Tonight’s game was billed as a huge clash by virtually everyone in the footballing world. The two “in-form” teams in the league fighting it out to assert dominance a top the Premier League table. It was Arsenal who eventually coasted to victory, but what should we take from the game?
The Liverpool Myth
To my mind, tonight summed up something I have been saying all season about the current Liverpool team. It simply isn’t that good. Aside from Suarez, Gerrard (and arguably Sturridge who I admit is in good form), their team strikes me as fairly average.
Liverpool’s top 4 aspirations have been massively overblown this season and I think they will seriously struggle to clinch Champions League football at the end of the season.
However, this win is huge for Arsenal as we have I believe posted a statement of intent even though I think we should always have been heavy favourites to win tonight.
Safety Cushion
Say what you like about who we’ve played, who we’re yet to play and the strength and depth of our squad. We are now five points clear at the top of the league.
This is a huge plus going into what is a tricky run of games especially with Manchester United next weekend.
If we can keep this cushion, the likes of Man City and Chelsea will be under immense pressure to keep up with us, which will naturally work in our favour.
The leagues ‘Most Dangerous’ attacking pair
Arguably the biggest talking point before the game was the impressive partnership that’s formed between Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. There can be no doubt that we faced a tremendous force of attack today.
For this reason I single out our centre backs for particular recognition, and indeed the goalkeeper.
Koscielny and Mertesacker barely put a foot out of line all game and, although people doubt our defence I think we’ve got an ideal coupling of players at the back.
No doubt Per and Laurent are good enough to play against the very best and they both bring with them very different attributes.
Mertesacker reads the game so well and Koscielny makes up for his shortcomings of speed and agility.
As for Szczesny, he was outstanding today, in total command of the area and looking like a top Premier League goalkeeper.
Of course we can’t ignore his potentially disastrous pass to Sturridge, I see it as a minor blip on what was otherwise a very credible performance.
Team Work
Although it sounds very cliché, I really struggle to pick out any other individuals today. Everyone played so well and some of passing moves in midfield were truly mind blowing. We looked so in control of the game today and I think we can only thank confidence and team spirit for that.
I suppose I should mention Ramsey and his goal but what is there to say that hasn’t already been said? The man’s a machine and if he keeps up this level of performance all season it could be the one of the greatest individual seasons ever.
Confidence
Tonight we played a game that a lot of Gooner’s will have feared. We breezed through a game in which many thought we would struggle.
I’m immensely proud of all the players and think we can do the same next weekend. Roll on the defending champions.
Latest:
