EVEN though Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League, questions are being asked of the team's title credentials ahead of tomorrow's standout match against Liverpool.
Home losses to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and Chelsea in the last 16 of the League Cup have been seized upon by critics who believe Arsenal still lack the class and squad depth to last the course in the title race.
Liverpool, who are third in the standings and level on points with second-placed Chelsea, are only the second team Arsenal have played with a genuine chance of finishing in the Champions League positions this season.
Chelsea and Manchester United are starting to run into some form ahead of matches at Newcastle and Fulham, while Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has a goalkeeping dilemma for the home game against Norwich.
It was not the results against Dortmund and Chelsea but the manner of the performances that got many Arsenal fans worried.
Largely outplayed by both visiting teams, the Gunners managed only three shots on target in those games and the dependence on striker Olivier Giroud will be of concern to manager Arsene Wenger.
Wenger, though, has seen his side win seven of their last eight matches in the league and is not panicking.
"Let's not reach a conclusion too quickly," Wenger said. "I think if you take the points we have made since January 1, it's more than everybody else.
"I believe that, over a longer distance, you'll see more of the quality of the team than in the last two games."
Liverpool will bank of their deadly forwards Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
The duo's pace, movement and finishing prowess is proving to be a nightmare for Premier League defences.
"The link [play] between Luis and Daniel is only getting better," Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva said. "Last year they didn't have a chance to play many games so this season we can see they are scoring goals."
Suarez comes into the game on the back of a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over West Bromwich last weekend, while Sturridge has only failed to score in one of Liverpool's nine league games.
Weekend's fixtures:
TOMORROW
Newcastle United vs Chelsea (2.45pm), Fulham vs Manchester United (5pm), Hull City vs Sunderland (5pm), Manchester City vs Norwich City (5pm), Stoke City vs Southampton (5pm), West Bromwich Albion vs Crystal Palace (5pm), West Ham vs Aston Villa 5pm), Arsenal vs Liverpool 7.30pm)
SUNDAY
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm) and Cardiff vs Swansea (6pm).
Can the gunners silence critics?
EVEN though Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League, questions are being asked of the team's title credentials ahead of tomorrow's standout match against Liverpool.
Home losses to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and Chelsea in the last 16 of the League Cup have been seized upon by critics who believe Arsenal still lack the class and squad depth to last the course in the title race.
Liverpool, who are third in the standings and level on points with second-placed Chelsea, are only the second team Arsenal have played with a genuine chance of finishing in the Champions League positions this season.
Chelsea and Manchester United are starting to run into some form ahead of matches at Newcastle and Fulham, while Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has a goalkeeping dilemma for the home game against Norwich.
It was not the results against Dortmund and Chelsea but the manner of the performances that got many Arsenal fans worried.
Largely outplayed by both visiting teams, the Gunners managed only three shots on target in those games and the dependence on striker Olivier Giroud will be of concern to manager Arsene Wenger.
Wenger, though, has seen his side win seven of their last eight matches in the league and is not panicking.
"Let's not reach a conclusion too quickly," Wenger said. "I think if you take the points we have made since January 1, it's more than everybody else.
"I believe that, over a longer distance, you'll see more of the quality of the team than in the last two games."
Liverpool will bank of their deadly forwards Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
The duo's pace, movement and finishing prowess is proving to be a nightmare for Premier League defences.
"The link [play] between Luis and Daniel is only getting better," Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva said. "Last year they didn't have a chance to play many games so this season we can see they are scoring goals."
Suarez comes into the game on the back of a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over West Bromwich last weekend, while Sturridge has only failed to score in one of Liverpool's nine league games.
Weekend's fixtures:
TOMORROW
Newcastle United vs Chelsea (2.45pm), Fulham vs Manchester United (5pm), Hull City vs Sunderland (5pm), Manchester City vs Norwich City (5pm), Stoke City vs Southampton (5pm), West Bromwich Albion vs Crystal Palace (5pm), West Ham vs Aston Villa 5pm), Arsenal vs Liverpool 7.30pm)
SUNDAY
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm) and Cardiff vs Swansea (6pm).
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