Arsenal travel to Anfield looking to retain top spot

Wenger wants Gunners to continue momentum as games come thick and fast

LIVERPOOL: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will face a stern test of their Premier League title credentials when they take on Liverpool on Wednesday.

Wenger’s side head to Anfield two points clear at the head of the table and having won five of their last six league games.

The weekend FA Cup third round victory over Sunderland extended their winning run and Wenger acknowledges his side’s recent success has strengthened the belief they can push on during the second half of the season.

The Gunners manager, though, knows any meeting with Liverpool carries an extra edge that was demonstrated when the sides met on Merseyside last season, with the home side clinching a point thanks to Martin Skrtel’s stoppage-time equaliser.



“The momentum creates confidence and confidence is vital at that level,” said Wenger. “In December and now in January we have been consistent and we go into a very important part of the season because we play many games.”

The Frenchman knows it won’t be easy to return from Liverpool with three points. “Every time we go to Anfield, we face a team who is up for it. It’s always a ferocious battle, no matter who the manager is,” he said. “They had a very strong manager before, they have a very strong one now and Jurgen Klopp has the personality to do well there.”

Wenger hopes to add Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny to his squad this week.

“I expect Mohamed yes, we are positive that this week it can happen,” he said.



And his options will shortly be strengthened by the return to fitness of Alexis Sanchez, although the Chile striker will not make the trip to Liverpool.

“We think he will be short for Wednesday,” said Wenger.

Klopp took over at Liverpool after the sides had drawn 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League in August.

And the German admits watching Wenger’s work at closer quarters has impressed him even more as the Liverpool boss prepares for huge back-to-back home games against the Gunners and Manchester United.

“My respect for Arsene Wenger grows day by day,” he said. “It’s really intense to work in the Premier League and he’s done a brilliant job.”



City, Everton clash again

Manchester City and Everton play the second instalment of their league and cup trilogy on Wednesday with all parties insisting thoughts of Wembley will go on hold.

The two clubs met in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Everton last Wednesday when the Merseysiders got their noses in front thanks to a 2-1 win.

And Everton manager Roberto Martinez says it is important for his players to forget the cup for now and focus on the league showdown.

“The game on Wednesday is so important in the league for different reasons; they’re trying to get that top spot and we’re trying to get as high up as we can, and the three points are important in themselves,” he said.

City, three points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, completed a run of four successive away fixtures with a 3-0 win at Norwich in the third round of the FA Cup last Saturday.

That win has kept Manuel Pellegrini’s side on course for an unlikely quadruple of trophies domestically and in the Champions League. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2016.

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