After being heavily criticised for his rotation policy early in the season, Benitez looks like he might have the last laugh. His players are fighting fit and look the favourites to go through against a feeble and fatigued Arsenal team. Cesc seems to have lost his spark since that magical moment at the San Siro, but Wenger still believes he "has enough in the tank" because the Arsenal game doesn't tax individual players as much.
We're going to need much more than a fit Fabregas to overcome this Liverpool team though. Crouch has a great history against us, with a goal in the last game, and remember the hattrick? Gerrard will have a load of confidence after leaving Toure in a sorry heap to create that goal in the first leg. Reina can always be relied upon to stop at least a couple of 'certain' Arsenal goalward shots.
But hopefully Adebayor can produce something. He's definitely a threat to the Liverpool defence. They aren't equipped to defend against him, especially on set pieces. For Walcott, it's just a matter of time before he becomes that lethal weapon we need so badly. He was really incisive in the first leg when he came on as a forward, and I hope he gets his chance here tonight. RVP is back, though I have my doubts over his fitness. He hasn't looked really ready since his return and has been making mistakes in the box.
Here's how we line up (from the arsenal.com match menu)
Arsenal squad to face Liverpool:
1 Jens LEHMANN
2 Abou DIABY
4 Cesc FABREGAS
5 Kolo TOURE
6 Philippe SENDEROS
10 William GALLAS
11 Robin VAN PERSIE
13 Alexander HLEB
16 Mathieu FLAMINI
17 Alex SONG
19 GILBERTO
22 Gael CLICHY
24 Manuel ALMUNIA
25 Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
26 Nicklas BENDTNER
27 Emmanuel EBOUE
31 Justin HOYTE
32 Theo WALCOTT
There's everything to play for, especially if Fenerbahce manage to keep Chelski out. Keep your fingers crossed for this one.
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