Arsenal’s five match winning run came to a grinding halt on Wednesday evening as they lost 2-0 to title chasing Liverpool despite another excellent display. After going toe-to-toe with the Reds for the opening 55 minutes, crucial lapses in concentration cost Arsenal as Liverpool found not one but two quickfire second half goals from Jota and Firmino to put the game out of Arsenal’s reach.
At kick-off the atmosphere inside the ground sounded raucous and the fans were brimming with optimism following our excellent recent form. The level of decibels only increased following a very good first half display. Despite this, the visitors started brightly, and Van Dijk tested Ramsdale with his header from Robertson’s corner well saved. But Arsenal quickly grew into the game, constantly narrowing the gaps for their opposition who struggled to find any rhythm. While we didn’t create much ourselves, we were more than matching a side that many believe to be the best in the world. Right on half time we had a scare when a sublime ball over the top from Alexander Arnold nearly put Mane, who should’ve been booked earlier in the half for a disgraceful dive, through on goal but a combination of Gabriel and Ramsdale was enough to put the Senegal international off as he spooned his effort well over the bar. We also saw a couple of superb driving runs from the exceptional Martinelli, who was causing Alexander-Arnold all kinds of problems. The youngster received his first call up to the Brazil squad this week and it’s not hard to see why.
The second half began and Liverpool upped the tempo. Less than a minute into the half Mane was sent through on goal and tucked the ball beyond Ramsdale but the flag went up for offside and the goal did not stand. Replays showed this was the correct decision. And then came the turning point of the game. Following some Arsenal pressure, Thiago played an awful backpass to Allison which Lacazette intercepted. The Frenchman tried to round the Brazilian but, to Allison’s credit, he did well to stay on his feet forcing Lacazette to feed Ødegaard instead, who took a touch to steady himself but again Allison stood tall to make a huge save. It really should’ve been 1-0 and every Arsenal fan in the ground knew it. Against this level of opposition, you don’t get those chances often and when you do you need to convert them.
Inevitably, two minutes later we were punished. Thiago, making up for his error played in Diogo Jota who fired it in at the near post for his customary goal against Arsenal. Replays showed that Ramsdale ought to have saved it but given his excellent form this season, I think we can cut him some slack. What made it even more sickening was the fact that Jota was about to be substituted anyway! It’s the hope that kills you. 1-0 down and Klopp brought on Salah and Firmino. What a lovely man. We tried to get ourselves back into it but we struggled to get a hold of the game and before we knew it, it was two. Saka failed to clear on the right-hand side and Robertson came storming down the touchline, sending in a sumptuous ball for Firmino to flick home. Game over. Off came Ødegaard for Smith-Rowe. Not his night. But still Arsenal didn’t give up. Martinelli continued to terrorise Alexander-Arnold and co but we just lacked the end product in the final third and that was the key difference Arsenal and Liverpool. Martinelli curled an excellent effort just wide, and the game came to its conclusion.
Another Liverpool win against Arsenal but it felt different this time. We were competitive throughout and we matched them for large portions of the game. The signs of progress are blatantly obvious now even to the most toxic and negative of Arsenal fans. Apart from Piers Morgan obviously! But the level of performance was excellent as it was against Citeh. Give it another 18 months or so and we will be challenging fully. And with United and Spurs being as average as they are, and with Chelsea hopefully being liquidated and forced to relocate to Chernobyl (we can only hope) we may be able to force our way back among the elite. The first step of course is returning to the Champions League which we remain likely to achieve this season and then following another dip into Stan’s trust fund, another big money splash in the transfer market and we may be able to fulfil the Holy Willian Prophecy of winning the champions league by 2023. There is no escaping the prophecy.
So up next, we have a quick turnaround to face Stevie G’s Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime. More Scousers. Much like rats, they say that you’re never more than six feet from a Scouser. Not that I’m otherwise comparing Scousers with rats! Although it is a local delicacy up there. But all Scouser jokes aside, another game in quick succession is exactly what you want after a defeat. It promises to be another tough game but one you’d expect us to win. Onwards and Upwards.
COYG!!
Nice report, 21CG. Certainly captures what I saw in the ground. The general feel-good factor is back. Roll on Saturday at 12.30.
That sounds like the match I watched, decided by the narrow margin of two half changes taken v two half chances not converted. Great physical and football contest in midfield though. I was proud of the lads.
That’s an excellent summary of the match 21CG.
Like others, I felt this match would be a good measure of how far this team has come and so it proved. Once again, we went toe-to-toe with one of the best two teams in the country and we had them worried. Klopp was having a nuclear melt down on the touch line as the first half drew to a close. Two second-half double errors gifted them the two goals. On another day, Ødegaard would have scored that chance and a more fleet-footed striker than Lacazette might have connected with Martinelli’s first-half ball across the goalmouth. That would then have been a different game and possibly produced a different outcome.
