Emmanuel Eboue has a case to start the game at right back as we are at home but with the defence in shambolic form as a unit I do not imagine Wenger resting one of our better defenders for a more offensive choice. Theo Walcott is likely to start ahead of him

The mood around the Gooner faithful is feeling rather flat at this moment in time, defeats against our rivals has hurt very much, especially when they have been so emphatic. Arsene Wenger will certainly be earning his corn this week as the pressure around him grows and the sound of negative voices screech all from every direction.

When Chelsea came to the Emirates and picked us off, similar noises were reverberating around the Emirates. Arsenal were then written off as title challengers and the general consensus was that the Gunners had no hope of getting back into the race. Arsenal then clawed back an eleven point lead on Chelsea and were back in the frame again. Granted the margin for error has changed dramatically, it would take an almighty effort to make it back up from the bottom of the ocean but we have not drowned yet.

I would rather the team fought until the end in the hope that Chelsea and Manchester United will drop points, until the time comes where it is impossible to win the league then I shall continue hoping for the best as nothing we do whether it be negative or positive will make any difference to the end result come the end of the season.

This was the fixture that I thought would be our best chance of winning from the four difficult games in a row starting at Villa Park. A few weeks later situations have changed, Liverpool have built up momentum while it would be foolish to suggest that our team were unlikely to suffer a knock of confidence following our two defeats in our last two Sunday’s.

Results in recent weeks has meant that Liverpool are now closer to us than we are to the top, so beating Liverpool is a must for more than one reason. It is yet another indication of how quickly football can change.

On the injury front, we are much as we were. Eduardo has not recovered from what was supposed to be a very very small hamstring. It looks like it has turned into a very very medium hamstring.

Judging by Wenger’s press conference it looks as if Nicklas Bendtner is still not ready to start as he is not moving freely right now so it could be a continued front line of Walcott, Arshavin and or Nasri/Rosicky.

Emmanuel Eboue has a case to start the game at right back as we are at home but with the defence in shambolic form as a unit I do not imagine Wenger resting one of our better defenders for a more offensive choice. Theo Walcott is likely to start ahead of him in attack as I am sure Wenger wants to play Walcott into match fitness and form.

I expect Liverpool to follow the same path as both Manchester United and Chelsea, we have yet to come up with an answer to a good defence along with the quick counter attack. Arsene will be hoping that the team cut out previous mistakes and that certain players improve current form.

One to watch: Abou Diaby

Having just returned from a calf injury, Abou Diaby was back to his best against Chelsea and hopefully can continue that for the rest of the season. Diaby will be facing Gerrard and his task will be to push Gerrard towards his own goal instead of having to worry about his offensive threat.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

It is time to put our defeats behind us and look forward. The game is now massive and victory is a must. Time for the leaders on the pitch to lead, time to fight for the remainder of our league season.