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| Friday, September 27, 2002 19:26 EST |
Arsenal hopes to set new scoring record at Elland Road
[Reuters]
LONDON -- Leeds United faces the Arsenal
juggernaut on Saturday needing to rediscover the form which has
already dented the English premier league title challenges of
Manchester United and Newcastle United.
New Leeds manager Terry Venables has presided over an
inconsistent start to the Elland Road club's season. However,
Leeds has raised its game for the big occasion so far and
victory over Arsenal would represent the club's most notable scalp.
Arsene Wenger's double winners have gone 28 league games
unbeaten, scored in 46 consecutive league outings, and not lost
in domestic competition since December last year.
On Saturday, Arsenal will be bidding to break Chesterfield's league record of scoring in 46 consecutive matches.
But it is the club's performance in the Champions League in
midweek that has really set pulses racing at Highbury, with more
converts to Wenger's belief that the team can win the treble this
term.
Thierry Henry scored twice as Arsenal crushed PSV Eindhoven
4-0 -- its first away win in Europe in nine attempts.
The manner of the victory made for chilling viewing for
its rivals as Arsenal was imperious from back to front
against a respected European force.
Wenger said his team had ended its European away-day jinx
simply because the players had decided it was time.
Such self-belief is underpinning Arsenal's run. "The
important thing is that my team has class, spirit and soul,"
said Wenger after the demolition of PSV."
Venables is in the early stages of his rebuilding job at
Leeds, although the club is satisfactorily-placed at fifth in the
table, five points behind Arsenal.
The former England coach, is attempting to introduce greater
subtlety to a side still used to predecessor David O'Leary's
penchant for high-tempo football.
The contrast could go some way to explaining Leeds' baffling
results -- wins over Alex Ferguson's side and at St James' Park,
but defeats at home to Sunderland and, last week, at Blackburn
Rovers.
England striker Alan Smith, who missed a penalty at Ewood
Park, is confident of shrugging off an ankle problem before the
visit of Arsenal.
Defender Dominic Matteo could return after knee and
hamstring injuries, but Michael Bridges -- who has only just
made his comeback from a career-threaenting knee injury -- is
doubtful again with another knee problem.
Arsenal will be without defender Martin Keown, who strained
a hamstring muscle against PSV. His replacement during that
match, Frenchman Pascal Cygan was impressive and is set to keep
his place alongside Sol Campbell in central defense.
Other weekend Premiership matches:
Saturday
BIRMINGHAM CITY (12) v NEWCASTLE UNITED (15)
City, beaten 1-0 at Middlesbrough last week, will be without
central defender Michael Johnson who needs a groin operation and
will be sidelined for up to two months. Steve Vickers could
replace him after returning to training this week.
Newcastle was buoyed by last week's 2-0 win over local
rivals Sunderland which ended a run of three defeats. But the
1-0 home loss to Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday
again exposed the club's defensive frailties.
BOLTON WANDERERS (17) v SOUTHAMPTON (18)
Bolton will welcome the visit of fellow strugglers
Southampton after facing Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester
United in recent weeks. The club will be without the injured quartet
of Ricardo Gardner, Paul Warhurst, Bruno Ngotty and Bernard
Mendy.
A lack of goals is Southampton's main worry. The team has
scored just three in seven games and was booed off the pitch
after last week's stalemate at home to Charlton.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC (16) v MANCHESTER UNITED (8)
Goalkeeper Dean Kiely was in good form against Southampton
and he will need to be at his sharpest again for the visit of a
United side desperate to put a poor start to the league season
behind the club.
But United is likely to be without its key striker Ruud
van Nistelrooy who strained a hamstring in Tuesday's 2-1
Champions League win at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alex Ferguson's side will also be without long-term
casualties Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Wes Brown but could give
a start to Gary Neville who has come on as a substitute in the club's
last two outings.
CHELSEA (3) v WEST HAM UNITED (20)
These are troubled times for West Ham, win-less and bottom
of the standings. Chairman Terence Brown has blasted the team's
fans, claiming that continued jeering could drive its best
players out of Upton Park.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is sure of a hot reception
from his old fans after saying in midweek he is far happier
after leaving the Hammers.
Chelsea is unbeaten heading into this London derby but will
want to improve on Monday's dour 0-0 draw with Fulham.
EVERTON (13) v FULHAM (6)
Everton will have its work cut out to break down a Fulham
side who has started the season impressively, losing just one
game and conceding only six goals.
The Merseysiders are likely to be without defender Steve
Watson (groin) while striker Duncan Ferguson and defender
Alessandro Pistone will resume training in the coming week. U.S.
striker Joe-Max Moore could feature after shaking off a knee
injury.
MANCHESTER CITY (14) v LIVERPOOL (2)
City striker Shaun Goater is struggling to shake off a groin
injury while captain and playmaker Ali Bernarbia is serving a
one-match ban. Strikers Paulo Wanchope and Jon Macken are also
ruled out but manager Kevin Keegan could give a debut to
Algerian playmaker Karim Kerkar.
Liverpool's biggest worry continues to be the poor form of
key striker Michael Owen, whose place is under threat from
in-form Czech striker Milan Baros.
SUNDERLAND (19) v ASTON VILLA (10)
Sunderland boss Peter Reid was ordered to take a short break
after his side's limp display in last week's derby defeat by
Newcastle. Sunderland has scored just two goals in seven
outings and another defeat will heap more pressure on Reid.
Villa is finding its feet after a poor start to the
campaign and recovered from blowing a two-goal lead to pip
Everton 3-2 last Sunday.
TOTTENHAM (4) v MIDDLESBROUGH (7)
Tottenham's vibrant start has faltered in recent weeks with
defeats at Fulham and Manchester United. The club remains plagued by
a string of injuries, although Uruguayan midfielder Gus Poyet
could return.
Middlesbrough skipper Gareth Southgate is set to return to
the side after recovering from a back injury.
Monday
WEST BROMWICH ALBION (11) v BLACKBURN ROVERS (9)
Blackburn's injury problems are easing with forwards Andy
Cole and Damien Duff both expected to feature against the
premier league newcomers, but Dwight Yorke remains doubtful.
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