Tuesday, April 1, 2008

RAFA: WE CAN STOP FREE-FLOWING ARSENAL



Rafa Benitez admits it could require another defensive masterclass from his side to progress past free-flowing Arsenal in the Champions League.


While Liverpool became the first team in the country to break the 100 goals barrier on Sunday, the Gunners are right behind with 98.


With Emmanuel Adebayor, Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb and Robin van Persie all posing a threat, Benitez believes it could take a defensive display likes those witnessed against Chelsea in 2005 and 2007 for his side to progress.


He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "One hundred goals in one season is not bad! When people sometimes say we are defensive, what they really mean is that we are good in defence and also good in attack.


"The key to progressing past Arsenal will be to work really hard as a team in defence, because we will be playing against a team that is very offensive. After that it is about determination and going forward to try to win.


"We have experience but if you analyse their team they have Almunia, Hleb, Toure and Adebayor. These are players with experience. Yes, they have young players in the squad, but the team that will be on the pitch has experience. I think the teams are in more or less the same situation."


While wary of Arsenal's attacking potential, Benitez is confident of finding weaknesses in their 'beautiful' football.


He said: "They play very offensively and it's very attractive for the supporters. These are the positive things, but when they attack and attack, they have problems in defence, but that is normal.


"Our idea is to win and score. It's always important to get an away goal in this type of competition."


Benitez has yet to taste victory at the Emirates, but while some would say that doesn't necessarily have to change over the next week, it's a fact the Spaniard is keen to change. Asked what would be a good result on Wednesday night, he responded: "To win, nothing else."


The game will be the first of three meetings between the sides over the next six days, with the two Champions League ties sandwiching a Premier League clash on Saturday. The last league encounter between the red of north London and the red of Merseyside ended 1-1 at Anfield, a game which Benitez hopes can inspire confidence in his squad. He said: "We have some experience because we played Arsenal in the cups close together last year, and also with all the games we have played against Chelsea in the last few years – though not in the space of a week.


"I think we will see three very different football matches. The two Champions League games will be different with it being home and away, and the Premier League is a very different competition.


"Last time we played they were in form yet we could have won. This is really important for me because they were playing really well, yet we could have won without being at that level.


"We had some problems because Fernando Torres wasn't fit and Xabi Alonso had to go off with his metatarsal."


Arsenal's scorer back in October was Cesc Fabregas, a player who Benitez knows is central to Wenger's brand of football.


"Everyone knows he's a key player for them," said the Anfield manager. "Arsenal signed him really young so it was difficult to look at him. If there was ever an opportunity in the market I think all the managers would look to sign a player of his quality."




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