Notes From Europe

Liverpool put up a miserable performance in Liege, while the Gunners smuggle a 2-0 lead back to the Emirates after a stern test from McClaren’s FC Twente.

Here’s the notes and teams…

FC Twente 0 Arsenal 2

Wenger’s side prevailed in Holland but we’re given the run-around by McClaren’s FC Twente. The Gunners were of course lacking the calming influence of Fabregas in the centre of midfield and relied instead on the inexperienced duo of Ramsey and Denilson in the engine room. At times they struggled to wrestle any kind of control from the Dutch midfield, particularly in a first half where the home side missed chances.

Up until Arsenal’s first goal, the game looked well and truly in the balance but Arsenal had clearly been rallied by Wenger at half-time and stepped up a gear in the second-half. They went ahead through Gallas, who scrambled the ball home with his knees from a Van Persie free-kick after Eboue had been fouled.

While FC Twente continued to press but had the wind well and truly knocked out of them with a second goal, crafted by Walcott’s run which ended in Adebayor rolling the ball home.

Arsenal now take the tie back to the Emirates in a fortnight’s time. That game follows the trip to Fulham. With a 2-0 lead Wenger could rest players but he saw enough tonight from his opponents which is likely to mean that he won’t underestimate them in the home leg, despite having the lead. We should be safe from rotation at Fulham on August 23 though.

As a footnote, Wenger is expecting to have both Toure and Nasri available to him for the West Brom game at the weekend. Toure would be a certain starter alongside Gallas, while Nasri would seem likely to come in for Ramsey in midfield.

Arsenal vs FC Twente:
Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Djourou, Gallas, Eboue, Denilson, Ramsey, Walcott (Randall 84), Adeabayor, Van Persie (88).

Standard Liege 0 Liverpool 0

Liverpool struggled badly in Belgium and were fortunate to return to Anfield with a draw.

They called on Pepe Reina to keep the game scoreless on several occasions, including a penalty save following a handball by Dossena. The Liverpool defence looked far from secure, particularly from set plays but somehow hung on to their clean sheet.

Keane and Torres were starved of service and Keane was eventually replaced as Rafa was forced to call upon Gerrard in the second half to help lift the Liverpool performance.

Rafa’s lineup was as expected – it was the same side that started against Lazio last week, with Gerrard benched as a precaution after a recent thigh strain. Plessis took his place in midfield. Gerrard will surely return for the opening game at Sunderland at the weekend and Rafa will need to get more from his team for that one. Sunderland may be lacking Jones up front but they will fancy their chances of nicking at least a point on this showing from Liverpool.

In the longer term, this result is bad news for fantasy managers. Liverpool will play the second leg two weeks from today and with the tie in the balance, Rafa could be tempted to rest players for the home game with Middlesbrough on August 23. Certainly that’s something to be wary of.

Elimination from the Champions League would be unthinkable, Rafa could even consider resting the likes of Torres and Carragher for the Boro game to secure the tie.

On the injury front, Rafa confirmed that Skrtel and Aurellio were now back in training so both could be considered for the second leg.

Liverpool vs Standard Liege:
Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Alonso, Plessis, Kuyt (El Zhar 82), Torres, Keane (Gerrard 67)