What a chance. What a glorious opportunity to make ground on the already-crowned champions of England, and the title-holders.

After Chelsea drew hilarious with Everton at home (and you thought we had set-piece issues), and Aston Villa produced a brave, sterling display to overcome their Old Trafford hoodoo, Arsenal, while still some distance behind the leaders, now have a priceless opportunity to make up some ground with those games-in-hand of theirs.

What a pity, then, that it comes in that most riveting of fixtures, Liverpool v Arsenal at Anfield.

This will always be a daunting fixture, at least for my sensibilities, but it is far from an impossible one. Liverpool’s mire of form is well-documented and while ours could be better, we have the armoury to cause the Anfield side some grief.

Two big choices await Arsene Wenger ahead of this clash. Firstly, does he go with the still-shaky Theo Walcott on the right flank, using his pace to terrify Liverpool at his happy hunting ground? Or does he bring in someone else, like the taller Abou Diaby (also recently returned from injury), or the in-form Aaron Ramsey?

If Arsenal could keep it tight, the psychological benefit of bringing on the speedy Englishman could do wonders do make a shaky Liverpool defence even shakier in the dying minutes.

That is Theo’s traditional strength, but the man who dreams of playing for England at the World Cup should look more closely at one of his competitors, the diminutive Shaun Wright-Phillips, for outright pace from the start of the match to it’s miserable end. Something to keep in mind should he start.

The other poser sits in central midfield. Fabregas and Song, bar some mysterious niggle we haven’t heard about, are certainties to start. The latter will have a tremendous task ahead of him to keep even a jaded Fernando Torres in check.

But it’s the third part of that midfield triangle that is up for grabs. Denilson might be the shoe-in, given the balancing act he provides in the centre. But Aaron Ramsey has a worthy shout for contention too, after some impressive performances against Stoke and Olympiakos.

Both have their reasons for inclusion but only one will start. Does Wenger go for containment, or a full tilt at a shaky Liverpool side?

Make no mistake, Liverpool will be up for this with Gerrard and Torres back in the side. Both need to be nullified, but that in itself can be done if Arsenal play their own game and keep Gerrard and Mascherano occupied with defensive work rather than looking for pot shots.

Torres will forever remain an absurdly talented, unpredictable opponent. Whether it’s an off-day or not for him, Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas will have to be up for it, and then some, to contain the damage he’s capable of causing.

I make it sound easier than it is. Anfield remains a daunting fixture and Liverpool, despite their preposterously bad form, somehow remain favourites for this. But they will be very wary of us, as we should be of them.

It’s a massive chance to shut some of the pundits up, get a result, and reignite some momentum in this title race. Our games in hand are a real currency, and it’s time to use them.

COME. ON. ARSENAL.

Filed under: Arsenal, English Premier League, Liverpool