Evening Gooners! It’s been a little just over a day since Arsenal dropped two points at home to Liverpool, how are we all feeling? I’ve tried to see the positives in the whole thing as far as I could, but like most Arsenal fans, my mind keeps wondering to what it would be like if we’d have turned up and done the business. 8 points clear on the same games would have been some position to be in, yet I don’t think we can complain too much.
In little over a week ago, we were 2 points clear and being having to win back top spot every time Manchester City played before us, which is not ideal. Fast forward a few days and City have dropped points on three occasions and we’ve taken advantage of 2, to open up that 6 point lead. One of the big regrets from last season, was that every time Liverpool dropped points, it felt like we never took advantage, to close the gap. Whereas on the other hand, Liverpool always seemed to jump at the chance to extend their lead when others dropped points, which ultimately led to them winning the league at a canter.
It was therefore a really important to change that this season and when we were given a break, make sure we take it. I think this is the only time that Arsenal haven’t done that, so I don’t want to be too critical. It’s more the actual performance on the day that is the biggest disappointment.
Such a dull game
On the game itself, it was dull wasn’t it? It was such a disappointing performance from Arsenal, especially second half. Passing was truly awful and our big performers just didn’t turn up. We went over 40 minutes without a shot on goal, that just isn’t good enough.
Liverpool deserve credit though, they set up well and without strikers, they decided to just put another midfielder in place of a traditional striker and we never found a way to get past them. When watching the game, it felt like Liverpool dominated us in the second half yet a look back over the stats and you realise that they didn’t have a single shot on target. Don’t get me wrong, that’s still not enough for Arsenal, they needed to also offer something at the other end, but I can’t see why Arteta was so keen to lean into the stat. It’s pretty impressive.
In terms of an attacking perspective, in a weird way it made me think about our game away at City last year when we played the second half with 10 men. It’s not something that I like to recall as it was a game that ended so painfully, yet the defensive masterclass that Arsenal put on during that second half was absolutely outstanding. Despite playing away at the Champions, with one player less, we limited City to the odd chance here and there and were unlucky not to come away with three points in the end. My point is, it just goes to show what a top team can do to another team when they set their mind to just shut up shop and keep them out. Just saying, I think that’s worth noting.
Martinelli rubbish
One of the worst things to come out of the Liverpool game, aside the obvious disappointment surrounding the result, was the reactions to Gabriel Martinelli’s admittedly poor actions following Connor Bradley’s injury. It didn’t look good, let’s be honest. Bradley had clearly suffered a quite serious looking injury and despite his obvious attempts to make sure he remained on the pitch for his treatment, trying to move him off the pitch by force, what the wrong thing to do.
The whole thing hinges on whether or not you believe Gabriel Martinelli knew how serious the injury was and decided to try and drag Bradley off anyway. For someone who has watched Martinelli for the past 6 years and seen his overall temperament and how he interacts with fellow players both on and off the pitch, I can safely say that this was not the case. It was an error in judgement, for which he apologised for and has apparently spoken to the player behind the scenes to pass on his apologies as well. Liverpool Manager Arne Slot spoke very well after the game and showed a level head and a lot of class and just downplayed the whole thing and commented, as most rational people would do, that Martinelli must have thought that Bradley was time-wasting.
Now let’s flip over into an alternate universe for a couple of minutes where you work for Skysports and your whole job is around saying something dramatic to get as many clicks as possible to validate your role as stater of the obvious and all round waste of space. Gary Neville’s reaction was absolutely ridiculous and although the first apology of the evening rightly came from Gabriel Martinelli, I think the second should come from Neville. It was all very poor and unprofessional, I completely understand being disappointing with Martinelli’s actions and he rightly criticised him. However, to go on and on about it, minutes later, and how the Liverpool players should take a red card and punch Martinelli was just bizarre. Even from a Skysports point of view, mute him or something!! The transmission is going out to literally millions of people and your representative is advocating that kind of behaviour against fellow professionals. Do something!! That’s without digging into the sort of things Gary Neville’s teammates have done over the years, and Neville himself!! Talk about double standards. Speaking of ex-teammates of Neville who did unspeakably things to fellow professionals and then bragged about it in their autobiography, let’s head back to the studio and get Roy Keane’s view on the whole thing….
Still waiting for an update on Hincapie
Another blow to come out of the Liverpool game was the sight of Piero Hincapie limping from the field in the second half. The Ecuadorian has performed, I’d say reasonably well, in he absence of Riccardo Calafiori. I’m still not wholly convinced with some of his defensive work, as I think he can be a bit rash and has a tendency to swift off at times. It’s the position that Hincapie is currently occupying that is causing the biggest problem though. With Calafiori still not fit and Myles Lewis-Skelly’s form being a bit patchy this season, it’s an area where we feel really short, so let’s hope there’s some good news on that front soon.
Great news on Bukayo Saka
Finally, let’s end on some good news. Rumour has it that Bukayo Saka is due to sign a new contract in the coming days to extend his stay at Arsenal until 2031. That is fantastic news for everyone involved with the club. I don’t think his form this season has been scintillating, but Saka’s quality is undeniable and he is a clear leader in this group now. Let’s hope he can celebrate his new contract by pushing on from here, finding his top form once again and helping Arsenal win some of the top, top trophies this season. Great news.