CL preview…. Robin fit!

The Reds in training

To start with the good news: Robin van Persie is fit for the Liverpool – Arsenal match! The Dutch striker is part of Wenger’s selection, as are Babel and Kuyt for Liverpool.

The two behemoths will play each other for the third time in 6 days, this time the semifinals of the CL are on the line. As you may remember, it was Arsenal getting un front after an Adabayor header (Van Persie assist). Kuyt made the 1-1 soon after, on a Gerrard service. It’s all in the open, even if the games at Anfield… Kuyt and Babel in the semis, or Cesc and Robin?

Chelsea meets Fenerbahce in London after having lost 2-1 in Turkey in a cracker of a game. Is it going to be Kezman and Roberto Carlos in the semis, or Henk ten Cate and Salo Kalou?

Wednesday, the action is Man United vs AS Roma in England and Barca in Camp Nou vs Schalke 04. Barca has a 1-0 lead, the Red Devils lead 2-0… So, if all goes as expected we’ll see a Man United – Barca semis. Francesco Totti again will not play in this match. Exciting.

Robin wasn’t seen as injured this time, in Wenger’s book. The former Feyenoord star was stiff and Wenger didn’t want to take any risk. He’d rather save Van Persie for the semis if his little pains don’t go away.
Yesterday, Wenger said he wasn’t disappointed if Arsenal can’t snatch the title. “Listen, it’s easy to be disappointed, but you have to stay objective. At the start of the season, every one said Arsenal would have a tough season with all those youngsters. They said we’d be lucky to finish 5th. Now it’s April and with those youngsters we still have a chance to win the CL and to win the title.”

Cesc Fabregas: “We don’t care whether we play home or away. We’ve shown against AC Milan that we play our own game where ever we play. Liverpool at home is strong of course, with that fanatical fanbase, but we have players who will grow in a intimidating atmosphere. The adrenaline will soar through your body and you are able to really rise to the occasion.”

Liverpool manager isn’t too proud to play counter-football on Anfield Road. “Arsenal is allowed to dominate if they want. We will do what we do best: fight for every yard.” Benitez counts on the leaders in his team to step up to the plate. Dirk Kuyt is one of them. The fans have placed him on a pedestal now he plays in a new position. “Dirk was great against Arsenal last week. Our most important player. I want everyone to take him as an example if we want to reach the finals.”

Steven Gerrard:” We may not have the best team in England, or play the greatest football, but we are definitely the strongest. We are good in knock-out football. No one will stop fighting until the ref ends the game. Arsenal can kill an opponent with fantastic football in the last ten minutes of the game. They have done that many times. I think Liverpool is the only team capable of withstanding that.”