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Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1: Match Report & Player Ratings
Sunday, 21 December 08, 03:00 PM · Comments(11)
Liverpool visited Arsenal and played a predictable 4-5-1 formation, encouraging Arsenal to hove forward and leave themselves open to counter attacks.
On 9, the first chance of the game. Gael Clichy playing 10 yards deeper than his fellow defenders allowing Robbie Keane to collect the ball in oceans of space behind the central definders. His cut back found the incoming Steven Gerrard, whose long-range strike was fairly comfortably managed by Almunia.
On 9, the first chance of the game. Gael Clichy playing 10 yards deeper than his fellow defenders allowing Robbie Keane to collect the ball in oceans of space behind the central definders. His cut back found the incoming Steven Gerrard, whose long-range strike was fairly comfortably managed by Almunia.
Arsenal's first chance arrived on the quarter hour, a probing cross from Sagna allowing Adebayor a glancing header, equally comfortably managed by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.
Several minutes later Keane tackled Clichy with gusto on the touchline. Didn't look too bad a tackle, Keane got plenty of the ball - but being ex-Tottenham provoked the fury of the crowd hence a yellow card from Howard Webb.
The game was tight and non-eventful up to the 23rd minute, when a raking long ball from Nasri was collected by Van Persie's chest on the edge of the area. As the ball dropped he turned Carragher in one seamless movement and hammered a right-footed strike past Reina. Truly world class finish, 1-0 Arsenal!
With Arsenal's confidence lifted they began to play some inspiring football. Liverpool were creating very little, with Keane completely isolated up front. Despite that,
possession was fairly even.
A long free-kick from Gerrard was easily dealt with by Almunia on 33, then on 42, the predictable happened. Arsenal fell asleep.
A 60 yard long ball from Daniel Agger went over the head of Johan Djourou allowing Keane to race through; Keane finished superbly - hammering into the roof of the net 1-1.
A 60 yard long ball from Daniel Agger went over the head of Johan Djourou allowing Keane to race through; Keane finished superbly - hammering into the roof of the net 1-1.
Djourou really should have been goalside, and Gallas was too far from his partner to recover in time.
On 44, Dirk Kuyt tricked Clichy too easily and whipped a fast, low ball into the box, but the incoming Gerrard could not make full contact. It could so easily have been 2-1, with Liverpool stealing the lead against the run of play in much the same way that Arsenal had at Stamford Bridge three weeks ago.
2 minutes later and Kuyt escaped Clichy once again to fire low and hard across Almunia's goal - Almunia needing his fingertips to protect the scoreline once again. Then,
as Arsenal broke from the corner, Fabregas flew into a 50/50 that left him limping badly.
Fabregas would not come out for the second half; medial ligament damage is likely to keep him out for 1-3 weeks according to the manager, yet could just as easily be
three months if Monday's scan shows something more serious.
With Fabregas replaced by Diaby, Wenger rotated the midfield. Nasri right, Diaby left and Denilson + Song central.
Liverpool opened the second half as they closed the first, with a Lucas strike from 20 yards needing to be pushed to safety from Almunia.
With Arsenal's playmaker gone, it was evident that Liverpool could smell blood, and it seemed Arsenal were more than happy to cut their own wrists. On 61, Adebayor
raised a high foot in the direction of Alvaro Arbeloa. No malice, but Adebayor's boot was nowhere near the ball, and having committed practically the same tackle in the first half 2 yellows =
red. Adebayor was off.
Harsh perhaps, but ironically the sending off worked in the Gunners favour. The crowd, who had been half asleep, were suddenly roused from their slumber bringing about a positive reaction from Arsenal's young midfield. Denilson and Song in particular raising the energy levels.
Wenger was going berserk at the fourth official, oblivious to the fact that he had just been given the perfect alibi to what was beginning to look like another dismal result.
Harsh perhaps, but ironically the sending off worked in the Gunners favour. The crowd, who had been half asleep, were suddenly roused from their slumber bringing about a positive reaction from Arsenal's young midfield. Denilson and Song in particular raising the energy levels.
