Are Arsenal favourites against Liverpool in the EFL Cup?
By Paul Martin
Last week’s goalless draw in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield showed battling qualities which have been sorely lacking at Arsenal for the best part of the last two decades.
It was as welcome as it was surprising – though Granit Xhaka’s sending off ensured there was some semblance of normality – and gives Mikel Arteta’s side a fine chance of reaching their first Carabao Cup final since 2018.
With home advantage, are the Gunners favourites ahead of Thursday’s second leg?
Yes
With two of Liverpool’s superb usual front three at the Africa Cup of Nations, Arsenal could not ask for a better time to take on Jurgen Klopp’s men in a knockout tie.
The Reds dearly missed Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in last week’s first leg – it’s hard to imagine the Gunners holding out for a goalless draw had both been on the field.
Klopp’s side got their mojo back in front of goal during Sunday’s 3-0 win over Brentford but that was a totally different scenario from the one they will face this week.
Arsenal have lost just twice at home all season in the Premier League and the fans will be able to play their part under the lights at the Emirates – just as they did at this stage four years ago when Chelsea were memorably beaten 2-1 after a goalless first leg.
The hosts should also be fresher than their visitors, having not played at the weekend following the much-discussed postponement of the North London derby, and have the ability to hurt Liverpool going forward.
No
The literal answer to this question, according to bookmakers at least, is no, with Liverpool installed as favourites to advance to the final.
Ultimately, that seems a fair judgement. The momentum and feelgood factor built up towards the end of 2021 has dissipated somewhat in the New Year, with Arsenal still yet to earn a victory since the calendars flipped into 2022.
Two of those three matches have brought positive performances but it’s the one in the middle, the disgraceful FA Cup exit at Nottingham Forest, which more than justifies Liverpool still going in as favourites.
Klopp’s men know what it takes to win knockout games and lift trophies while Arsenal still have a maddening tendency to put in limp performances, such as that at the City Ground, when the pressure is on.
There is also Arsenal’s recent history in this fixture to consider. The Gunners have won just one of the last 17 matches between these two sides and that came behind closed doors in July 2020, a time when all games deserved to come with an asterisk.
Liverpool have had plenty of successful trips to the Emirates in recent times and they will be confident of adding another to the list on Thursday night – if the game even goes ahead.
