Arsenal vs. Liverpool: What Does the Result Mean for Both Clubs

The Arsenal vs. Liverpool match at the Emirates was the first so-called "big match" of the season. 

The mood at Liverpool and Arsenal over the past few days could not be any different. 

Liverpool buoyed by the return of Kenny Dalglish and the spending by the owners in the transfer window seem to be a club on the up, trying to wrest back the Champions League spot that that they have not been able to achieve over the last two seasons. 

However, at Arsenal, things seem to be going in exactly the opposite direction, with the departure of the erstwhile club captain Cesc Fabregas to his boyhood club Barcelona and the eminent departure of the other midfield stalwart Samir Nasri.

With injuries and suspensions to go with the same, the lack of depth at the Emirates seemed to come to the forefront - with a number of youngsters included on the squad sheet, probably some a couple of seasons from being ready to play in the first team.  

For Liverpool, it presented them with the best opportunity to get their first win away at Arsenal in 11 years.

There were a couple of surprises on both the team sheets - with Luis Suarez on the bench for Liverpool and Samir Nasri starting for Arsenal.

After Arsenal held-off Liverpool for 78 minutes, Liverpool finally managed to break the deadlock, through an unlucky own goal and Suarez sealed the win with a tap in the 90th minute. 

Though its just the start of the season, this result does give some insights for both the teams.

Liverpool FC

This was an important win for the team - albeit against a depleted Arsenal side, but Kenny Dalglish was right in pointing out that one can only play against the team fielded against them. 

The defense was again a positive, with the team managing its first clean sheet of the season.

Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger seem to be combining well, and all the Liverpool fans would be hoping that both are able to stay fit. Martin Kelly and Jose Enrique also put in assured performances and now Liverpool seems to have a stable defense at their disposal.  

The midfield also combined well for most parts.

Though it's still early in the season, Liverpool some Liverpool fans would be worrying about the lack of penetration in the Liverpool attack without Suarez. 

Andy Carroll, though strong in the air, needs to perform better if he is to justify his place in the team. 

In addition, Jordan Henderson does not seem to be an automatic selection for a place in the starting eleven, which was further reinforced by the performance of Raul Meireles coming on from the bench.

One sincerely hopes that the news doing the rounds about his departure from Anfield are only rumors. 

With so many new players in the squad, more and more playing time together would only improve team chemistry and as a result, the performances are also expected to get better as the season goes on.

Liverpool finally seem to be having the depth in their squad that they had been lacking for some seasons now and with the imminent return of Steven Gerrard, Liverpool do seem to be on course for a strong showing this season. 

Arsenal

Arsenal seems to be the team with great deal of problems. 

Even the most ardent of Arsene Wenger fans' faith would be wavering now at the lack of intent on part of the manager to spend money in the transfer market. 

Over the years. Arsenal seem to have become a finishing school with most players leaving at a time when the peak of their careers are ahead of them, a fact reinforced by the departure of Cesc Fabregas and the news of Samir Nasri's move to Manchester City.

Nasri was without doubt the only player that seemed to be troubling the Liverpool defense and Arsenal must do their level best to keep hold of the skillful midfielder.

Though Arsenal has been unlucky with injuries and suspensions, it just brings to the forefront the increasing lack of depth at the Emirates. 

A number of players who started are still a couple of seasons from being ready, which was shown by the performance of Frimpong. 

Though the youngster showed that he had the skills to succeed, his lack of maturity during the match and the consequent red card may have been one of the reasons for Arsenal's ultimate loss in the match.

Wenger needs to utilise the remaining 10 days in the transfer window to reinforce his squad else Arsenal might start having the same fate as their rivals of the match, Liverpool starting having 2-3 seasons ago - lack of depth and ultimate loss of Champions League football.

Another worrying trend for Arsenal has been their disciplinary record. 

For a manager who advocates the free-flowing football and absolutely blasts rash football in interviews, the performances of some of the players might not make him too happy.

Last week it was Gervinho and in the match against Liverpool it was the inexperienced Frimpong. 

Arsenal had the second worst disciplinary record last season and that would need to improve, as Wenger would not want to lose additional players to suspensions in addition to the injury problems he seems to be having. 

One of the positives for Arsenal was the performance of Thomas Vermaelen and Wojciech Szczesny. 

Vermaelen won almost all the aerial duels with Andy Carroll and was one of the reasons for the nil-nil scoreline for a major portion of the game.

Szczesny also gave a consistent performance and pulled off a couple of crucial saves before the unfortunate first goal what flew off Ramsey's cheat over his head. 

With a trip to Manchester United next week, Arsenal need to pull up their socks to avoid having a dreadful start to their season.

All the Arsenal fans would be hoping that Wenger lets go off his stubborn nature and reinforces his squad so that they are able to compete with the top teams in the league.

Whether that happens or not is still to be seen.