Arsenal Vs Liverpool: Cole and Koscielny See Red, Reina Scores

Arsenal’s Premier League campaign got off to a rather uninspiring 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday Night.  Despite having the majority of possession and field position the attacking play hardly set the world on fire, while defensively, the need for new recruits could not have been made any clearer.

The game opened rather cagily, with both sides trying to ease into the new campaign, rather than as Chelsea did, hit the ground running. Admittedly, opening day to Liverpool away is a much larger beast than West Brom at home, but that can’t be used as an excuse if Arsenal are to mount a serious title challenge. Every game has to be considered a must win, because with the premier league becoming increasingly more than a 4 horse race, all the top teams are going to drop points where previously they wouldn’t have.

As the game continued the play became more open and fluid, although neither team could find a killer blow there were many promising signs on the pitch.

For Liverpool maybe.

Arsenal demonstrated why they so desperately clung to Talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas over the summer, and why they so desperately need a new, commanding goalkeeper. Even with the likes of Walcott, Nasri, Rosicky, Chamakh Van Persie and Arshavin on the filed, Arsenal never really looked like penetrating the Liverpool defence.

And although Almunia can hardly be faulted for the goal, his performance was not that of a player with the self-belief to keep for a side that is keen to challenge for major honours come May next year.

Arsenal’s attack proved ultimately toothless despite some good lead up play in the midfield and being able to control the ball for large periods of time. There was never a killer ball. At no point did Arshavin look like he was going to emulate the feats of his four-goal haul, nor even his stunner from last years corresponding fixture. In fact, he looked well off the pace and even uncomfortable in possession. Nasri was stunning in pre-season, and it looked as though his form had carried over into the season proper, but he too looked uncomfortable in possession in the final third, his killer instinct was lacking, and his vision was well off. Rosicky, Walcott and Van Persie all looked promising in their play, and Arsenal looked sharper with them on the field. Debutant Marouane Chamakh did enough to suggest that he will be a strong signing for Arsenal, although his performance hardly set pulses racing. His pressure on Rosicky’s cross did enough to get the ball into the back of the net after, somewhat ironically, Pepe Reina committed a goalkeeping howler the likes of which Arsenal fans are used to seeing at their own end.

Defensively, Arsenal looked O.K. nothing special, but not terrible. Thomas Vermaelen showed why he was considered one of last season’s best signings across the league, playing box-to-box almost in the second half. But his lack of pressure on Ngog meant the young Frenchman was able to fire a bullet into the top right hand corner. Wingbacks Sagna and Clichy looked good going forward, and both made vital interceptions and tackles when dropping back. Although Clichy will be looking over his should with a few nervous glances, after being at fault for the goal due to a terrible clearance, as young Englishman Gibbs looks to cement his spot for both club and country. Koscielny was handed a baptism by fire in the Anfield cauldron, and it wasn’t made any easier when he was the victim of Joe Cole’s rash, although definitely not red-card worthy tackle. His reading of the game was solid, and he showed great pace when he fell behind Torres, only to reign in the world cup winner. His late challenge on Gerrard certainly deserved a yellow, but his second for a perceived handball was harsh. There was most definitely contact with the ball but it was more ball to hand than hand to ball. Ngog’s handball not 20 minutes earlier was much more deliberate than Koscielny’s, and he escaped without a booking.

Youngster Jack Wilshere looked good in the midfield, as his touch was assured and he was fearless when going into a tackle. Certainly a promising talent in the squad, but with Fabregas returning to match fitness, his first team opportunities will be limited.

Finally, the Keeping.

As mentioned previously, Almunia can’t be faulted for the goal, that blame lies with Clichy’s lack of a clearance and Vermaelen’s lack of pressure on Ngog. But his performance otherwise can’t been tolerated as he looked so lost when a ball was fired in from wide positions. Twice coming off his line to attempt to punch, and flailing at the ball helplessly when a strong fist was required and so often not committing to fully coming off his line, Arsenal were lucky not concede more than the solitary goal.

Arsene Wenger, having now signed on for another 3 years, affirming his commitment and loyalty to the club, must make at least two more signings before the close of the transfer window, if he is to avoid the “disgrace” of not winning a trophy this season and leaving fans hungry for his head.

Obviously a new goalkeeper is a must, and after being dropped by City on Saturday Given is definitely an option, as well as Schwarzer who has openly admitted to wanting to join Arsenal, Wenger has two top quality options to make a bid for – and he must!

Secondly, either a second centre-back signing is required, 3 centre backs is not enough in a squad looking to challenge in the League and the champions league. But if not a Centre back then a holding midfielder to back up Alex Song. This would then allow for Song to drop into defence if the need arises and Diaby won’t have to fill in as a makeshift defensive midfielder. His performance in the holding role left so much to be desired.

In the end, 1-1 was a fair result, and Arsenal’s blushes were spared by Reina’s error, but the performance itself left Arsenal fans wondering whether or not this will be the season when the heavens open and the trophy cabinet is filled after five long years of “next season will be ours.”