Forward march

Giroud has since gone on to net five goals and set up a further four in nine league matches,to prove his critics wrong and help Arsenal to the top of the table.

While there were no doubts over the ability of Liverpool’s Luis Suarez,there was plenty of speculation he was set to leave the club,possibly for Arsenal,after the Anfield side failed to qualify for this season’s Champions League.

Since his return from a 10-match suspension for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic,the Uruguayan has scored six goals in four league appearances,including a hat-trick in last week’s 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion,and has struck up a devastating partnership with Daniel Sturridge to put the doubts over his commitment to rest.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger acknowledged the impact the pair were having on their respective clubs. “They are different styles of players,” he told reporters on Friday. “Giroud is a real centre forward who uses space and uses his power and he’s really central. Suarez is more a player who goes on the flanks,comes deep into midfield and is more a dribbler.”

Wenger backed Giroud,who came on as a substitute for Arsenal during their League Cup defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday,to maintain his form,and gave little thought to the fact Suarez could have been lining up alongside him had Liverpool decided to sell the Uruguayan after the Gunners made a bid of just over $64.26 million.

“I’m not focussed on that now,what is important for me,24 hours before the game,is that I believe Giroud has proven since the start of the season that he is an exceptional striker and I am convinced that he will be up to show that tomorrow again,” said Wenger.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta will return for Arsenal after suspension but Serge Gnabry and Mathieu Flamini are out. Philippe Coutinho could be back for Liverpool after the midfielder missed six weeks following shoulder surgery.

Blues starting XI problems

After a sticky start following his return to Chelsea,life suddenly looks pretty good for Jose Mourinho with his side breathing down the necks ofleaders Arsenal. Chelsea can go top for a few hours at least with victory at Newcastle United on Saturday. With 13 points from the last 15 available,striker Fernando Torres looking rejuvenated,options all across the pitch and an empty treatment room,Chelsea are clearly hitting their stride.

Yet,the form of his squad is causing Mourinho a few headaches,especially when it comes to deciding which players must be consigned to the substitutes’ bench or the stands.

“It’s not easy for me to leave players at home and on the bench because everybody deserves to play,” said Mourinho,who was given a reminder of Juan Mata’s quality in midweek when the Spaniard,who has not always started this season,dazzled at Arsenal. “I’m unfair with the players I am not selecting because they are doing everything to play,” Mourinho told a news conference.

Torres embodies the improvement in Chelsea and his performance against Manchester City last weekend,when he scored a late winner having set up the first goal,was arguably his best since joining in a $80.3 million deal from Liverpool. “I feel he’s just giving his best every game,” Mourinho said. “When he’s the man of the match against Manchester City or when he’s not the man of the match,or when he’s on the bench and he comes on,I just feel he gives his best,always,and that’s the most important thing.

“I don’t like this history of one day the player is a disaster,the next day the player is phenomenal. I don’t think Fernando is a kid to be influenced by these wins,so I want him to be stable,I want him not to be too much worried about proving himself,or not to prove,or scoring or not scoring.”

Weekend fixtures:

On Saturday: Newcastle United v Chelsea; Fulham v Manchester United; Hull v Sunderland; Manchester City v Norwich; Stoke v Southampton; West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace; West Ham v Aston Villa; Arsenal v Liverpool.

Sunday: Everton v Tottenham;

Cardiff v Swansea