ARSENAL VS LIVERPOOL: A BETTER DAY AT THE OFFICE Exactly 8 days ago, Liverpool thrashed Arsenal at Anfield;5-1, with four of those goals coming in the first 20 minutes, to not only cut Arsenal’s lead at the top, but also to threaten their entire campaign with derailment. I called it a “bad day at the office” and in truth there was justification for that. Arsenal had the league’s best defense heading into that match, yet were a goal down with less than 60 seconds on the clock and from that moment nothing went right as Liverpool exposed them time after time for much of the entire 90 minutes. A thoroughly bad day of football for Arsenal and their fans. The point behind remembering that performance is to highlight that,as bad as things went for them on that day, their FA Cup fifth round tie against the same team, provided a case study of how football will always possess the ability to surprise even the most diehard and cynical of football followers, as a week after putting in what was without a doubt, their worst performance of the campaign, the Arsenal responded with a totally contrasting performance and unlike the previous encounter, this time, everything (and really I do mean everything )went in their favor. As Martin Tyler put it, “what a difference a week can make”. Start with Fabianski in goal who probably had his best ever performance in an Arsenal shirt. He was quick, smart, decisive in coming off his lines, (severally) in complete control of his space and constantly communicating with his defenders. His saves were world class and there were enough of those to suggest that the Pole is indeed right to be looking for first team football elsewhere in the summer. And when he was beaten to the ball by Agger in the dying minutes of the game, there was enough of lady luck with him so that what seemed a certain goal drifted wide of the post. A good day at the office for the him and likewise, the same for the back four. Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscienly and Monreal all put in massive shifts yesterday. They led from the back with a determination, doggedness and never say die mentality that would eventually leave the Liverpool attack frustrated. A total contrast to last week when the Reds had so much joy against the same setup. In the midfield Arteta showed that if he is to be the best that he can be, then best to make sure that he has Flamini by his side. Together, they were a wall of strength and guile in front of the back four while they also stayed connected to the attack throughout the game. Balance they provided in ample measure and were truly a class act. Of the strike force of Ozil, Podolski, The Ox and Sanogo, good things can be said of their performance. Chamberlain showed with a goal, an assist and certainly the best attacking performance from the gunners that in him, Arsenal still have pace in the squad without Theo Walcott and England with Roy Hodgson will be watching him till the World Cup arrives. Yaya Sanogo made his first start for the Gunners, and the 21 year old was clearly unfazed by the occasion with a very decent performance that suggests that Arsenal might not be as short in the striking department as people have been quick to point out. Certainly it says a lot that despite just returning from injury,Wenger still chose to start him rather than go with Bendtner. It should be interesting to watch him play against teams with less quality than Liverpool.As for Ozil, he continued to make improvements in his overall game since being found out at Anfield and this game also followed the same trend. Certainly still far from his best, but any Arsenal fan will accept that the German is putting in a effort.Wenger called Lucas Podolski one of the best finishers in his squad and the first time strike by the player for Arsenal’s second goal was a confirmation. The penalty conceded, not such a good finish but strikers have never made good defenders. Overall, a game in which Arsenal applied themselves from the start. But to be honest, it cannot be ignored that Liverpool could have been 2-0 ahead, in the first 5 minutes or that Howard Webb (a referee who will never be accused of having a fond place in Arsenal hearts) turned down a very obvious penalty for Louis Suarez after Chamberlain clattered into him; though it’s likely that Suarez overreacting as though he had been hit by a danfo driver, just minutes after winning an earlier penalty reminded Webb of Suarez’s reputation and that soured him on the idea of giving the striker 2 penalties; or that somehow Suarez missed chance after chance to get a goal over the course of 90 minutes in open play; whatever the reason for Liverpool being unable to breach the Arsenal goal apart from Steven Gerard penalty conversion, it is acceptable to think that after a day at Anfield when absolutely nothing when right for Arsenal, there had to be a game in which everything would go in their favor; that the game would be against the same Liverpool side, suggests that over time, football has always had a way of evening things out . In overcoming the Reds and advancing to the 6th round of the FA Cup, Arsenal has done themselves a world of good. The ghosts of the Anfield nightmare are laid to rest while the psychological boost from the victory should hold them in good standing for the visit of Champions League holders, Bayern Munich. A daunting task, one in which it is fair to say that Arsenal need to be even more prepared; as hard, fast and committed that Liverpool were, Bayern, it is safe to say will, be a gear or two more ruthless and dangerous. Still not to detract from the FA Cup, Arsenal have stopped the rot (as they have this season after every setback) and continue to compete with real grit, both mental and physical on three fronts. Cheers.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:59:44 +0000
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