Could today's match be as big as the match 20 years past pictured above?Big 4 tilt today in the Premier League. Liverpool hopes to continue to press Man U in the title chase and Arsenal hopes to continue its fine form and 18 match unbeaten streak.
Both sides will be at less than full strength. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard remains out with an adductor injury. Arsenal will have several key players in the Krankenhaus. Strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie are both out, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou and Manuel Almunia will all miss the tie, but fullback Bacary Sagna and striker Eduardo will mark their return.
Full lineups and a bit of Championship chatter for Bigus after the jump.
Arsenal
Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Bendtner
Subs: Mannone, Diaby, Eduardo, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Eboue
Liverpool
Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Benayoun, Riera, Kuyt, Torres
Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, El Zhar, Lucas, Babel, Ngog, Dossena
Whilst we get all wrapped up in a Big 4 matchup, lest we not forget some especially important matchups in the Fizzy Drink. Bigus' beloved Canaries do not hold fate in their hands and need results to go their way to ensure safety. So keep your eyes on the following matches:
Derby County v. Reading - if Reading win a playoff spot will be secured and will have little to play for against Norwich on the 27th.
Coventry City v. Barnsley - on the other end Barnsley sits in the last safe spot ahead of Norwich. Obviously a Coventry win is needed badly for the Birdies. Bigus IMs me saying Coventry owes Norwich for something or rather, but honestly, this is sport there is no oweing except for the gamblers. Let us just hope for the best Norwich results.
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199 comments:
After today, Denilson will have started more games for Arsenal this season than any other player *sigh*
Please let us win
Scousers! Give us a win! Scousers, Scousers give us a win.
/Still holding out hope, though drawing against Franco Zola's pink and blue army was no help
I repeat: Please let us win
2-0 Agger and Yossi.
No seriously... we need to win this one.
Come on you Reds, I just bought a new LFC jacket, let me wear it proudly tonight at the Blazers playoff game.
Georger: I like that! I'm guessing a typical 40-yard drive from DaniAgger and a difficult shot from a tight angle for Yossi's goal?
I feel like they're signature moves at this point.
KILL STEVEN COHEN
COME ON YOU SKY BLUES
Do it for Delia
Do it for Bigus
Do it for Alan Partridge
Please Coventry, beat Barnsley for us.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BLLLLLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
see folks? He really, really wants Coventry to win.
I am on a one-man crusade to pagination
With Yossi in the lineup, I feel confidence. With no Lucas in the lineup, I feel doubly confident.
I got this one.
Coventry Open Thread?
@The Fan's Attic
Didn't Paulie Walnuts wear that in Season 3 of The Sopranos? ;-)
TFA: it's a sweet jacket. I just bought the same one for my lady. I wear the red one, though not at the same time as she's wearing that one, as that would be weird.
Also, please don't mention that game with Michael Thomas. It still makes me sad, though I know the result reinvigorated football at a time when it needed it most, etc etc etc
It's alright to be weird, LB. The wifey and I have an away and home Villa shirt, respectively.
Though we only occasionally both wear them for Villa games.
Keith: I'm not opposed to the owning of the complimenting team jackets, just the idea of wearing them out at the same time.
ha ha, no Capello at Anfield, but Stuart Pearce is there. Still, I'm not sure who he's there to watch! There's barely an Englishman between these two sides!
@LB: Kieran Gibbs!!
Sadly, they only had the white one...I would have preferred a red one, but beggars can't be choosers.
@Spectator: ah yes! Plus he can watch Walcott's form on le bench.
Wow, Agger's actually starting? I like this.
Fabianski, don't make me beat you.
I wish I could participate, alas I cannot. But, I see this ending in a 2-2 draw.
@LB: Cohen's dad is a Spurs fan. And fandom is usually genetic.
Good to get a shot on net to start, nice little move.
@WSR so he's been a big fanboy of no less than THREE London clubs? Laaaame
Looks like I'll have to deal with the choppy YES feed, every other sopcast feed appears to be down
wow, actual good keeping from Fabs.
@Georger - I'm in the same situation. Choppy YES or nothign
Two highest represented teams on here and it's a graveyard. What the hell?
I'm too nervous to type, lest karma intervene
I've a veetle link that is working pretty well. Requires a software install but it's my work computer - what could possibly go wrong?
The YES feed isn't terrible, just happens to buffer whenever there's a scoring chance!
Nice save.
Yeah I don't trust that Veetle jive at all. I prefer to kill my computer with porn and bootleg games.
NERVY
I thought it was pronounced like the Looney Tunes character, clown on me.
