Arsenal FC: 4 Conclusions from the Liverpool Game

Arsenal lost 2-0 to Liverpool today. 

A shocking result for the Arsenal supporters who hope that Arsene Wenger will take this match as a cue to start spending money on proven, experienced talent. 

The game started brightly for Arsenal, who missed many attempts but created a lot of chances.  After Laurent Koscielny had been substituted it was almost all Liverpool.

This trend continued in the second half as an Arsenal side defended backs to the wall, and after Emmanuel Frimpong went off, it was game set and match for Liverpool.  It seemed apparent that they would win a decidedly poor game. 

Arsenal's Wing Play

Arsenal used their wingers , Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin as key part of their game against Liverpool.  Both were lackluster today as the inexperience of Flanagan and Robinson was not present for them to exploit. 

The Liverpool full back today was Martin Kelly, a stalwart from last season and highly rated Spaniard Jose Enrique.  Walcott was especially horrible, losing his cool and not being able to get past an always calm and cool Enrique. 

Arshavin, on the other hand, was equally horrible not looking to make any contribution and trying tricks which were obviously not coming off.  He looked low on confidence and the tactical system that allowed him to harass more players at once looked to have let him down as Liverpool defended in numbers.

Liverpool's Defensive Play

The Liverpool defense was excellent and particularly the defensive midfield.  The entire side was slightly narrow, with Dirk Kuyt even dropping into midfield, allowing Liverpool to stifle Arsenal's creative force, still a shadow of what it was under Fabregas. 

Lucas interrupted moves to great effect, positioned as he was between Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri, Arsenal's main creative forces.

Arsenal played their usual, possession based style where they passed the ball with effect and incision.  However, Arsenal's wing play was deficient and Kenny Dalglish made his midfield very narrow indeed to stifle their play through the middle, allowing Arsenal time and space down the flanks, but very little end product as could clearly be seen.

Samir Nasri

Nasri was good today showing off his skill and dribbling ability.  He also showed that he could make good passes in tight situations. 

However, whenever he got the ball and advanced at the Liverpool defence, he played the ball to the flanks and often to Walcott, who was almost perenially wasteful.  Arsenal were hanging by a thread and only good passes by Ramsey and Nasri allowed them to keep on attacking

Nasri was obviously meant to be the main creative force today, and he showed that with his incisive play in the final third. 

It was not to be, however, as almost all of Arsenal's forward line were tactically nullified for Large periods of the game.  However, Nasri was one of the better players on the pitch and I think Arsenal will miss him.

Liverpool's Midfield and Attack

The Liverpool midfield was excellent today able to contain and attack Arsenal. 

Charlie Adam was the outstanding player orchestrating the play from deep.  He passed the ball around very effectively indeed creating the most chances of any player on the pitch.  Lucas was also effective, defending to great effect as well as passing the ball.

The attack was blunt, isolated up front with Andy Carroll being mastered by Thomas Vermaelen.  All the aerial balls supplied to him by Downing and Adam were quite comfortably dealt with. Downing was more threatening than Kuyt, but again, not that threatening.