Kevin Whitcher
Arsenal have faced some stiff tests this season. Spurs, Napoli, Dortmund. Only once did they fall short, but many were waiting until the current week in which they face Liverpool before travelling to Germany and then Old Trafford before deciding whether there is the quality to habitually get results against strong opposition. So far, so good.
Liverpool have emerged as genuine title contenders, making a solid start before the return of Luis Suarez strengthened their case still. For both sides, this fixture became very significant. Arsenal’s performance was certainly good enough to justify the spoils, but the game was a very open one in which neither side decided to play with caution, which led to an open and entertaining 90 minutes.
The difference was that Arsenal took enough of their chances – and I am sure they fashioned more than the visitors. There were however a couple of occasions in the first half when a collected sharp intake of breath went around the stadium as Liverpool broke from their own half. It certainly seemed that for Wenger’s team that attack was the best form of defence. That’s fine if you put your chances away, and Liverpool allowed them more than Dortmund did recently.
Arsenal captitalised in the 19th minute thanks to a tidy combination between Ozil, Sagna and Cazorla which created the unlikely sight of Cazorla heading the ball at goal, and being composed enough to take the rebound after it cannoned off the post. It was the culmination of a fine move.
Brendan Rodgers plays three at the back and the movement of Arsenal’s players behind Giroud made life difficult for them. So much so that the formation was changed at half time to something more orthodox. It is certainly a strength of the Gunners that their attacking play involves so much fluidity, although when moves break down, on occasion they can be exposed, especially if the two nominally deeper midfielders get drawn into the attacking move. The fear was that the loss of Flamini might weaken the home side, but Arteta for the most part had a much-improved game. I wonder if the knowledge that there is genuine competition for the two positions behind Ozil is making him re-think his game.
The introduction of Coutinho by Liverpool after the interval signaled the visitors’ intentions and they certainly enjoyed more of the ball. However, chances kept coming for Arsenal with a Giroud miss when clean through reminding the crowd of the bad old days last season when the striker tended to fluff chances in the big games. It mattered not though, as shortly afterwards Aaron Ramsey hit a wonder half-volley to make it 2-0.
It was not going to be Liverpool’s night (and I do consider these 5.30 games that begin in the dark to be night matches) with chances created as they went for broke were not taken. There was even time for Szczesny to remind us that when he gets the ball at his feet, anything can happen. At times, fortune smiled on Arsenal, but it was luck that was earned by a very good all round performance. There were some errors that will need to be eradicated – a tendency for sloppiness in possession in their own half is still a worry – but the spirit of the team looks good. At present, the players look confident and have bounced back from the defeats by Dortmund and Chelsea with no apparent hangover.
It will be interesting to see the approach on Wednesday evening in the return game against the German side. Will Arsenal play cautious or go for the win? As I understand it, were they to lose, a win against Marseille at home and a draw in Naples would see them through if Dortmund beat Napoli at home. Still, that is relying on other results, and things rarely go as predicted in Europe. Manchester United away is another stiff challenge and one that the Gunners will need total focus for. Defeats at Old Trafford have become a bit too predictable in recent seasons and it is a trend Arsenal need to change if they are to creditably compete again. One other aspect that the next two matches will introduce is that – so far – when Arsenal have faced strong opposition, it has been on their own turf. How they perform on the road against top teams will tell us a lot.
Still, victory over Liverpool and a five point lead at the top of the table will do wonders for the confidence at the start of a testing week. Let’s hope that the fans are feeling as positive by the time the next international break kicks in.
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