Arsenal missed the chance to go 8 points clear in the title race at home to Liverpool tonight after putting in a truly woeful performance, completely unfit for the occasion. In terms of the table it is 2 points dropped however, it could easily have been all three that Arsenal missed out on with Liverpool looking the more dangerous side all evening and even striking the crossbar in the first half.
Arsenal got in behind well on a couple of occasions in the first half, once or twice from Saka and also from Trossard, and despite the good play that preceding these opportunities, the final ball was ultimately lacking and we never tested Alisson all game.
That’s all there is to say really, as it was an awful advert from the Premier League as a spectator sport as the teams ultimately cancelled each other out.
David Raya – 6
Nearly got into a mix-up with Saliba at one stage, but he was a bystander for the vast majority of the game. I can’t think of a single save that he made. Can’t even think of a dangerous cross that he came and claimed either. Distribution wasn’t the best, as he went long far too often, although Liverpool’s high press and the conditions probably dictated to that.
Jurrien Timber – 7
One of the better performers on the day. Was dangerous in behind a couple of times in the first half, although we didn’t see any of that after the break, aside from a lovely piece of centre forward play to bring Madueke into the game. Defensively sound, did well against fellow Dutchman Gakpo, who is a handful.
William Saliba – 7 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Probably deserves higher than an 8, but with such an poor all-round team performance, I don’t think I can go over a 7 on anyone. Got away with a bad mix-up with Raya in the first half where his poor back pass could have cost us the game. Recovered well though and was usually assured self at the back and always seemed in control. On the ball, I think he was our best player, which says more about our midfield than Saliba, however, I thought the Frenchman was always trying to do something to make something happen, even found himself on the overlap on occasion and even late in the game he was taking a few risks to try and get us up the pitch. Was a leader out there, in a team that was lacking that this evening.
Gabriel – 7
Similar to Saliba from a defensive point of view, he seemed to be in control in pretty much every phase and nothing got passed him. Lost a few headers which is a bit unusual and was not able to make an impact from set pieces. In possession, he wasn’t quite as forced as Saliba although he probably had nearly as many touches, as he tried to get the team up the pitch.
Piero Hincapie – 6
Did OK. Kept Frimpong relatively quiet down his side and the Ecuadorian used his pace well to scamper back on the couple of instances where the Liverpool winger seemed to be through. Offered nothing in attack, although Trossard never passes to him, so that’s not really on Hincapie. Went off with a worrying looking injury.
Martin Zubimendi – 6
Felt like he was overrun at times and failed to stamp his authority on the game. Lost countless duels and actually got in the way of probably our most dangerous attack. A night to forget for the Spaniard as he wasn’t able to exert his usual influence on proceedings. One nice into Timber was a highlight. Not enough of that though.
Declan Rice – 5
Worse performance in an Arsenal shirt? It was that bad. I’m sure this is wrong, but it felt like he lost every single duel and was second to every loose ball, which is the exact opposite of the Declan Rice we’re used to seeing. Was he carrying an injury? The only logical explanation for this performance. I really didn’t like how he kept passing the ball off to our centre halves and asking them to do something with it. Our midfielder should be taking charge in those situations. Had one decent run and cross, but even his set pieces were poor tonight. Maybe it’s his brother?! I did read somewhere he has a brother.
Martin Odegaard – 6 Ineffectual. Pressed like a mad-man at times and really led from the front on that side of things, yet he never once looked like opening Liverpool open. They were sat very deep at times to be fair. Also loose in possession at times as well. A clear drop-off from his recent good form.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Really threatening early on, as he threatened to get in behind every time he got the ball. Went passed two Liverpool players brilliantly to get to the byline, with the final ball then letting him down. Had a couple of sighters as well, yet failed to really test Alisson. Faded badly in the second half and should have come off about 10-15 minutes earlier.
Viktor Gyokeres – 4
Another player who put in one of his worse performances in an Arsenal shirt, although the Swede doesn’t have that many good games in the bank to offset his poor showing. Failed to link the play, barely touched the ball, didn’t win a single duel, never got close to any of the dangerous crosses into the box. Starting to wonder if he was actually playing…
Leandro Trossard – 5
I think the ‘Trossard-cycle’ needs to start again, as his place in the team no longer looks as secure as it did a few weeks ago. Was uncharacteristically careless in possession and lost the ball in dangerous areas, which led to him having to take a booking to stop a Liverpool counter. A few snap shots here and there, but never troubled the Liverpool goal. On another day, he may also have given away a penalty so I think I’m quite generous giving him a 5 if I’m honest.
Subs:
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6 – I really worried for him up against Frimpong, but I thought he actually did okay, bar maybe one time the winger got away from him. Struggled to build up an understanding with Martinelli ahead of him although I do think Lewis-Skelly actually looked better going forward than in previous outings, which is a small plus in an otherwise relatively negative night.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5 – I was screaming for his introduction, but after seeing what he offered in the 25-30 minutes he was on the pitch, I feel a bit silly now. He did beat Bradley a couple of times and generally looked quite lively/worked hard however, his decision making and end product really let him down tonight.
Gabriel Jesus – 5 – Another substitute who failed to grab his chance. Was an improvement on Gyokeres, but got little change out of Konate and Van Dijk. I was a bit let down by his work rate though. As a sub I expecting to see him tearing around the pitch chasing everything that moved, but he was jogging for the most part.
Eberechi Eze – 5 – Nice to see him step off the bench and had a few good touches. Was probably brought on a little too late as he didn’t really have time to make a telling impact in his 12 minute appearance.
Noni Madueke – 6 – Similar to Eze, but he saw a bit more of the ball and worried Kerkez every time he ran at him. Another who should have been on a bit earlier.
Final note – boring. Yawn. What a boring game football looks when it is played like this!!