Arsenal build up

[Alex]

Hopefully Mertesacker plays, he can really be got at. Same with Jenkinson. Who knows though. I think itll be a close game. Especially if Sturridge starts and we get the balance in midfield correct.

[Gibbo]

Can everyone do us a big favour and not post the Classico result in the match thread tonight, and if you do put it in spoilers.

Recording it.

[Shaggy]

So am I. Gonna watch it after

[calvoboy]

Tonight is much more important than the City game IMO. It's our rivals right now, and City is purely bonus points if we can get any, as it is for any side besides United perhaps.

I'm with you regarding confidence about the game, especially considering the results against top teams so far this season, but it's a winable game. That's what I'm comforting myself saying

Yep - if we're going to get past Arsenal and challenge for fourth we cannot afford to lose tonight. I reckon we're going to play Carra and Agger, which will mean Lucas will have to have a good game to stop them from running with pace at our centre backs. To be fair though I think Carra deserves a run (though his legs probably aren't up to playing twice a week). Skrtel has been poor for most of the season, loads of basic errors, bullied easily by big centre forwards, poor distribution...he had one great season last season, but seems to have slipped back to his previous standard.

Our first team is playing well at the moment, and I'm confident of creating chances against Arsenal's defence. But our record there isn't great, and I'd happily take a draw.

[BigChief]

I think it before every game we play but Suarez could really ruin their back four.

Arsenal's back four are due a ruining. Manure obliged previously and we should with a world class star like Suarez. Anything less than 5 goals against them and I'll be disappointed.

[Lee]

I think it before every game we play but Suarez could really ruin their back four.

If he's on form then he could have a field day.

Then again the same could be said for Walcott and Cazorla.

Does anyone know what the likely Arsenal line up will be? Do they have any injuries or suspensions?

My biggest concern is our back line. Hopefully Johnson will be back on the right, Skrtel and Agger in the middle, and **** knows about LB. Enrique if he's ready I suppose.

Gerrard, Lucas and Henderson in the middle.

Suarez, Sturridge and erm, probably Sterling up top.

[Paddy]

----------------Reina-----------------
------Skrtel---Agger---Carra--------
Johnson----------------------Enrique
---------Gerrard--Lucas--------------
------------Henderson----------------
-----Suarez------------Sturridge-----

I can see 3 CB's for sure.

[Fredo]

The issue with Carra playing is that we'll have to play deeper, which would mean that we wouldn't be able to press that much. Under Rafa, we used to master the art of the offside trap, which allowed us to negate the lack of speed in our backline. I don't think we have been working on that too much under Rodgers.

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

Watching this with an Arsenal mate so i'm really hoping we put some effort in

[Fosterbloke]

I don't feel confident at all... I'm usually optimistic.

I think we need a really good centre back in the summer. Don't know who but someone who doesn't get ****ted about and has good concentration.

[Mark79]

But that was unanimously accepted as a terrible league season and a stick often used to beat him.

Hopefully Rodgers can win the Europa or keep the league form improving and get us in the top 4.

The next two are massive. Nervous about tonight, and not confident.

Yes but league form really picked up after that. I think it just brings a bit of perspective for anyone who's really doubting Rodgers at this early stage.

I'd say that people tend to overlook how difficult that season was league wise (5th was actually flattering, given our points tally) and only really remember the Champions League success but thats just my impression.

[Robbie-fowler999]

The missus's new bloke has a share of an arsenal season ticket, I don't care if we fail to win another game we must win this. I want that much at least. Come on God's, you owe me one.

[Chazza]

A quick peruse on a couple of Arsenal forums and the feeling is the line up will be something like:-

Szczesny

Sagna
Vermaelen
Mertesacker
Gibbs

Arteta/ Diaby
Wilshere
Cazorla

Walcott
Podolski
Giroud

[Alex]

I am pretty sure we wont play with a back 3. There isnt much need is there? We need the extra bodies in midfield if anything to combat Wilshire and Cazorla.

[Chazza]

Carragher in instead of Skrtel.