COME ON LADS
Love the bright start. Fabianski's already atoned for his efforts at the weekend with a string of good stops.
The good news is that I found a stream for Stoke-Blackburn....wait, that's horrible news.
I'm in the office for the first time since about Jan 4th. I have to hide my reading and posting activities.
Come on, Gunners. Now I need to shower.
Does Arshavin play for Liverpool? Otherwise that was one of the stupidest flags I've seen this season.
Nice pick by Nasri. Dispossessed is one of my favorite words not found here in 'Merica.
Jape you don't watch enough hockey then.
I am refreshing far too many windows on my browser. BBC, Sky, Twitter, UF, Guardian... looking for goals, pleeeeeeease
The color guy absolutely hates Liverpool, who is this?
True enough Georger. If (when) Arsenal score I want to see a Micheal Thomas backwards-roll-over-headstand celebration. How cool would that be?
the fact that we are the EPL's best defensive team despite all the injuries really shows how class Clichy and Sagna are
Good to see the calls are going one way ...
wow. Even I would have called that on Silvestre
Yossi just broke some ankles .... unfortunately this team is legally forbidden from scoring off corners.
How do you figure, NYK? We've only conceded 21 in the EPL, same as Man U. Chelsea have conceded 20, while Arsenal have conceded 28.
Bentner miss? That's unpossible.
Does Arsene really think this is ridiculously-puffy jacket weather?
Best since the New Year, I'm sure he meant
Toure = Senderos in black face?
@LB - that's what the announcer said. I was surprised at the statement, so you're probably right.
Torres is taking some wicked shots
NYK - it's fewest in 2009.
So close to my Agger prediction.
so close!!! COME ON YOU REDS
Lovely game thus far
aha - did they mention that and I missed it, or did they just fail to clarify?
They said in 2009, which is a bit confusing I suppose.
eh, I was most likely just tuning them out
Arshavin was positively Lucas-like there
@Georger @NYK That and it's a wonderful non-stat. I mean, if conceding the fewest goals in 2009 meant something, then I'd see their point. I'll never tire of the fruitless pursuit of stats
Well, of course in 2009- they stopped playing matches against Agbonlahor in 2008 (ironically enough, Gabby went dry the second Arsenal was passed on the schedule)
They're leading the league in ninth inning doubles during the month of August.
golazo!!
Blame Rafa, Georger, blame Rafa.
Fabianski!
The little Russian hitman! One-Nil to the Arsenal....
that sucks
extremely close to offsides, and also close to hitting the bar andcoming out
I mean horrible mistake by Mascherano, but that was never onside.
He looked even with a defender on the far side. My feed is so bad I can't tell who it is though.
that's it, Arsenal. Capitulate in the games that count, then come to life in this fixture that holds almost no value to you whatsoever.
Cunts
Fabianski is now scared to leave his line.
/onside. 2 players.
That's on-sides to me.
/expecting a "fuck-you" any time now.
Eh maybe it was, his body was offside but his feet were even, and that's what matters. It's on Mascherano regardless.
There's some buffoonery, LB
How many chances does Yossi need ..
u75: I mean the kind of buffoonery that counts for something, like a goal
Hopefully one more than he gets, Georger.
Well, he tried his best to help. Who knew there would be someone on the line?
i believe the rule is any part of the body in an offside position, not just the feet. that may be the rule, but it is likely not the practice.
pepe reina: sweeper-keeper
He was a good foot behind two defenders. Semantics on the rules don't matter.
No way in hell was he behind. Even at best, but come on.
Whatever, it's on Mascherano, that's the second major blunder this season against a top four team, not sure why he keeps doing that.
If I were an Arse fan, I'd be happy to be in front at half-time considering the lopsided run of the game, although I'd be pissed that Fabianski waited until a random EPL match to suddenly remember how to play in goal, instead of those heroics on, say, Saturday.
Still, fuck 'im.
@Georger: agreed, though doing it twice doesn't constitute "keeps doing that"
Yeah I thought that as I typed it but couldn't think of a way to not make it sound like a pattern. The bitch of it was, it was a great play to get the ball away in the corner to start with, and probably should have been booted away rather than passed to the box.
is everyone else getting bad 80s dance music at halftime on their feed with video of another match?
If this result doesn't change, I'm breaking my cardinal rule and hoping for a blood bath of Cherokee hair tampon proportions at the hands of United in the semis.
Indeed, and hey look at the ponce in the scarf!
And it's Arsenal, Arsenal FC!
We're by far the greatest team, The world has ever seen!
No souls, the lot of you. I'm coming out swinging in Baltimore.
