Arsene Wenger’s consistent ploy is to remind everyone of the fact that he continues to win trophies – aside from the Emirates Cup – with constant qualification for the Champions League.
Indeed this is exceptional, 16 straight years in Europe’s top table. However, having been without a trophy for nearly nine years, many Arsenal fans want to ditch finances for silverware.
Yet it is a different story on the red half of Merseyside. Having last tasted Champions League football in 2009, Liverpool are desperate to ensure that drought ends this season by finishing in the Premier League’s top four. It could also be because of the League Cup win in 2012, only two years ago compared to 2005 for Arsenal with the F.A Cup.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Champions League is more important than winning a domestic cup, especially when you have not been in the competition for many years, like Liverpool. Yet cup runs, trips to Wembley and silverware at the end are stuff of dreams for football fans, especially ones who’s experience of the feeling came nearly a decade ago.
Therefore the meeting between Liverpool and Arsenal this weekend is covered with intrigue. Liverpool are on a hot streak at the moment in terms of goals (now only two behind Manchester City in the league), while defeat last came by Chelsea in 2013. Meanwhile, Arsenal seem to be experiencing fatigue in crucial postions, such as Olivier Giroud and are winless in their last two games, with one being a certain 5-1 hammering at Anfield.
With their fixture list being compiled by the Devil, the game against Liverpool at home may arguably represent the easiest on paper, such is their upcoming run.
Yet this is where Wenger’s European policy strikes again.
With rumours of a weakened team against the Reds on Sunday so the likes of Giroud can be rested for Bayern Munich in midweek, Wenger is prepared to give up the F.A Cup, by far Arsenal’s most realistic chance of a trophy, for a Champions League tie they are unlikley to win, even at full strength.
Therefore Liverpool must capitalise. A near full-strength team is likely, as Liverpool have a week until their next game, which is actually easier, at home to Swansea. Victor Moses may come in for Raheem Sterling or Coutinho, while hopefully Daniel Agger comes in for Kolo Toure, but the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard should all play at the Emirates this weekend.
Their inclusion is vital, because whilst Arsenal fans currently live in anxiety at the prospect of their season falling apart, Liverpool fans are determined to keep their feet on the ground, yet they all realise the potential for the rest of the season.
Now firmly the dark horses in the title race, a win at Arsenal could set them up for a Wembley final too, with one of Chelsea or Manchester City set to be knocked out in their blockbuster tie and the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United already out.
Furthermore, forgetting replays, Liverpool are only four wins away from F.A Cup glory, which compared to the seven games for the Champions League, where those are all against the world’s best; Liverpool could draw Sheffield United in the quarter finals if they progress. It would barely ripple the light fixture list, one of Liverpool’s advantages over their title rivals.
Top four is the main target and nothing should detract from that. But, unlike Wenger, if there is a trophy there to be won, Liverpool should grasp the opportunity with both hands.
There is nothing like a bit of silverware.
I thought Arsenal and its fans suffering from trophy drought for almost a decade. What an amazing article !!! Just few years ago KK won us a trophy 🙂
As an Arsenal fan reading this I couldn’t argue against any of the points made for the importance of a cup run. In Liverpool’s position at this point I would have rather Champions League qualification to a domestic cup success, however for Arsenal the drought was becoming unbearable and pained many of the fans to even think of. Thankfully both teams got what they wanted at the end of the season (barring the title, which neither team was dreaming of back at opening day). Having now achieved domestic success with the FA Cup win, Arsenal can now afford 1/2 seasons without a trophy, but obviously any more silverware to add to the cabinet is always nice. Liverpool can now prove their power by competing in the Champions League again and I look forward to that.