Wenger was going berserk at the fourth official, oblivious to the fact that he had just been given the perfect alibi to what was beginning to look like another dismal result.
On 65, Van Persie booked for taking down Agger, then on 69 Sagna shown yellow for a reckless tackle on Alberto Riera. Arsenal scrapping for their lives, but giving the
ball away with equal ferocity. Liverpool didn't seem to know how to respond to Arsenal's dilemma.
On 79, a wild effort from Nasri flew over the bar, then on 83 Liverpool's El Zhar played a piercing through ball into the Arsenal area that Almunia had to sweep with his
legs. A super 30 yard strike from Agger 2 minutes later put a shadow on the crossbar, then on 89 a cross from the left was nodded 1 foot wide of Almunia's left-hand post by El Zhar - who
perhaps should have done better and won the game for the visitors.
On 91, Eboue replaced Nasri to cheers from the home support. Someone's feeling guilty.
On 91, Eboue replaced Nasri to cheers from the home support. Someone's feeling guilty.
And so the game finished all even. A draw being a fair result, but if Liverpool win the Premiership then there's something wrong with the Premiership. They're a dreary,
negative and mechanical football team that probably don't have the guts to go all the way.
As for Arsenal. A draw was of little use. Wenger predictably blamed Arsenal's failure to win on Adebayor's sending off, despite the fact that it changed the game in Arsenal's favour. The Gunners played much better having been lifted by a vociferous home crowd. Note to home crowd: be more vociferous.
At the end of the day, the stats tell the true story. Apart from Van Persie's slice of genius, Arsenal barely tested Reina for the entire ninety minutes and got what
they deserved, a point.
Aston Villa up next, but with Fabregas missing Arsenal are likely to find themselves 6 points adrift of the top 4 this time next week.
Almunia (6)
Made a couple of decent stops, and was pretty solid throughout - his kicking was bit off though.
Sagna (7)
Mr consistent.
Gallas (7)
Performed adequately, was less to blame for Liverpool's equaliser than Djourou.
Djourou (7)
Performed well despite his mistake that allowed Keane a clean run on goal.
Clichy (6)
Arsenal's weak defensive link today. He's had worse games though.
Denilson (6)
Worked hard, but little by way of creativity.
Song (6)
Put himself about to break up play, but too many stray passes as usual.
Fabregas (6)
Was quiet by his standards up until his injury late into the first half.
Nasri (7)
Performed fairly well and caused Liverpool some problems, but frequently disappeared from the match.
Adebayor (6)
Average performance. The two yellows were harsh because there was no malicious intent in the tackles, but paid a heavy price for his clumsiness.
Van Persie (9) STAR MAN
Apart from his wonder strike, Van Persie worked tirelessly for the entire 90 minutes. By far Arsenal's best player and probably the best player on the pitch.
SUBS
Diaby (4)
Gave the ball away constantly - terrible.
Made a couple of decent stops, and was pretty solid throughout - his kicking was bit off though.
Sagna (7)
Mr consistent.
Gallas (7)
Performed adequately, was less to blame for Liverpool's equaliser than Djourou.
Djourou (7)
Performed well despite his mistake that allowed Keane a clean run on goal.
Clichy (6)
Arsenal's weak defensive link today. He's had worse games though.
Denilson (6)
Worked hard, but little by way of creativity.
Song (6)
Put himself about to break up play, but too many stray passes as usual.
Fabregas (6)
Was quiet by his standards up until his injury late into the first half.
Nasri (7)
Performed fairly well and caused Liverpool some problems, but frequently disappeared from the match.
Adebayor (6)
Average performance. The two yellows were harsh because there was no malicious intent in the tackles, but paid a heavy price for his clumsiness.
Van Persie (9) STAR MAN
Apart from his wonder strike, Van Persie worked tirelessly for the entire 90 minutes. By far Arsenal's best player and probably the best player on the pitch.
SUBS
Diaby (4)
Gave the ball away constantly - terrible.
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