Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Match Preview

Arsenal vs. Liverpool
English Premier League
Kickoff: Wednesday, January 30, 2:45 PM EST
Emirates Stadium, Norf London
TV Coverage: Fox Soccer Channel
SB Nation Liverpool Coverage: The Liverpool Offside | Anfield Asylum

Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates tomorrow with the Reds looking to draw level with the Gunners on points. Liverpool lost over the weekend to Oldham Athletic in an FA Cupset, but their last Premier League match saw them drop a five-spot on hapless Norwich City, so one shouldn't really count on the Merseyside squad to be pushovers. Last time the two sides met, Arsenal left Anfield with a 2-0 win in the infancy of this season, goals on the break proving the difference.

For Arsenal, Thomas Vermaelen should be back in the side tomorrow, but Francis Coquelin and MIkel Arteta will miss out due to injury (both are questionable for the weekend, but out for sure tomorrow). This will mean that the Jack Wilshere Abou Diaby - Aaron Ramsey pivot should be in full effect, with Santi Cazorla Jack Wilshere roaming between the lines ahead of them. If Theo Walcott isn't on the right, Lukas Podolski on the left, and Olivier Giroud in the center, I'll be the uncle of a primate. Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs will flank the Per Mertesacker-Vermaelen center; hopefully Per's recent dip in form and lack of pace won't be fodder for Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

For Liverpool, Glen Johnson and Pepe Reina return to the side. Jose Enrique is a doubt at left back; if he's not ready, Johnson will play there with Andre Wisdom on the right. Lucas, Jordan Henderson, and Steven Gerrard should comprise the midfield. Suarez and Sturridge will most likely be joined by Stewart Downing, reckons the Liverpool Offside in their match preview.

Tomorrow's match is an opportunity for Arsenal to both gain ground on Tottenham Hotspur and keep Liverpool at bay. What do you reckon the lineup should be? Would you start Theo or Oli G at center forward tomorrow?

Match Prediction: Jordan Henderson scores from distance after Arsenal fail to close him down, but two Walcott goals under a desperate Reina seal the points for the Gunners. Andre Santos looks on while eating double stuf oreos straight out of the package.