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Chelsea, Liverpool look for Premier League boost
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-10 10:33
Arsenal can make it into Europe's elite competition by winning the trophy for
the first time this year but will not want to pin all their hopes on achieving
that difficult task.
With a move to their new Emirates Stadium fast approaching next term Arsene
Wenger's men will be hoping Spurs leave Stamford Bridge with nothing while his
side beat Liverpool.
Chelsea have not lost a league game against Tottenham since 1990, although
Jol's team are now a force to be reckoned with after their best Premier League
campaign.
The last time the side's met at White Hart Lane earlier this season the
champions won 2-0 but only after Tottenham striker Mido was sent off in the
first half for elbowing Del Horno.
The law of averages says Spurs must eventually prevail over their west London
rivals, although Chelsea's unbeaten league run against Tottenham now stands at a
remarkable 31 matches.
Dutch winger Arjen Robben is suspended for the Blues.
Deposed European champions Liverpool travel to Highbury to face a Gunners
side on a high after getting past Real Madrid to reach the Champions League
quarter-finals.
As the only British club left in the competition, Arsenal's tails will be up
as they try and close the gap on Tottenham.
Liverpool's failure to take early chances against Benfica in the 2-0 midweek
defeat put the spotlight back on their misfiring forwards who have yet to score
a league goal this year.
"Of course, we need to start scoring goals," says Benitez. "The strikers are
desperate to score and we must ensure that we continue to create chances for
them."
Arsenal's young defence, on the other hand, has tightened up since a dreadful
spell culminating in defeat at home to West Ham United and will be confident of
containing the visitors.
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