Rafa's Arsenal chat

Rafa Benitez took 10 minutes for a relaxed chat with radio journalists ahead of tonight's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates. Here's what the gaffer had to say.

On confidence ahead of Arsenal...

It was a massive result against Everton, so everybody is really happy and pleased. Now we have more confidence and hopefully we can display this on the pitch.

On the physical demands of facing Arsenal...

It is a different type of approach in terms of the physical demands of the game, and clearly you have to run and work very hard in defence if you want to reduce the spaces and control the game. It has to be like this against them because they play very offensively. Sometimes it is good because you can score goals and play attractive football, but sometimes you are exposed in defence and can have some problems.

On claims Liverpool are facing Arsenal at the right time...

I will answer that after the game. We are in a good moment, so we will see, but maybe because they have lost their last two games they will want to prove something. It will be tough and difficult, but at least we are in a better position and have more confidence. They will want to prove something against a top side, but we have to do the same. We have to go there with confidence because we are doing well and not conceding goals. Maybe we can manage in a different way because of this.

On Arsenal being 'predictable'...

They are a very good team with a lot of different options. They have quality and a very good manager, who has experience and has done a great job over the last 15 years. You can see Arsenal are a nice team to watch play.

On Arsenal's form...

If you look at Arsenal's last game against Chelsea, people are talking about the result and saying they were predictable, but I don't agree with this. They had some chances and 70 per cent of the possession, so that means something. When they play at the Emirates, they have more confidence and the fans behind them, and they try to go forward all the time - that is the way they play. You cannot control the game (at the Emirates) if you are not really strong in defence. You can score if you play good counter-attack, like Manchester United did there recently with Wayne Rooney. You have to try to do this, but it depends on the players you have. You don't always have too many Drogbas and Rooneys in your team, so you have to adapt and that is why it is difficult for some teams.

On 'winning ugly'...

When you are playing well and winning, everything is fine. If you don't win, you have to change things and play in the best way you can - sometimes ugly, sometimes nice. It depends on the games, but we like to play really well and win.

On the recent clean sheets...

When we had a bad run of results, we wanted to know what we could change and one of the main things was to try to improve, be more aggressive in defence and play with more intensity. Then we kept some clean sheets and we were able to build from there.

On the league table...

We are in a much better position now than a month ago, which is really good and hopefully this game can be another one when afterwards we are talking about getting three points. We know Arsenal will be difficult because they are a good team and have plenty of possession in every game. At the Emirates they are a threat, but we will try to do our job, play good football and try to win.

On Kyrgiakos's suspension...

Kyrgiakos has been a key player for us in the last month. He gave us different things in defence because he is really good in the air and he also has character and commitment. We cannot use him (against Arsenal), so we have to manage with Agger, Skrtel and Carra.

On how Maxi is settling in...

We knew he was a good player with experience and someone who has played in La Liga and also over 30 games for Argentina. You can see his ability during games - he is comfortable in possession, can pass the ball and is quite quick. He still has to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, but he knows what to do. For us, he is competition for the right and left sides, so that is good.

On Dirk Kuyt's form...

The main thing for a team is to have players ready on the pitch. Kuyt has fantastic commitment and can also score goals. All managers would like to have a player like him. I am really pleased for him, and so are all his teammates. Now the fans realise that 50 goals, playing in different positions and always being ready for the team is something to be really happy about and proud of.

On David Ngog's development...

We have had a similar problem this season with having to play Insua too early because Aurelio was injured. Young players need time, but they (Insua and Ngog) are doing really well. David is giving us something different. I am really pleased with his movement and his qualities. Sometimes he could score more goals or be stronger, but it is a question of time and he will improve his physical approach to the game.

On bringing back injured players at the right time...

It's important to have players available, but there is a difference in being available and being ready. If they return early and are available that will be good, but we have to be sure they are ready and don't have any more problems in the last two or three months of the season. If we can keep winning games and stay in a good position, then the addition of Torres, Yossi and Johnson will be good. Not just because they are good players, but also for competition in each position.