Arsenal v Liverpool Preview
Battle of the Young Guns at the Emirates in Carling Cup Showdown
Oct 27, 2009
Both Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez have a history of reshuffling the pack when it comes to the Carling cup with the former giving his youngsters the opportunity to stake a claim in the first team whilst the Anfield side gives the fringe players a chance to impress. Though we can expect weakened sides to take the field when the teams meet at the Emirates on Wednesday night, we can also expect to see a few more familiar faces than usual.
Liverpool Looking For Convincing Performance
After a poor run of form Liverpool's scintillating victory over Manchester United at the weekend needs to be used as a catalyst to rejuvenate their season. Arguably, a Carling Cup match away to Arsenal is not the ideal scenario. What Benitez will be looking for however is the kind of determined performance they displayed against the reigning Champions regardless of the result.
The two teams have a history of producing some mouth-watering ties in the Carling Cup competition, most recently in 2007 when Arsenal's youngsters outclassed virtually a full strength Liverpool side in a 3-6 drubbing at Anfield. That result illustrated just how much more strength in depth the London side have over their Merseyside counterparts and not much has changed since then.
Wenger is likely to make one change to his back four, bringing in the promising left-back Kieron Gibbs for Gael Clichy. Denilson is also likely to get the nod in midfield alongside two of England's brightest talents, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilkshere, both of whom have already impressed for Arsenal this season. Promising French youngster Francis Coquelin may also be given a chance protecting Arsenal's backline whilst Eduardo and Niklas Bendtner are expected to lead the attack.
Multi-million Pound of Premier League Talent on the Bench
Though both managers may throw caution to the wind, rest assured they will have plenty of ammunition as back up with multi-million pounds worth of talent sitting on the bench. Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Andrei Arshavin are likely to be named as substitutes whilst on the opposite bench, Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson will be asked to repair any damage should it be required. Having recovered from ankle surgery, the summer signing from Roma, Alberto Aquilani may also be given a taste of first team football. One noticeable absentee will be Steven Gerrard.
Benitez will not be comfortable tampering with his defence too much, but is likely to name Diego Cavalieri in goal with Martin Skertl coming in for Daniel Agger alongside Jamie Carragher. Martin Kelly's performance against Lyon last week should be enough to earn him a role at right back in place of Glen Johnson. With Javier Mascherano suspended following his dismissal against United at the weekend, youngsters Damien Plessis and Jay Spearing are likely to be asked to step in alongside Lucas Leiva in the centre of midfield with Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin providing the width in support of young French striker, David Ngog.
Arsenal Youth Academy has Proven Quality
Both clubs have invested heavily in their Academy's and the Carling Cup is an ideal opportunity for them to showcase the products of their schooling. In recent years Arsenal have consistently shown the quality of their youngsters is to be rivalled and envied. There's little to suggest the young gunners won't prove themselves again.
