the full backs in and move Stevie in front of Masher and Xabi with Nando and Dirk wide?

[Assassin]

Not playing Babel is the right decision. He chokes on the big stage.

Bollocks

[DannyMan2006]

5 live say there is some thought Babel is carrying an injury.

Someone mentioned that on the other thread. I disagree.

If it was just an injury then we would have seen Yossi, Voronin or Riise on the left. He obviously fancies Crouch after the weekends game.

[Vermilion]

Game could be delayed for 15 mins or so, lorry shed its load on motorway or something, holding up some fans. Say 5 live.

[Bender]

Arsenal Team: Almunia, Diaby, Fabregas, Toure, Senderos, Gallas, Hleb, Flamini, Clichy, Adebayor, Eboue.

Arsenal Substitutes: Lehmann, Van Persie, Song, Gilberto, Bendtner, Hoyte, Walcott.

[chadrtc]

4-4-2, Gerrard & Kuyt will be out wide. Rafa's going for it and i for one applaud him for it! This gives the Arse plenty to think about defensively with the pace of Torres and the height of Crouch.

Come on the Redmen!!!

[Assassin]

Arsenal Team: Almunia, Diaby, Fabregas, Toure, Senderos, Gallas, Hleb, Flamini, Clichy, Adebayor, Eboue.

Arsenal Substitutes: Lehmann, Van Persie, Song, Gilberto, Bendtner, Hoyte, Walcott.

No surprises here. Well happy Walcott wasnt picked to start

[JohnDoe]

Hmm... Toure and Eboue on the right, Clichy and Diaby on the left. Pretty solid yet not spectacular.

[flyboy]

think perhaps crouch is there to defend against set pieces

[Assassin]

4-4-2, Gerrard & Kuyt will be out wide. Rafa's going for it and i for one applaud him for it! This gives the Arse plenty to think about defensively with the pace of Torres and the height of Crouch.

Come on the Redmen!!!

I think Sulky G and Kuyt will be given orders to switch flanks continuously during the game

[Assassin]

think perhaps crouch is there to defend against set pieces

Bentdner outjumped him to score in the last game