:mad:
I will be surprised to see Arse keep a clean sheet. This game has at least one Scouse goal written all over it. We need a few more. Say another from Ashavin and one from Eduardo late to seal it. Come On You Gunners!
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE BELONG!
*slams head on desk*
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
weeeeeee!!!!!!!
juuuuuusssssstttt!!!!!!!!!
scooooooooorrrrrrreeedddd!!!!!!!!!
Well that didnt take long. Another poor non clearance.
now that was some shite defending
i have a feeling we will be seeing at least one more from torres and possible two.
Bendtner is fucking jogging out there... is there NO ONE to sub in who will at least run?!?
Did Arsenal end up with only 9 players coming back out after the half?
Benyoun 2-1
LUIS GARCIA PART TWO MUHFUCKAS
hahaha nevermind that was a yard in, great catch by Webb (never thought I'd say that)
Fabianski is poor... but Silvestre and Gibbs are absolute shite... they keep back passing to Fabs with a guy bearing down on him. There goes 4th.
what the hell just happened? stupid text not being descriptive enough.
Arshavin goal up at 101 and it was close probably a fair call.
Hm not Xabi's best game, can't blame him for taking that shot though.
pretty good fantasy soccer day for me as well since I have all three goal scorers on my Yahoo team.
but at least he got the sand out for Riera. that was nice.
Harsh booking, that was accidental.
I've got class in twenty five minutes. Looks like I'll be a bit late for the last day.
Clearly my little song has jinxed Arsenal
it should be 7-1 Liverpool at the mo... ergo, it makes sense it'll end 2-2
I don't like Walcott coming on, remembering what he did against Liverpool in the CL still gives me nightmares.
well that was something. a brilliant strike from the midget Russian
so i guess both of these sides have decided no defense for the rest of the season?
I'm getting ready for a hectic last 20 minutes here, that definitely wasn't the last goal
Hattrick
theres your season
Three horrible balls by Liverpool. Wow Carragher.
Excuse me, Aurelio.
SOOOO... fullbacks eh?
oh boy. the Russian with a hatty on 3 defensive errors
I cannot fucking believe what I'm seeing. Two horrendous turnovers by fullbacks have cost us a title shot. GOD DAMNIT
so just 2 goals to save our season now?
well, at least it's clear, sunny, and eighty degrees outside.
i'm checking to see if the sky is falling though.
So why didn't Insua start? He did well against Arsenal last time we played them.
"WHY THE FUCK WASN'T THE RUSSIAN STARTING AGAINST CHELSEA?!"
Chelsea wouldn't make mistakes like those last two probably.
@Kevin - because Abramovich has ties to the Russian mafia?
UH OH TORRES
I guess I was right when I said there was going to be more goals. What the fuck is going on at Anfield?
wow. I'm having deja vu from last Wednesday
WTF?
This is insane and I haven't seen shit all because I can't find a decent feed. Anyone having any luck?
YES feed on myp2p
Liverpool has 29 goals in the last 9 matches in all comps.
Every time I refresh the Guardian Minute by Minute I'm expecting at least like 3 more goals to show up
Rafa has gotta make another sub at some point right? Nabil for Monster Masche?
Thanks, Georger but I haven't had any luck with that or any other myp2p feed.
Liverpool has 19 shots - 11 on goal. WTF!
Once again, the only clear choice here is Dossena to score the fourth. Into both nets.
From the ESPN soccercast feed guy -
Arsenal are defending like they've been doped with Rohypnol.
did torres just come thisclose to scoring his third?
Yes, Gibbs cleared it with his face on the line.
If there isn't at least five minutes of stoppage time.
GET IN!!!! Cardiff and Conventry both find equalizers! BD must be ecstatic!
i think all the goal scoring broke gamecast.
come on, it's Torres Time!!!
FOUR!!!!!
Jesus.
Well it was nice.
LOOK AT THAT RUN! YESYESYESYES!!!
Holy fuck! What's going on?
all due to Walcott's speed.
and this Arshavin kid may be alright
fuuuuuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkk. Come on Arsenal, at least have the decency to do the same to United.
This is rizz-diculousness!
4-4 What a game
WOW
Greatest game in Premier League history. I'm calling it right fucking now.
You have got to be fucking kidding me. This is beyond incomprehensible.
umm, I must protest.
One more thing..
SUPER JEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
I wouldn't be surprised if a late late late late winner came for either team
paginate. i think my browser my be on fire from all the scoring.
I'm exhausted
Ok Arsenal, do that, except with better defending, three times against United. Godspeed.
