Arsene Wenger confounded everyone by changing to a 4-2-4 system which must have left Jurgen Klopp scratching his head. We were expecting a fast game and after 10 minutes it proved too fast for Jordan Henderson who tried chasing Mesut Ozil and pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by James Milner.
Arsenal were defending in numbers and trying to hit the Reds on the break and Liverpool were attacking quickly and trying to get behind Arsenal’s too-solid defence. It was end-to-end stuff and it looked like goals are guaranteed. Maitland-Niles seems to be doing well against Mo Salah, but the speed of the game is making for some loose sloppy passes as both sides try to look for a way through. A lot of long balls into the box are going straight to the keeper at both ends…
Iwobi was giving the ball away too much last week and he seems to be carrying on that form but at least he is involved in the action but after 20 minutes I’m still waiting to see Alexis Sanchez to get involved. Cech is dealing with everything that comes into the box with aplomb and the Gunners are throwing everything on the break. Finally Alexis gets the ball on the wing and with Lacazette gets close to the goal, but immediately Liverpool have their best chance of the game but Cech is equal to it.
A great move down the wing sees Iwobi near the line but his centre goes to no-one yet again, but suddenly Salah is on his own against Koscielny. He tries to cross and it bounces off Koss and falls nicely to Coutinho who glances a perfect header over Petr Cech and Arsenal are 1-0 down and chasing the game. Liverpool’s counter attack is deadly yet again.Arsenal are going all out for the equalizer and Liverpool are keeping up the tempo and the quick passes are going just about anywhere with the speed of the game on the half hour mark.
Firmino sees a shot go inches over and Arsenal could have been 2-0 down but we survive and carry on. It is scary how fast this game is and how can they last another hour? Mane then gets a brilliant chance from a freekick behind the defence but couldn’t get the volley right. Another goal goes begging and I’m struggling to keep up! Wow!
The ball is flying from end to end again and yet again Salah gets off down the wing and when Koss slips he is through but Cech somehow blocksand Mane’s scissor kick is over the bar. The two combine again a minute later and Salah misses an easy shot again. The game is full of mistakes but all the chances are going to the visitors. We need half time to come without conceding again as everyone looks tired right now. Arsenal keep trying but not really get close to a goal before the whistle blows. At half time it looks like Wenger is the most worried man as it is yet another counter attack that Liverpool love that gives them the advantage. It should be 0-3 by now but we are still in with a chance in the second half if we get our act together …
I’m wishing right now…
Admin