[Skip to content](#main)
It seems like only yesterday that the dreaded Etihad Cartel were sitting there, poised and only two points behind the Gunners with all and sundry in the media suggesting that the Arsenal were about to ‘bottle’ it again as they stared nervously down the barrel and into their review mirror at the oil ogre chasing them. Some even suggested laughably that Unai Emery’s Aston Villa could finish above our ‘weak-minded’ favourites. How things change!
The Eastland Oiler’s had just come off of a three game run and haemorrhaged a massive six points in three successive draws where they could and probably should have actually lost a game or two. On top of that they’re in the midst of an Arsenal style injury crisis with no light at the end of the tunnel and the prospect of having to spend around £100m or more this month in order to stay in contention for a top four place. Then there is the small matter of a Manchester derby awaiting with a revitalised Benjamin Sesko leading the Salford line. Villa likewise have also crumbled.
Psychologically the prospect of delivering if not a knockout blow but a standing count presented itself to the Gunners yesterday and Arteta was keen to remind his players of how Liverpool had stolen all the points earlier in the season, just as Villa did a couple of months later. The stage was set but maybe not as we would have hoped.
No surprises with the starting XI or the finishers on the bench for Arsenal but for Liverpool there was no Eketike. The weather was atrocious so how would Liverpool approach the game, would they go for it or would they sit in?
The game kicked off under an absolutely dogs and cats North London deluge with Liverpool adding to the flooding by flooding the midfield. After the early exchanges Liverpool fell back into a deep low block looking to break quickly if Arsenal gave the ball away. Initially Arsenal ramped up the pressure and the Scousers looked a tad apprehensive, but as the game proceeded and Arsenal’s attempts on goal failed to match the approach play, the media favourites came into the game and looked more dangerous on the break. Arsenal needed to be careful as Liverpool were beginning to look a lot more confident.
Saka and Timber were the most positive outlets in the early exchanges and both put inviting crosses into the box, but to nobody in particular, because nobody anticipated them or made a run. Trossard was at his tricky best but an early yellow card seemed to knock him out of his stride, Saka was showing his full repertoire and it was he who had the first shot on target after bamboozling the Scouse defence but unfortunately his shot lack enough velocity to beat Alisson. By 21 minutes Liverpool were just a solid block of white shirts and the feeling was that patience would be needed.
On 27 a calamitous mix up between Saliba and Raya almost gifted Bradley a goal, luckily the Irish defender showed why he is a defender by missing the almost open net and hitting the bar. It was a bit of a shock and the Arsenal crowd gradually became more quiet and nervous meanwhile Liverpool stroked it around but without any cutting edge. This wasn’t going to be a walkover, not that any of us thought it would be.
As half time approached Gyokeres and Timber created a decent chance for Rice but his shot lacked conviction and Alisson easily saved. HalfTime 0-0
Half time talks by Arteta usually result in a far more energised Arsenal in the second half but not this time. 10 minutes passed without either side creating anything of consequence then on 57 minutes Hincapie went down with what looked like a hamstring which could mean 3/5 weeks out if it’s a bad one. Myles came on but had an uncomfortable few moments as a Frimpong gave him the runaround, eventually Myles found his form but for awhile it wasn’t great for him.
Liverpool seemed content to knock the ball around and to outnumber us in midfield as they enjoyed more possession, bursting quickly from midfield when the opportunity arose. Odegaard, Rice and Zubimendi worked hard but it was an uncomfortable experience for them. On 64 Arteta tried to freshen things up by replacing Trossard and the disappointing Gyokeres with Martinelli and Jesus. Gabriel Martinelli actually went on to have have a pretty impressive half an hour and came closest to breaking the deadlock. Jesus was fairly anonymous but did have a header on goal and on target which Alisson saved easily.
On 78 Arteta played his last card by replacing Saka and Odegaard with Madueke and Eze and Noni did actually liven things up, Ebbs less so. On 80 and following a great run Noni put a beautiful low across into the box and despite the space no Arsenal player gambled and the chance went begging. On 82 Szoboszlai struck a dipping free kick just over the bar but despite Liverpool’s possession stats Raya was relatively untroubled in the 2nd 45.
As the clock ticked into 4 minutes of added time Arsenal woke up, almost as if someone flicked a switch and the prospect of a late flurry gave us renewed hope but nothing really came of it until the very last moments. Finally a corner, Madueke swung across a dipping drive to the far post and there was Gabriel rising with nobody to block him, but in keeping with the match, he put it wide with Noni holding his head in his hands and the Arsenal bench in disbelief.
That was that, Arsenal lacked their usual zip whilst Liverpool continued a 10 match unbeaten run. The sooner Mo Salah returns and upsets the applecart again the better.
Next up Arteta will have to mix and match at Fratton Park but who knows what kind of Portsmouth will await us because this is the FA Cup!
Arsenal are six points ahead after a gruelling period of a game every few days and it’s going to continue that way into the rest of January with 7 League Cup, FA Cup, CL and Premier League games in 23 days up to January 31st which is pretty much a game every 3 days! Arteta is going to need every player in his squad so nobody is going out on loan or should be allowed to in my opinion.
We march on.
**By Kev.**