No, Aurelio and Arbeloa have put on a wonderful display of incompetence. Massively blown dominated game. Ridiculous.
Arsene will lay down against United, book it.
Jesus crispies.
I am suddenly saddended we didn't win a match we had no business even being in. Arsenal: 4 shots on goal. 4 goals. Liverpool: Where fucking insanely crazy happens.
It's def. time for a beer or 30.
See ya.
On the bright side, there's another ridiculous picture of Arshavin on the Guardian. I can't believe that I thought he wasn't going to be that great.
Meh. Their first goal was all Cesc. Second, while a brilliant strike, was all Arbeloa. Third was all Aurelio. Fourth was 100% Walcott.
That's right assholes, I'm saying a four goal performance wasn't as good as it looks.
With apologies to Jack Buck, I still don't believe what I just saw.
Okay so let's look at this realistically. The games in which United could CONCEIVABLY drop points ...
Spurs: They're playing great and can score goals. But it's at the Theatre of Soggy Biscuits so I would be shocked at a draw
City: Have Robinho. But Hughes will lay down for his future employer. Against, at United.
Arsenal: Sorry but I don't trust Arsene to field anywhere near a decent side at that point in the season
Hull: jk
I actually think Spuds are going to beat United.
But unless a shaman puts a magic touch to Gallas' knee and he can play again this season, the Arse is toast at United.
that was bittersweet
sweet because i love how my club is continually capable of doing that
bitter because...
well...
GET IN PETER CROUCH
Remember Mike, Arsenal aren't clear of Villa just yet. Villa has an insanely easy finishing stretch and could run the table from this point on.
Granted with wins against Portsmouth, Stoke, and Boro, Arsenal can't be caught mathematically. But we go to Fratton Park and Dr. Teeth has had Wenger's number the last couple of seasons. And with defending like that, anything is possible. So Arsenal still need to pick up points against United and Chelsea if at all possible.
Villa couldn't beat Rhianna right now.
You've got nothing to worry about
/topical
Oh lordy... just because our money signing is panning out and didn't have to be shipped back to where he came at a loss, don't get all United on him.
LOOK AT HIM, tell me that isn't the face of a smug United player.
And Robbie Keane could have scored those gifts as well, and been fat all the while.
I meant to link
He looks like the mechanical fish from the Fillet'o'fish commercial.
Bolton, Hull, Fulham, Boro, Newcastle. That's 15 points. Even with Villa's form.
You think that paper thin squad of football manager superstars is walking into The RBK, Craven Cottage, and The Riverside and taking nine points? I just don't see it.
They lost at home to Boro and drew at home to Fulham, back when they were playing respectably, as a point of reference.
The Reebok and the Riverside? Totally.
Craven Cottage might be a bit taller order as Fulham have been pretty stout at home. But the Cottagers are likely to have nothing to play for at that point (save maybe the Fair Play spot).
Hey Boro may suck but they do not give up a lot of goals at home.
And they score fewer.
Point remains: Until Villa drop points, Wenger will have to try to get something from every match still on the schedule.
True, but still I think with two games left, fourth place will be settled.
Georger, Garethdinho is going to be playing either for a transfer to Pool (which will solve your corner kick troubles), or CL play at Villa Park- I fully expect him to bulge the auld onion sack at Boro.
Also, our home form has been terrible this year (not terrible enough to lose to Hull and the Geordies on their awful form, though-- plus, I'll be there to wave some luck over Villa and see Newcastle earn their relegation papers- whoopee!). It's been our away form that's kept us in fifth (with a Moyes' Boys loss tomorrow) even with this terrible stretch. So yes, Villa can definitely take 9 points at the RBK, Riverside and Cottage.
If Benitez sells Alonso to get Barry after this season, I swear I'm gonna cry. Unless they want Barry to play left back (which would be a massive fucking improvement at the moment), I don't see it happening. MON Yossi'ed himself out of some nice transfer funds with that one.
No disrespect meant to Villa, I just don't see anyone catching Arsenal right now.
I don't see it either. But until it's a mathematical certainty, I'm not going to stop worrying.
I remember what it was like to worry about fourth place. MEMMMORRIIIEESSS ...
What was that, last year, or the year before? When was it you finished fifth?
Well, be happy. You have nothing to worry about, not first, not fourth. Nothing. You've got five matches left to jockey with Chelsea for position.
THAT WASN'T MEANT AS A SHOT AT ARSENAL
And it was four years ago thankyou.
Wow, dead on piece on what the PFA shortlist should look like. Good to see some non United blowing from the media every once and then.
Glad to see he got Jagielka right.
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