Arsenal looks to capitalize on M. United break
Julian Guyer, Agence France-Presse, London
Arsene Wenger is urging his Arsenal team to make the most of Manchester United's midweek 'rest' and extend its lead at the top of the table when it travels to Liverpool on Wednesday.
Reigning champion Arsenal is five points clear of second- placed United.
But Alex Ferguson's men, who were drawn at home to Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday, could fall further behind after they managed to get their match scheduled for Tuesday away to Birmingham City postponed until Feb. 4.
Ferguson, who saw his team thrash Premiership basement boys West Ham 6-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, was worried about his players facing two games in 48 hours.
Moving the match to this Wednesday was not an option as City's local rival West Brom was already at home to Charlton and police were concerned about the prospect of two major matches taking place in the Birmingham area on the same night.
Wenger, whose team will go eight points clear if they beat Liverpool, said of United's move: "It gives us an opportunity to extend our lead and we will go there to do that.
"We are in great condition," the Frenchman added, following the FA Cup-holder Arsenal's 5-1 win over non-league Farnborough at Highbury on Saturday.
Traditionally, all FA Cup ties were played on Saturday.
But the desire of broadcasters to space matches out over the weekend has angered Wenger.
"The games should all be played at the same moment if you want a regular competition," he explained.
"When TV rules interfere, that means The FA Cup interferes with the Premier League.
"I can see that United have the right to say they don't want to play two big games in 48 hours," Wenger added.
He is set to recall Thierry Henry, David Seaman and Gilberto Silva, all of whom were rested against Farnborough and the Gunners also welcome back England full-back Ashley Cole after a two-game suspension.
But Cole's fellow England defender Martin Keown is banned and Sweden midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg is out with an Achilles injury.
Arsenal has had 24 hours more rest than Liverpool, which could only manage a goalless draw against First Division Crystal Palace in FA Cup tie on Sunday.
That match also saw Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland sustain a season-ending knee injury after a collision with Palace striker Dele Adebola.
Despite its slide down the league - Liverpool is 14 points behind Arsenal in sixth place - it is in the final of the English League Cup and still involved in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup.
But its French manager, Gerard Houllier, remains worried by his side's attacking play. Liverpool has only scored eight goals in its last ten matches, and two were from penalties.
"I would like more composure in front of the box," said Houllier.
"We hurry it too often. But they are young. Apart from Sami Hyypia everybody who played against Palace was under the age of 25."
Under-pressure West Ham manager Glenn Roeder must somehow try to lift his side for the visit of Blackburn on Wednesday after its United hammering.
"This is the first time this season I could accuse some of my players of not fighting all the way through to the end," said Roeder after the United debacle.
But at least he will have Paolo di Canio, as well as the Italian ace's fellow strikers Frederic Kanoute and the recently signed Les Ferdinand available.
Czech defender Tomas Repka has completed a four-game ban and is expected to partner Ian Pearce in a Hammers' rearguard that has leaked 13 goals in their last three matches, with the veteran Nigel Winterburn replacing Scott Minto.