Gunners plan goalfest for next shootout

Arsene Wenger is urging his Arsenal team to make the most of Manchester United’s midweek ’rest’ and extend their lead at the ...

int(2)

Arsene Wenger is urging his Arsenal team to make the most of Manchester United’s midweek ’rest’ and extend their lead at the top of the table when they travel to Liverpool tomorrow. Arsenal, the reigning champions, are five points clear of second-placed United.

But Alex Ferguson’s men could fall further behind for the moment after they managed to get their away match against Birmingham City today postponed until February 4. Ferguson, who saw his team thrash premiership basement boys West Ham 6-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, was worried about his players facing two games in 48 hours.

Moving the match to tomorrow was not an option as City’s local rivals West Brom were already at home to Charlton and the police is concerned about the prospect of two major matches taking place in the Birmingham area on the same night.

Story continues below this ad

Wenger, whose team will go eight points clear if they beat Liverpool, said of United’s move: “It gives us an opportunity to extend our lead and we will go there to do that. We are in great condition.”

Traditionally, all FA Cup ties were played on Saturdays. But the desire of broadcasters to space matches out over the weekend has angered Wenger.”The games should all be played at the same moment if you want a regular competition,” he argued.

“When television rules interfere, that means the FA Cup interferes with the premier league. I can see that United have the right to say they don’t want to play two big games in 48 hours,” Wenger added.

Incidentally, Wenger is all set to recall Thierry Henry, David Seaman and Gilberto Silva, all of whom were rested against Farnborough in their recent FA Cup tie, and England full-back Ashley Cole is also slated to return after a two-game suspension. But Cole’s fellow England defender Martin Keown is banned and Sweden midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg is out with an achilles injury.

Story continues below this ad

Arsenal have had 24 hours more rest than Liverpool, who could only manage a goalless draw against first division Crystal Palace in their FA Cup tie on Sunday. That match also saw Liverpool ’keeper Chris Kirkland sustain a season-ending knee injury after a collision with Palace striker Dele Adebola.

Despite their slide down the league table – Liverpool are 14 points behind Arsenal in sixth place – they are in the final of the English League Cup and are still involved in the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. But their French manager, Gerard Houllier, remains worried by his side’s goalscoring ability.