A game lost but a clear measure of progress.
An excellent summary 21CG and thank you for doing both the preview and the match report for the same game. I stand to be corrected but I don’t think anyone has done that since the days of Dave Faber himself.
I was at Anfield for the 4-0 league paddling and also at the Ems for the Carabao semi second leg. Our improvement is clear to see. The fan base are on board and our players are being rewarded with international recognition. Now let’s stick several past Emi Martinez on Saturday.
Well done 21CG, a brace of excellent reports.
An inch was missing from our performance last night (that’s what she said as well).
On to Villa, a win and an upgrade to our GD.
UTA
Good going with the second leg of an excellent double-header, 21CG. A rich match report and one much appreciated as I was again the victim of a stuttering stream that meant I saw neither Ødegaard’s chance nor Jota’s goal until the replays.
As Lennon and McCartney wrote, as Scousers seem to be the theme of the day, I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, A little better all the time … it’s getting so much better all the time.
An email exchange this morning with one of my clients:
Him: I just checked out your website and learned that you are an Arsenal fan. Which means that you are dead to me. Come On You Spurs!!!
Me: A Spud loving attorney? Doesn’t get much worse than that. How’s the trophy cabinet downsizing going?
Him: Cabinet? You don’t need a cabinet to hold nothing. Supporting Tottenham has made it easier to be an attorney, in that I am accustomed to pain and disappointment.
At least they know their status in life!
21 CG
That is both a very sensible and fair report of the match and an amusing one as well. It complements your very good preview perfectly . There was an abundance of realism on here before the game and most of us secretly felt this was likely to be a bridge too far at this stage of our development . So it proved to be .
Most of our team were excellent , with Martinelli and Partey excellent . I felt Cedric was exposed defensively in the second half and we could really have done with a Vlahovic upfront . The lack of a reliable striker is the most likely reason we won’t qualify for the League if we fail to make it but I think it’s very much on with the progression we are making.
I’ve flagged up a slight concern about Ramsdale here before . That was a poor mistake yesterday and in the first half he made a real hash of coming for a cross . I believe in the lad because he’s an inspirational shot-stopper but he mustn’t forget the basics . Let’s win on Saturday and push on again
Excellently done, 21CG and many thanks for your learned observations. Must say you reached your apex with “Chelsea hopefully being liquidated and forced to relocate to Chernobyl…” 😂😂😂
Cheers 21CG. Great report. I think Martinelli’s piece of magic cum nutmeg that was before our great second half chance merits a mention too. That was just dazzling.
Bath@3 also sums it up well, I made myself the same remark on that first-half chance.
Novosibirsk might still be in the running if Chelsea’s sale doesn’t go through. I’ve heard there are a lot of gulags nearby where Roman could recruit his players.
21cg, you nailed it. and we are on the up, believe in ma8 and his process!
TTG@8: Where do you think Ramsdale went awry for their first goal? Too far from his near post? Too slow to go react to the shot? Too weak a hand on the ball? (Spoiler alert: it was probably all three.) It was noticeable that when Firminio broke through on the right, Ramsdale was hugging his near post so closely his left foot was on the goal line.
Thanks 21CG. An excellent report and reflects a good
performance but frustrating result.
Need to keep our heads up now though as four of the next
five are away – it will be a testing run and to be honest
I could do without Ben, ESR and Bukayo being in the
England squad for a meaningless game. Anyway, come
through that run with 10 points from 15 and we will be
in a great position I think.
‘Pool gets about the softest CL draw they could: Benfica in the quarters, then Villareal or Bayern in the semis, avoiding Man City, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid in the other half of the draw.
Matt
I can’t agree about our England call ups. Young players dream of becoming internationals. Achieving that confirms both their own progress and the fact that they are at the right club. I think it becomes a different call for players in their late 20s or 30s for friendlies. If I were. Spurs fan (heaven forfend) I wouldn’t want Kane to get too many, if any minutes.
Arteta will get this. Not being capped by Spain (due to the huge competition of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas etc) was one of the regrets of his playing career.
Cheers 21CG!
And I have just snagged tickets for Brighton at home. First game post start of pandemic. Yabadabadoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Yay Esso!
Congratulations Esso. I hope you cheer our boys to victory!
Top stuff Esso. Enjoy !
Ned,
Apologies for my late reply re Ramsdale . I think as you say he did all three things you describe but a firmer hand would have allowed him to tip it around the post .It must be a Liverpool thing. Bob Wilson still relives the Heighway error every day but that didn’t end in tears . I hope Ramsdale learns from his mistakes . It’s an unforgiving position especially at that level.
I’m with C100 on international call-ups . Getting into the England team has come quickly for White and Ramsdale amd it’s one of the reasons players come to us .We have a higher profile than Brighton and Sheffield United . I think Southgate will rotate significantly so no one will get too much football.
>>>>>>>