I said after the Crystal Palace game that a storm was coming. It seemed that nobody told the Arsenal players, as they started the match in what has been a customary lethargic fashion in recent weeks.
If you're going to run into a tornado, you have to prepare yourself accordingly. Arsenal didn't and were blown away in the first 20 minutes.
Wojciech Szczesny - 5 – He didn't do a lot wrong on any of the goals, and made a couple of solid saves. To be hyper-critical, he could have done a little better on the 1st and 4th goals.
Bacary Sagna – 4 – He has been in superb form this season. But this was badly short of his normal standard. Maybe he was expecting to face Luis Suarez, rather than Raheem Sterling, as the England youngster ran him a merry dance throughout the contest.
Per Mertesacker – 4 – He wasn't helped by being so exposed by his midfield, but Mertesacker was unable to hold the back four together during Liverpool's early onslaught. It was the German's concession of a free-kick in the first minute that started Arsenal's misery.
Laurent Koscielny – 4 – The Frenchman failed to take his positional cue from Mertesacker, often being either too deep or too high up. Never got to grips with Daniel Sturridge and Suarez.
Nacho Monreal – 4 – He may be made a scapegoat for the defeat, and there's no doubt that Monreal was poor. Faced Suarez, rather than Sterling, and was chasing the Uruguayan's shadow. Although I don't feel he was any worse than the rest of the defence.
Jack Wilshere – 5 – Deserves credit for continuously trying to inject some alacrity into Arsenal's attacking play. However, his overeagerness left the defence exposed at times. Better display in the second-half.
Mikel Arteta – 4 – The captain was as poor today, as he was superb in the corresponding 2-0 win at The Emirates. The Liverpool midfield passed around him for fun, and he was unable to provide a stable bulwark for the defence. Converted a penalty in the second-half.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5 – He was anonymous in the first-half. Was arguably Arsenal's best performer in the second. Did well to win the penalty that Arteta scored from. Wonder if his athleticism would have been better served in the middle of the pitch.
Mesut Ozil – 2 – I'm of the belief that some of the criticism aimed Ozil's way shows a misunderstanding of the type of player that he is. However, that doesn't mean he's immune from critique, and his recent form has been poor. Today was probably his worst display for the club. He was at fault for 2 of Liverpool's goals, and he must perform better on Wednesday.
Santi Cazorla – 4 – Like Ozil, Cazorla was closed down swiftly when in possession, and had no answer to find space. What was most disappointing was his failure to support his teammates in possession. Also left Monreal exposed far too often.
Olivier Giroud – 4 – It's worrying that for the second successive match, Giroud struggled to link the play proficiently. He was often dispossessed before being able to set himself. Is the Frenchman beginning to run out of steam? It was telling that he was substituted on the hour mark.
SUBS
Tomas Rosicky – N/A – May help with the Czech's match-fitness
Kieran Gibbs – N/A – Didn't do too badly. Should start on Wednesday night.
Lukas Podolski – N/A – Could do little as the contest was over when he came on.
Fury and despair will likely rain out amongst Gooners. And this was an execrable performance. However, my personal take coming into this week was that taking 3 points from the 2 matches was acceptable. Beat Manchester United, and the title isn't gone. But one worries whether the psychological affect of losing so heavily will completely derail Arsenal's season.
Either way, Wednesday night will show just how mentally strong this Arsenal team really is.
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