Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Live Player Ratings for Both Teams

Liverpool travel to Arsenal on Saturday as the top two of the Premier League face off in what is arguably the toughest match of the season so far for both sets of players.

At half time, the Gunners lead 1-0 thanks to Santi Cazorla's strike, though the Reds have had a goal questionably chalked off by the referee.

Player	HT	FT
Szczesny	7	8
Sagna	8	7
Mertesacker	7	7
Koscielny	6	7
Gibbs	6	7
Ramsey	7	8
Arteta	7	8
Cazorla	7	7
Rosicky	6	6
Ozil	6	6
Giroud	7	6

Player	HT	FT
Mignolet	7	7
Toure	6	6
Skrtel	6	6
Sakho	7	7
Flanagan	7	6
Cissokho	5	5
Lucas	5	5
Henderson	6	6
Gerrard	6	5
Suarez	7	7
Sturridge	6	6

First half analysis:

Liverpool started well by pressuring Arsenal high up the field and moving their transitions quickly through Gerrard and Henderson onto the front two—but that all changed with the goal.

Since then, Arsenal have dominated possession and have also been able to press high, with Giroud's movement helping the home side outnumber Liverpool at the base of their midfield. Not enough pace from either side for counter-attacks to be particularly devastating so far, which is another reason why Arsenal's possession has helped them so much.

Second half analysis:

This game was won by Arsenal's greater capacity to control possession—and a wonder-goal by Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal's two centre-backs did well to keep Liverpool's front two quiet for most of the match, with Wojciech Szczesny excelling late in the game when he was called into action.

A change of formation aided Liverpool after half-time, but they were not aggressive enough in pressing in midfield and, in truth, after Ramsey's long-range strike, never looked like taking anything from the match.

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