Arsenal have been camped in their own half throughout the
first 20 minutes or so. Liverpool were dominating play, but fans might have
hoped the gunners could hold out and wait for their own moments. There have
been games in the past where Liverpool have been two or three goals up by this
point. So, being a goal down at 20 minutes in could be called progress.
Liverpool have the right side to themselves as Firmino,
Robinson and Wijnaldum shuffle the ball around between one another before
releasing Robinson to the by-line. He cuts the ball back for Mane, who’s at the
six-yard box for a simple tap-in. A well-worked goal that felt pretty
inevitable.
2. Three in Three for Lacazette!
Apparently Arsenal need to buy their own Van Dijk. Based on
this goal, we already have quite a few of them in the squad. Before the goal,
Arsenal had begun to create at least some half chances. Lacazette gets the
goal, and incredibly, this is his third goal in three games! The kind of stat any
striker should be proud of.
Today, he seemed to be a bit lighter on his feet. A bit
sharper. Van Dijk is dilly dallying on the ball. Nelson closes him down and
applies some pressure. The Dutchman hold him off but is significantly ruffled
as he plays the ball into space around the penalty spot for Lacazette to pounce
on. He rounds the out-rushing keeper and passes the ball into the empty goal.
3. Nelson!
Both Ljungberg and Arteta are big fans of Nelson, although
some supporters might have still needed convincing. Today the youngster forms a
front three with Lacazette and Pepe. They have seemed a lot closer together,
with and without possession. The first goal was born from Nelson’s and
Lacazette’s pressing, and the same two deserve the credit again.
This was another uncharacteristic mistake by Liverpool, and
it was brutally pounced on. The ball is played back to the Liverpool keeper,
Nelson closes him down and forces him to pass into the space between two of his
defenders. Lacazette’s on it like a flash, reacting far quicker than anyone
around him, he runs onto the ball and puts in a low cross back to Nelson, who
has retreated to get into a better position. He takes two neat touches to
control the ball and side-foots it into the bottom corner. 2-1.
4. The Boxer Without a Jab
Possibly the most one footed played ever seen in an Arsenal
shirt, Pepe may as well be wearing one football boot and one slipper. It’s
probably true that playing on the opposite flank makes it stand out far more.
He wants to cut inside, and it always look like he wants to cut inside. Robben
had the same characteristic, but he would only cut in to shoot at the last
minute. As soon as Pepe receives the ball, he’s looking to move infield.
Pepe is a quality player, but intelligent defenders will be
well positioned to stifle him. He received the ball a couple of times today,
and the Liverpool player marking him positioned himself almost side-on with the
Ivorian. Pepe’s cut inside was simply blocked, and with nowhere to go, he shyly
passed it backward. Somebody please give him a football, take him to a brick
wall and make him smash a ball against it with his right foot. Rinse and
repeat.
5. The ‘Liverpool Model’
Pundits and fans alike are heard saying Arsenal should
follow the Liverpool model, but what exactly is it? Is it selling an incredibly
overrated player for an extortionate amount? Is it buying Premier League talent
from smaller clubs like Southampton (is that why we bought Cedric Soares?). Or
is it spending big positions you really need to improve on? Because Liverpool
have done all of these.
In summary, the Liverpool model is to buy and sell well.
Yes, please. But let’s not act as if it’s some unique money ball system.
Arsenal’s recruitment policy needs improvement, and there’s multiply different
ways we can do that. There’s no need to glorify Liverpool.
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