Sigh. We went toe to toe with them for 54 minutes.

Then their quality prevailed. They really are a machine, and are on a ruthless streak. We’re not there yet, but we’re a couple of players away.

It’s nice to know that Arsenal (at the Emirates) can again give any team in the world a game. We’re off, but not by a million miles. This bud has not stopped moving, we’re still hurtling in the right direction.

My day was completely occupied by nerves. Excitement, but crippling butterflies too. It’s in some way a relief. Arsenal are now close enough to teams like Liverpool that we can be nervous again, knowing that the game will be close (or close enough). It’s a relief that we all care again, that we can all be invested in the club again, that we can see its direction. 

The Emirates atmosphere reflected that. It was bouncing. The crowd knew they would have a part to play, but also this team deserves the support, they make it hard to not create an atmosphere. Midweek football, under the lights in the rain. The best. I hope it will be a regular occurrence next season…

Liverpool started authoritatively. Pinning Arsenal back as they won three corners consecutively, one of which resulting in a save from Ramsdale as Van Dijk towered above the pack, unmarked in the box. Arsenal recovered though. Arteta calmed the team down, gesturing from the sidelines.

Some more good football in tight areas almost led to a breakaway, as Ø couldn’t quite thread a through ball into Saka. The first half was completely even, with a significant lack of chances for both sides.

The pinnacle of the half for Liverpool probably being the last kick, as Trent floated an unbelievable pass into Mane who couldn’t keep his effort down.

Martinelli was the bright spark for us, he had Trent on toast - and particularly in this game proved to us why Klopp has been raving about him so much.

HT, 0-0 and we had them right where we wanted them.

It was completely even, and you could see that they were starting to get frustrated. Klopp was moaning as usual, but the Liverpool fans were silent, nervous as their team could not get a foothold on the game. 

Arsenal started the second half really brightly. Chances came, and the team were starting to take a hold of the game. Arteta geed the crowd up, recognising that his side were rocking Liverpool. Martinelli went on a fantastic run minutes later, beating Henderson, and then Trent again before pulling it back. Agonisingly there was no one on the end of it.

The chance, the one to change this came fell to Ø in the 50th minute. Thiago gifted the ball to Lacazette, who tried to beat Alison before deciding to lay it off to Ø, who saw his shot blocked.

That was the chance, that’s where we need the ruthlessness.

Maybe a different forward takes that on their own, and changes the landscape completely. Today it didn’t, and Liverpool capitalised 5 minutes later.

A delicious through ball from Thiago found Jota, who fired low into Ramsdale’s near post. He’ll be disappointed with that, could and maybe should have done better.

The Emirates bubble popped a little bit, though seconds later the crowd all rose to lift the team once more. Having just conceded, the fans rallied for the players, knowing they would need them again. Again this just illustrates the connection that has developed.

The fans would die for these players, and vice versa. Liverpool started to tighten their grip though, and proved why they are still in this title race. They are a machine. Firmino really took the wind out of the Arsenal sails when he flicked home with 30 minutes to play. They then strangled the game, and exhibited a perfect display of the art of fame management. 

The gap is smaller now. Arsenal have players that will very quickly become world class. Saka, Martinelli, Ø, Gabriel and others. This team is really close. As Mikel said, “from box to box we were at their level or better, they won the game in the boxes”.

He’s absolutely right, and that’s the difference right now. Liverpool have the ruthlessness which Arsenal don’t quite have yet, but it will come.

This team is just as good as I thought they were, but I think Liverpool are better than I thought too! It’s all about the response now.

A short turnaround, and a tough trip to Villa awaits. Until then, Gunners.