Arsenal show progress in defeat to Liverpool

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2  
Premier League  
Wednesday 16th March 2022 8.15pm   

Gooners came in hope rather than expectation on a wet Wednesday evening in north London, and witnessed the reality that in the rebuild of the club’s playing squad, their opponents on the night are several seasons ahead. Managerial talents like those now in charge at England’s top two clubs were available at a time when the Arsenal board, rather than looking forward, took an ‘In Arsene We Trust’ policy, not quite having the football knowhow to realize they were overseeing ‘In Arsene We Rust’, with little desire to see anything beyond the balance sheet. The club was no longer contending for the big trophies, but Champions League money was rolling in, regardless of habitual elimination the moment a decent side came up in the draw. Two successive seasons of failure to qualify for the UEFA’s financial pig’s trough finally forced long overdue change, by which time Klopp and Guardiola were settled in the Premier League and Arsenal’s boat was drifting, hopelessly trying to make up lost ground.

Recent months have seen them start to make a case that this can be achieved with astute purchasing and the further development of the younger players they already have. The danger is that Arsenal are still a selling club. Martinelli and Saka will surely be the subject of some aggressive bids in the summer, home and abroad. I’ve always felt the young Brazilian would end up at one of Spain’s top two, although Barcelona’s financial woes will in theory limit the kind of offer that can’t be refused. Ultimately, Liverpool’s sales of Luis Suarez and Coutinho funded their own rebuild, so it is possible to apparently weaken the squad, at the same time as actually using incoming funds to improve it – as long as you buy wisely. Arsenal certainly used to do this – the departures of the likes of Anelka, Petit and Overmars seeing the arrivals of replacements that were able to ultimately make the team even stronger. Kudos to Edu for the purchase of Martinelli – we need to see more of such talent secured at bargain prices. Having a coach with the experience of Klopp does no harm either, and we await to see if Arteta purely needs time.

Liverpool continue to rejuvenate their own squad, with the likes of Jota and Diaz evidence of a policy of not resting on laurels and looking forward to a time when their existing strikeforce may begin to fade. They were able to sub these two with Salah and Firmino yesterday evening. Arsenal replaced Saka and Lacazette with Pepe and Nketiah. And that sums it up in a nutshell.

Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta’s side made a fist of the game, as they did on New Year’s Day against Manchester City. Critically, they went toe to toe in terms of aggression and confidence in their own ability to control possession. It was a tight, but gripping first half, with plenty of tension if not too many chances. And at top level, games can be like this. Ultimately, it told a story of defences on top, and we cannot ignore the reality that in four matches against Klopp’s side this season, the Gunners have failed to score. This is down to the quality of Liverpool’s defence. Arsenal are improving on that front, but the two goals in a spell of six minutes that decided the game showed that there is still work to do.

The match turned on a short spell before the opener. A poor back pass gave Lacazette the ball in the visitor’s box with just the keeper to beat, but Alisson narrowed his options, and his pass to Odegaard might have seen a goal had the Norwegian not taken a touch before shooting. As it was Alisson – on the penalty spot – was able to get something on it and parry the shot over. Soon after, Thiago Alacantra (another example of astute squad strengthening) sliced open Arsenal’s back four to give Jota a route to goal. Ramsdale could have done better, but the low hard shot on a soaking wet night made life difficult for him and it was advantage Liverpool. 

Both goals came down Arsenal’s right side and you have to wonder whether the presence of the injured Tomiyasu might have improved the home side’s chances with either goal. Cedric was heading forward when Saka lost the ball near the touchline with his side under pressure. Having said that, it was a difficult evening for the right backs on either side. Martinelli, the Gunners’ standout player, made Trent Alexander-Arnold look very ordinary. The Brazilian is normally subbed, but it was significant that for a change, it was Odegaard that was sacrificed for Smith Rowe. The Norwegian was unable to find as much space as he had the previous weekend against Leicester, the opposition midfield featuring two players more than capable of snuffing him out in Henderson and Fabinho. 

Arsenal did not give up, but you felt the game was gone. Martinelli went close when there was still time to salvage a draw, but in games of few clear-cut chances, against teams of Liverpool’s quality, being clinical is what gets you results. The home side only had two shots on target in the whole game, although that the opposition only had three at least gives reassurance that things are getting better. In the return match at Anfield in November, the stats were 9-3 in Liverpool’s favour. 

I’d have settled for a draw before the kick-off and in that respect, at worst, this feels like a point dropped. It’s no big thing as long as the side have the resilience and character to bounce back at the weekend. Villa Park away is far from an easy game, but on recent form, Arsenal are capable of winning the match. Yes, Villa have not had to play this midweek, and will be more rested. So it will be a challenge, but one that gives the team the opportunity to confirm that the good form that they have been showing is not a flash in the pan. The side is settled, understanding is there. Last night’s display was more than credible, it merely showed that in a game of tight margins, generally quality will win the day. Liverpool have a much stronger roster of players. We knew that before, nothing’s changed. But it was encouraging to at least make them work for the result and at times, play some decent football against difficult opposition. 

However, ultimately, it is not the matches against the sides above them in the table that will determine whether or not Arsenal are in the Champions League next season. Saturday is a different matter.

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