The last two times that Arsenal faced a big name in the English game, things did not go too well. The Gunners will be hoping to give a proper retort at the third time of asking when they host Liverpool in the English Premier League Wednesday.
Arsenal put in abject first half performances against both Manchester City and Chelsea, which eventually led to them losing both games. This time around at the Emirates, a quick start will be imperative against a Liverpool side which have grown in confidence in the league as the season has progressed.
Only three points separate the two sides, which lie sixth and seventh respectively; so nothing but a win will do if either are to harbor any serious hopes of a top-four place.
Arsenal are not a team that goes for the jugular anymore; one that dominates right from the off and does not let go of the stranglehold.
Slow starts have been the bane so far in the past few games, including the 5-1 win over West Ham and the 3-2 victory against Brighton in the F.A. Cup, and that trend should end at the Emirates Wednesday.
Liverpool, on their day are capable of beating any side, particularly with the form that Luis Suarez is in at the moment. The embarrassing loss to Oldham in the Cup will for sure have upset the team and manager Brendan Rodgers will expect a reaction against Arsenal.
The Gunners need to be aware of the threat posed by Suarez, who in his new roaming role, can pop up from anywhere to score.
The arrival of Daniel Sturridge has worked in Liverpool's favor in two ways - one: the attention towards Suarez has come down a bit allowing the Uruguayan more space, and two: there is a lot more cutting edge about the side. Arsenal's defense has never looked safe, and Liverpool will look to exploit that weakness. .
Liverpool will welcome back Glen Johnson, Pepe Reina and Jose Enrique, leaving Rodgers with plenty of options.
Skipper and defensive rock Thomas Vermaelen has recovered from his injury, but Mikel Arteta and Francis Coquelin remain ruled out.
The Gunners need to play to their strengths. Keep the ball in the middle, and allow the likes of Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla to run the game by giving as much possession as possible to them.
The form of Olivier Giroud is a big positive for Arsenal, but the Frenchman needs to step it up in big games. Theo Walcott will again look to move in from the right and make the runs between the fullback and center-back.
Walcott has shown he is potent in front of goal and Arsenal will need him to be at his best, as also Lukas Podolski, who has slowly but surely shown the kind of form expected when he signed in the summer from Koln.
"It's going to be an intense game," Walcott told the club's official website.
"Both teams are fighting for that fourth position and are very close together. But I think the way we played at home the other day (against West Ham) shows that we are strong enough to beat them.
"Yes (the momentum is growing). It has been up and down, there have been patches of brilliance, but we need to do it in every game.
"We have tended to start slowly and then wake up and that's something we need to get out of our system. It's about being concentrated."
Expected lineups: Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Wilshere; Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud.
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Allen, Gerrard; Downing, Sturridge, Suarez.
Prediction: 2-1 to Arsenal
