And so it begins. The trilogy of meetings with Liverpool commences this evening with the Champions League first leg. The usual references to last season’s cup meetings have been played out, even though those fixtures are irrelevant, a footnote in the history in both clubs.

Anyone looking for a pointer as to how this quarter-final will play out need only look at the meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea in this competition over recent seasons. I am fully expecting a tight affair which if this evening ends with ‘Liverpool 0‘ at the end of it, will be a good result. A commanding lead for next week’s return would obviously be ideal but nonetheless as the 2006 run and the victory in the last round against Milan proved, a clean sheet at home is of equal import.

The win at The Reebok at the weekend came at an opportune time and one would hope that the efforts of the ten men were not too telling, especially with the extra day to recover than Arsenal would normally have for a midweek home match. Arsene observed that the victory arrived at an opportune moment,

We needed the win because when you don’t win for a while, it plays on your mind. It was a good way to prepare for Liverpool on Wednesday

The manner of the comeback, despite Bolton’s position in the League and their form, is the key to matters. Had the team been low on confidence, put simply retrieving a two goal deficit with ten men would have been unlikely. Despite the damage done to the title challenge by the series of draws and defeat at Stamford Bridge, they have dusted themselves down and returned to winning ways. Whether that is a permanent return remains to be seen but the signs are hopeful at the very least.

Defence is perhaps Arsene’s biggest conundrum. Moving Kolo Toure to Right Back and bringing Philippe Senderos into the middle did not provide any more security in front of Almunia at the weekend and this evening the central threat from Torres will require more vigilance than recent weeks. If the weekend’s formation is kept, simply put, more concentration is required as last night’s other quarter-finals proved with two of the three goals scored over both ties being down to lapses in marking and application.

In midfield, there is a strong case for the inclusion of Theo Walcott from the start. His pace would keep the Liverpool midfield occupied and perhaps on the back foot if he gets enough support from Toure. He did well in both defensive duties and in attack in the final half an hour at the weekend, perhaps sufficiently pressing his claims for inclusion. The rumours surrounding a quick pay-off to Southampton came at a curious time. I say curious but perhaps fortuitous for Rupert Lowe who has demanded an EGM to remove some of the Southampton Board. I wonder if the two could possibly be related.

In the centre, Flamini - whose reported move by L’Equipe to Juventus was rubbished by Arsene yet again - and Fabregas are likely to be worked hard by Gerrard, Mascherano and Alonso. Fabregas meanwhile has been looking ahead,

I am dreaming of playing in another Champions League final. If it is against Barcelona it will be difficult because they have a great team. All I want is another chance of playing in a final, whoever that is against. If we won, then in five years’ time nobody will care who the opposition was…But this is what we have been given and we have to deal with it

He might dream but he will be woken up pretty quickly with some close attention from his opposite numbers. He played coy on Spanish radio about his role in the team and then gave himself a big ‘up’,

I am still a youngster here. When you look at the team I am still one of the youngest and am still a boy really. I do feel important and for any player that is vital

Equally important is going to be Alex Hleb. Whilst Fabregas draws the pundits plaudits, Hleb is due a ‘big’ game and tonight would be the ideal opportunity for him to supply Robin van Persie and returning Emmanuel Adebayor with the ammunition. It has been a while since an Arsenal forward scored from open play - Adebayor in Milan the last, I think - and hopefully the penalty at Bolton will have boosted the Dutchman’s confidence because his shooting boots were a tad wayward still aside from that moment.

I suspect the line-up for tonight will be

Almunia; Toure, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy; Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb; van Persie, Adebayor

with a bench of

Lehmann, Hoyte, Gilberto, Diaby, Walcott, Bendtner, Song

Whatever happens up front, the mantra of ‘clean sheet, clean sheet, clean sheet‘ should be heard emanating from the Arsenal dressing room. I have confidence that they will score at Anfield and one goal might be enough.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

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