Arsenal hosts Liverpool on Wednesday in a match that will pit two sides fighting for a top four position in the Premier League.
(Photo: Reuters/Dylan Martinez)Arsenal's Lukas Podolski (C) celebrates with team mate Per Mertesacker (L) and Carl Jenkinson after scoring against Southampton during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London September 15, 2012.Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be sure to focus his side ahead of the match at the Emirates, given that a mere three points separate the Gunners and Liverpool in the Premier League table. Wenger is focused on extending that lead to six points.
Arsenal showed a strong desire to remain in contention for a top four finish after they were able to come back from a one goal deficit to pound West Ham 5-1 during the club's last Premier League match.
The Gunners were also able to hold off a charging Brighton side to remain in the FA Cup after they beat the lower league team 3-2 over the weekend.
Wenger will welcome news of the return of Mikel Arteta, but it is unlikely the Spaniard will see any playing time this week. This will mean Wenger will most likely keep his 3-man midfield approach with Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers was most assuredly embarrassed after his side fell 3-2 to League One side Oldham Athletic during the fourth round of the FA Cup. Rodgers used a post-game press conference to address his clubs lack of mental focus.
"I don't think that as a team we are physically light or short in any way," Rogers said during a press conference. "I think it's mental and that's something we need to improve. We've been in many games where physical questions have been asked of us and we've come through that."
Liverpool currently sits seventh in the table, three points behind sixth place Arsenal, and seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race for a top four finish.
Kick-off for the match is at 2:45 p.m. ET and can be watched online here.
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