Arsenal 2 - 0 Liverpool: Huge performance, huge win

Just when some doubts were starting to creep in after the Dortmund and Chelsea results, Arsenal come out with, arguably, their best performance this season so far and secure a big result.

I loved tonight's game not just for our performance, but because it was an interesting tactical battle that we came out on top off, which doesn't happen that often. My main concern going into the game was our lack width, which was needed to stretch the exploit space behind Liverpool's wing backs and stretch their three centre backs, so I was pleasantly surprised when our midfielders made runs towards the channels. Although we didn't make many clear cut opportunities, we did manage to play around their defenders thanks to our midfield runners.

The stretching of their backline was how we scored their first goal. Cissohko was slow to track Sagna back, so Sakho ended up being sucked out towards Arteta, who was moving forward with the ball. Sagna's cross was excellent, and Cazorla, with plenty of room due to Flannagan on the other side not covering, was unlucky to hit the post with his header. Fortunately, the ball fell kindly for him and he smashed it in to give us that vital lead.

In these games, that first goal is massive. Liverpool were under more pressure to come out and create and they didn't appear to react that well. Suarez and Sturridge looked isolated up front as they little support from their midfield and wing backs. Arsenal defended the centre extremely well, aided by excellent cover provided by Arteta, while Liverpool's delivery from wide positions wasn't good enough to cause us trouble.

The second half, I thought, would end up with Liverpool keeping more of the ball and us defending more and protecting our lead, and it eventually ended up that way... except we had a two goal lead instead of one. Rodgers changed the shape of his team at half time, replacing Cissohko with Coutinho and shifting to 4-4-2, probably with the view of providing the flanks more protection. While that solved one problem, it did leave us with a numerical advantage in the middle and that seemed to work in our favour for Ramsey's goal, excellent strike that it was.

Our pressing, too, was also very good. I said before the game that Liverpool's defenders weren't the most comfortable on the ball, and we forced them into a couple of errors. We made a chance for Giroud this way, but he chipped it wide when he really, really should have scored. In another game, that sort of miss comes back to haunt you.

Liverpool weren't without their own chances. Szczesny had to come out and smother a loose ball twice, and he almost gifted them a goal with a sloppy pass. Suarez hit the post with a great effort from a tight angle, while Sturridge made a mess of heading Henderson's pinpoint cross. In the first half, Henderson somehow ran through the middle of our team, but lost his composure in the penalty area. It could have been a more uncomfortable night had one of these resulted in a Liverpool goal

Still, let's not take too much away from our defensive performance, which was very good from start to finish. Mertesacker and Koscielny did extremely well against Suarez and Sturridge, and the fullbacks and midfielders provided the cover necessary to prevent any of our defenders getting isolated against one of them. What's more, the number of stupid mistakes was kept to a minimum.

Everyone performed very well. Özil still managed to get an assist despite not being at his best, and Giroud's work rate and link-up play were, again, very good, which made up for his lack of clinical finishing. The players tired towards the end, but that was to be expected given the number of games we've played recently and our lack of rotation, forced by an ever-growing injury list.

It's a perfect way to kick off this run of tough fixtures and it puts us five points clear at the top of the table after 10 games. While I still think it's too early to say who will challenge and who won't, it's encouraging to see that we're continuing to be consistent while the other contenders are dropping points. In the past, we've dropped points when the opportunity to gain ground was there. Now, it's just a matter of keeping everyone fit and keeping this form going.

Next up is a fun trip to Dortmund in a huge Champions League fixture, then it's Old Trafford the following Sunday. Positive results in those games and we really will be flying.

Was a brilliant team performance. Very similar to the one against Napoli. everyone played well and those who didn't play well, still did their duty good enough to not let the others down. Our tactical pressing, our ball retention and our passing were extra ordinary. We were against the 2nd placed team and managed to perform this good

There are too many candidates for the MOTM. Koscielny and Mertesacker were brilliant together. Ramsey with a stunning goal. Rosicky was so good. Gibbs was amazing and Sagna likewise. But, Arteta was a level above everyone else. We had no Flamini and yet Arteta managed to win the ball back time n time again and get us going. Starting the attacks, keeping the ball moving. Everything he did was just brilliant. MOTM

5 points clear and going to O.T will be relaxing now. We need to keep this level. BIG test against Dortmund this midweek as well.

Shame Gibbs got injured. Supposed to be out for 2-3 weeks. Monreal is good enough though.

Great work Jay. Magnificent performance, great result.

God, I love it when we play like that. Fluid, quick-paced football and defending in packs and with intensity.

Only concern is the Wilshere/Gibbs injuries, but other than that a terrific team display. Arteta was outstanding.

Put it in your pipe and smoke it Hansen.
Great summary GoonerJay.
Still concerned how we will shape up against the likes of Chelsea and City - Liverpool midfield leaves something to be desired which they most certainly do not. As you say, the Liverpool lines were stretched and Suarez/Sturridge may well have punished us with better service and more opportunities.. won't be the case against Chelsea and City. I think A.W may consider a Flamini preference for those games.

But for now we celebrate Brilliant game for us.

missed the game

Great to see we won though. Widened the gap

Great win even greater when you take into account number of more games we have played than LFC since the start of season

Sagnas willingness to get forward
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2013/matches/695000/player-stats/37748/1_PASS_07#tabs-wrapper-anchor

http://25.media.tumblr.com/053fdcdb42ba0bf35193977397047c6d/tumblr_mvnisoblHI1rhhlcoo7_500.png

GREAT shift by this pair
esp kos had always struggled vs Suarez even after bossing RVP,Aguero and co

Woj had such assured performance apart from that one two with Sturridge

disappointed Giroud didnt score his chance though
but some great combinations in our final 3rd and great movement

couldnt ask for more given Restrictions in squad

Badly want us to beat BVB now but would take 1 p

Amazing performance. Not going into detail, everything was summed perfectly in this thread.

Just want to say, give this man the contract he deserves:

Spoiler:

Top class and proper Arsenal man, 3+1 contract no bullshit Arsenal!

I was a little nervous going into this one but wow, that was a composed and assured performance. Liverpool felt nullified, tactically. Have Suarez or Sturridge looked so ineffectual, relatively speaking, yet this season?

Szczesny was calm and excellent tonight (with the exception of that one crazy moment). The defense was terrific. Arteta in a really assured display.

Giroud had an off-day in terms of finishing but I thought he linked up well with the midfield and he harassed the Liverpool defenders too.

Özil kind of quiet by his own high standards, also his touch let him down a couple times, which is odd for him.

Ramsey and Cazorla.

urbaNRoots wrote:Amazing performance. Not going into detail, everything was summed perfectly in this thread.

Just want to say, give this man the contract he deserves:

Spoiler:

Top class and proper Arsenal man, 3+1 contract no bullshit Arsenal!

Hear hear!

Samuelj29060 wrote:

Loving the passion of this side. You get the feeling everyone in this squad busts a gut for one another. Beautiful to see. Even when a pass goes astray, initial frustration which is suppressed and followed by a clap of encouragement/appreciation for the intent behind the pass.

Top Top Top win. Hope Gibbs is ok, we need him for CL.

Before the game I was worried but I believed in our team to win the game and didn't see it coming this easy. We totality dominated the game and wished Giroud had scored, we really need him to be full of confidence for Dortmund game.

I swear my gf is good luck. Every game she watches with me we win. And not only do we win someone scores a screamer in a thrilling match

^ what is that ? is he trying to imitate Wenger ?
Germans are fun.. Poldi and him.. amazing people to have in the dressing room..