Can Arsenal Score Without Adebayor and van Persie?

Will Liverpool shut Arsenal out?

Arsenal will be without Adebayor (hamstring) and van Persie (groin) so it seems likely that Walcott will be alongside either the much maligned Bendtner or Eduardo who may return from injury. At the back, Sagna may return after recovering from a virus but Arsenal will still be without Clichy, Gallas and Djourou with Fabianski again deputising for the injured Almunia (ankle).

Liverpool will be without Gerrard but it is reasonable to suspect that they will field an otherwise full-strength side (if Rafa Benitez can ever be relied on to go with a “predictable” team-sheet) and it seems that Liverpool will want to get the job done in the first 60 minutes and then ring the changes.

Laying Arsenal seems a safe bet, covering the unlikely event of Rafa resting more players at the start, but I like the look of “Liverpool to keep a clean sheet” (6/4 at Betfair) due Arsenal’s lack of in form strike power up front and a full strength Liverpool defence keen to prove that they can hold on to a lead. It seems a better bet for me when it will be difficult to predict a winning margin. Backing Liverpool at 4/5 (Betfair) this morning could also offer trading opportunities as kick off time approaches.