Arsenal out to atone in league clash with Liverpool

London and its surroundings appear to be a vulnerable place for managers to misbehave, a sight that is not really pleasant to watch.

On Sunday, it was the turn of Arsene Wenger and Alan Pardew to shove each other on the touchline at the end of the West Ham-Arsenal derby at Upton Park.

Erratic decisions by English referees seem to burden coaches with extra pressure these days as witnessed yet again last weekend.

Arsenal have been going through a negative phase lately after failing to win in their last two league matches, vs Everton (home) and West Ham (away), not to mention the home draw against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

In the race for the championship crown, the Gunners have dropped precious points, leaving them ten adrift of leaders Manchester United, who played a game more.

Yet, Arsenal came good in the League Cup on Wednesday, winning away at Everton 1-0.

Liverpool, the other team in tomorrow's all-Red clash at the Emirates Stadium, have garnered four straight wins in front of their own fans but it is on the away front that they have found the going tough.

In the Premier League this season, they still have to chalk up a win on their travels and have only a mere point to show from a maximum of 15.

In past league encounters at Highbury it is a balanced affair between Arsenal and Liverpool since both won five matches and the remaining four were draws.

Dynamic decades

Blackburn-Man. United. Last Monday, Alex Ferguson celebrated his 20th year at Old Trafford. He sported a wide smile for most of the weekend since Chelsea forfeited three points and the Red Devils are now the sole leaders.

Among the many regards and well wishes there was those of Arsene Wenger. He hailed Ferguson's two decades as 'unique'.

Yet, the holders of the League Cup were dumped out by Second Division side Southend in midweek to somewhat dampen Ferguson's celebrations.

In the league, United have won five straight matches, scoring a total of 14 goals.

The Rovers, who gave United some torrid times lately, lost their last three league games. Today, Mark Hughes again makes acquaintance with his former boss.

Chelsea-Watford. Jose Mourinho was an angry man after the 1-2 defeat at Tottenham. The Spurs deserved the three points at the finish to break a long-time jinx.

Although there were instances in the match when the referee ruled against Chelsea, Mourinho was graceful in defeat when he went on the pitch to shake hands with his opponents, players and all.

There's still a long way ahead and Mourinho knows that a blip cannot hurt his team that much.

Watford are out of the relegation zone but only just. Perhaps, their manager, Adrian Boothroyd, was right when saying that managers should first learn their way in the lower leagues.

Everton-Aston Villa. Everton have been in a hiccup lately, winning only one league match from seven.

David Moyes's side have dropped 14 points from 21 and in their last upset at Fulham they failed to score for first time this season.

Another sort of shock is that regular scorer Andy Johnson failed to find the net in the last four league matches.

The Villans registered their first three-pointer at home to Blackburn since they beat Charlton on September 23 at home.

In past Premiership clashes the home side won six to the visitors' three with the remaining five ending as draws.

Portsmouth-Fulham. Pompey, so unlucky to lose central defender Sol Campbell just before kick-off against Manchester United, have gone down in three of their last four league and cup outings.

Harry Redknapp can swoop into the transfer market once more come January.

Since the return of Claus Jensen from injury, Fulham have found a new dimension in the middle of the park.

This is the fourth time the two sides will meet in the Premiership.

Last season, Portsmouth did the double on the Londoners with a 3-1 away win and a 1-0 home victory.

Reading-Tottenham. While the Spurs are still savouring their victory over champions Chelsea, the Royals continue to slip and slide down the classification - just adrift of the relegation zone.

Tottenham played their best match of the season against Chelsea and many believe that his Spurs are now turning the corner after a slow start to the campaign.

Steve Coppell told his out-of-form players that they must never fear defeat. Reading, in their first campaign in the top flight, last met Tottenham in the league in the 'old' Division II in 1930-31, losing 1-2 at Elm Park.

Sheffield Utd-Bolton. Sheffield United shocked Newcastle at their own den to claim their first away win and their second of the season last week.

The Blades leapfrogged Newcastle but are still in the bottom three.

On the other hand, the Wanderers lost three games in a row: Charlton 0-1 (away, League Cup), Man. United 0-4 (home) and Wigan 0-1 (home).

Manager Sam Allardyce is keen to keep Kevin Davies in his squad and offered him a new contract. The striker will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Man. City-Newcastle. Magpies chairman Freddie Shepherd, who could be ousted from his top job by a consortium that look ready to invest in the club, has backed his manager Glenn Roeder following the latest negative outcomes.

Roeder remarked that while goalkeeper Tim Krul played a blinder at Palermo in the UEFA Cup, the Dutchman still needs time to make his Premiership baptism.

In midweek, Newcastle moved into the last eight of the League Cup after a penalty shoot-out victory at Watford.

City boss Stuart Pearce stated that, following today's fixture, the next games at home are crucial to his side's season. City's upcoming matches are against Fulham and Watford.

Middlesbrough-West Ham. The Hammers claimed their first back-to-back victories in the league this season with home wins over Blackburn and Arsenal.

The two fine wins can indeed be the platform for West Ham to continue with their good work.

Boro, just two points above the relegation trapdoor, have suffered successive away defeats against Manchester City and Watford in which they failed to score.

The Londoners do not cherish trips to Middlesbrough, having failed to win in eight Premiership calls.

Wigan-Charlton. The Valiants, still at rock bottom (inferior goal difference to Newcastle), received a shot in the arm following their home win against Man. City that came after a bleak run of seven Premiership games without a win.

After beating Bolton away, Wigan boss Paul Jewell remarked that he wanted his side to follow the Wanderers' blueprint for success in the top flight.