Three Things We Learned After Arsenal’s Anfield Triumph
Arsenal seal a first win at Anfield in 14 years after memorably winning at Liverpool on Sunday
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The view from the away end at Anfield as the teams walk out before kick-off. CREDIT: @laythy29
1: Declan Rice: We Really Did Get Him Half Price
Superb cross for the goal, inch perfect across the box for Kai Havertz to slot home his fourth of the season, breaking a spell of nine games without a goal, which included the dreadful performance at Fleetwood.
Speaking to Kelly Cates on Match of the Day he reflected on how difficult it is to be at the level required to win at citadels such as Anfield: “Physically, mentally, so much going on the pitch, you’ve got to be switched on,” he said. Modest as ever Rice was quick to give credit to his defence, explaining the backline was so solid because: “It’s been drilled into us since Gabriel Heinze arrived, he’s a crazy guy…we’ve got really good strength at the back.”
Rice was also spot on when he hailed centre-back Ezri Konsa’s performance, who has slotted in seamlessly in Willam Saliba’s absence, and who was a rock at Anfield. “For me, Ezri has always been this good, even at Villa he’s always been 7 or 8/10,” said Rice.
Rice also said he is really enjoying his position this season, saying he loves “*being involved in all aspects.*” Talking about the goal, Rice explained: “I said to Kai before the game, just attack the box.”
Of course, winning is not for everyone at Anfield, not least the 14 years between Arsenal wins at Liverpool, the key thread being Mikel Arteta, who captained the Gunners back in 2012 when Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski sealed a memorable triumph, to sealing Sunday’s superb victory as manager of course.
Rice added: “It’s a relief we won last year but it never. gets any easier…when you get out there you relish it.
“After last season I realised it if you’re in it in April you’ve got a just…we’ve got to stay composed.”
Rice always looks on the verge of exhaustion, but invariably gives a majestic performance in the heart of battle.
An assist and a powerful effort that tested Allisson were evidence of his influence, but Rice gives so much more than that in terms of leadership, in terms of putting his body on the line in every single challenge, block and interception, let alone prompting attacks, while marshalling defensive colleagues through his all-action style. And to top it off, he’s a really good bloke
We really are watching a world class player at our club.
The Arsenal team celebrate with the 3,000 travelling Gooners massed in the away end at Anfield after the final whistle. CREDIT: Layth (@laythy29)
2: One Nil To The Arsenal - And That’s The Way We Like It
Arsenal underlined their strength in depth, their solidity in defence, their game management, their attacking flair and their all-round quality in all areas.
Kudos to Christos Tzolis who looked lively in spells culminating in his late effort that Allison got down sharply to tip away, that prompted Rice to say: “Credit to him, to win the league we’re going to need strength in numbers…”
Kudos must also go to David Raya for a solid performance, ditto Justine Timber, especially when taking issue with MacAllister’s snide pat on Martin Odegaard’s head, which incidentally, saw the Argentine go down like a sack of spuds when Noni Madueke got near. I’ve had enough of watching histrionics from Argentina players after covering the World Cup, so it was good to note referee Andy Madely wasn’t sucked in by it, handing Timber and MacAllister yellows, but leaving Madueke rightly unsanctioned.
3: Deep, deep joy in the away end after fourteen long years
I went in the away end on Sunday, as I’m so busy with working on my World Cup book ahead of my November 30 deadline with the publishers, and I needed a break from the intensity of writing a book, my third, after a decade’s gap.
It was so enjoyable to experience the sheer joy and exhilaration that winning at Anfield provides. I’ve been going to this fixture since the 1980s and even I can only count a handful of victories, which made Arsenal’s triumph all the more sweeter.
It was also great to catch up with loads of old mates to cheer on the Gunners, not to mention a restorative spot of R&R in Liverpool, which, to be fair, I’ve always enjoyed far more than going out in Manchester.
Next stop Prague, where I’ll be covering the game as a journalist, with Slavia Prague vs Arsenal on the Wednesday, while also reporting on Sparta Prague vs Bournemouth in the Europa League on the Thursday, in one of my favourite capital cities on the planet.
Have a good week, see you there.
Cheers
Layth
Layth’s Take is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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