Arsenal v Liverpool second half review – Incredible match!

Wenger is forced to make a change as Monreal has a knock and Mustafi finally comes back but the game continues at full pace  and after 6 minutes Maitland-Niles gives the ball away in the Liverpool corner and Salah gets it back uickly and finally gets a goal with a deflection off Mustafi.  It looks like its all over but suddenly Sanchez is in the Pool penalty box and gets a header which goes through Mignolet’s legs. Game back on!

Wow! Just 3 minutes later Xhaka takes a pot shop from well outside the box which is spinning, and suddenly the Gunners are level. This game is amazing! Liverpools defence has been suspect all season and this has proved it…

Iwobi gets a booking for dragging Mane back and then we get another break and Lacazette backheels to Ozil and he chips it beautifully over the keeper and Arsenal have 3 goals in 10 minutes.

Arsenal need to tighten up at the back but it looks like there could be another 5 goals. Xhaka got lucky not to be booked and the game is looking like a ping pong match right now. 2-0 down to 3-2 up and can anyone keep up?

Another break from the Gunners and Ozil finds Lacazette but his very tough shot actually gets close. But Sane breaks at the other end and it is like a schoolboy match with 11 players chasing the ball from one end to the other. Arsenal need some discipline with 20 minutes to go, but is attack the first form of defence? For these two teams Yes!

And it is Liverpool’s turn to score. Firminho smacks the ball and although Cech gets his hands on it but he can’t stop it bouncing over in to the net. Jeez, This game is incredible! Please blow the whistle ref!

Liverpool now looking for the winner, but Arsenal still trying to break and that ball is flying from goal to goal. 15 minutes to go and both teams are tiring but anyone can win it. Alexis and Ozil combine to give Bellerin a shot but its tipped over by Mignolet.

Wenger is going for it and brings on Welbeck for Iwobi. Lacazette looks knackered and can’t keep the ball and now we need fresh legs to make an impact. Shame Giroud got injured or he would be coming on…..

Everyone is trying hard but there are more fouls coming in with tiredness but suddenly Salah is on his own in the box with four Arsenal players around but gets a shot against the side netting. With one minute to go Walcott comes on for Sanchez. He is trying to get past down the wing but no end yet as the ref gives a 4 minute extra time notice. Can Arsenal get the winner?

An incredible cross from Ozil nearly curves into the net but Mignolet gets to it. Arsenal are definitely on the front foot, but Liverpool carry on fighting but we are equal to it but both sides hold on…

An incredible match finally ends 3-3 and that is probably a fair result, especially as Arsenal were 2-0 down. Great entertainment!

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77 Comments

    1. That moment when you realise that Wenger has zero tactics..We could have closed shop at 3-2 and played for the win..

      1. Honestly I’m fed up of wenger
        By gift of mignolet error we equalise an they lose composure lacazette an ozil create the third an still we can’t defend for the win

        I’m utterly convinced wenger is the biggest problem..

        Top 4 is beyond our reach in my eyes

          1. We have not done in the last 5-7 years at least. We thought Steve Bould could help but he is another Wenger puppet. Need a manger that can built from the back
            Someone is a excellent option. Stop leaking goals and then we could be playing for a title.

          2. Oh just improve the defence you say. Well thats all right then eh? Done by a proper manager in two or three windows at most but made far worse by novice Wenger each year for the last decade? Face facts Quantic Dream, Wenger is incapable of improving defence. Have you been hiding in a cave this last decade!

    2. Great comeback, then a lack of defensive organization made it draw again. My opinion about the players:

      – Lacazette: An article here stated that he has playmaking skills, because he used to play as an attacking midfielder. I don’t see any playmaking skills in him so far and Liverpool played more effectively by using false nine strategy with Firmino, instead of using a real striker. But Lacazette created a great backheel assist that lead to Ozil’s goal.

      – Sanchez: He is still in Barcelona mode after all these years. He insists on making more touches when possessing the ball and I feel that most fans do not like him in this season because of this. Good determination, movements and creativity in this match.

      – Iwobi: One of Arsenal’s most skillful youngsters with great ball control. He should not be discouraged by unfair critics, but should be supported to play in more matches.

      – Ozil: Lost his ball possession many times, but great finish for Arsenal’s third goal.

      – Wilshere: Spirited and full of energy as usual.

      – Xhaka: Got many unfair critics lately, but he stayed strong and finally scored with a thunderous long shot, after so many attempts. His defending is bot good, but he is improving. He still has good skills and physique.

      – Maitland-Niles: It’s hard to believe that he is a natural right footer, because he is very good as a left fullback and very quick as well. Kolasinac has gotten a strong competitor.

      – Bellerin: He did okay, apart from some miscommunications. Still very fast and talented.

      – The central defenders: This department needs an upgrade.

      – Cech: Liverpool’s goals were not his mistake.

      1. Hahaha.Which game were you watching?I’ll give credit for fhe comeback and goals but defensively and even in attack especially the 1st half we were garbage.I strongly warned against not playing a defensive midfielder in this match and I believe we could’ve won had Coquelin started or come on when we were 3-2 up.The only real positive in this match is Maitland Nikes though at times I thought his positional sense was garbage.He stood his ground very well and defended very well in 1 v 1’s.The rest were average especially Xhaka,Iwobi,Bellerin,Cech and Sanchez.

        1. I thought Coquelin was injured? Xhaka was the defensive midfielder and he made some good tackles to win the ball.

          Mo Salah could not beat Maitland-Niles on one-on-one, but he worked with his teammate to score Liverpool’s second goal.

          I don’t think those players you mentioned had average game. Watch the game again, you will see who lost the ball a lot and did not track back to retain it.

          1. Iwobi was garbage AGAIN, no attack, no defense nothing but a waste of space. Where the hell has the flashy iwobi with mazy dribble who would try to unlock tight defence instead of sideways passes gone.
            P.s you are drunk or blind iwobi, alexis xhaka were horrible a goal does not cover such bad performance, ozil was man of the match, he was the only 1 except Niles trying all match.

            1. give maitland niles his due
              wenger tossed him in at the deep end against mo salah lol
              proud of him

              xhaka sanchez …consistently poor all season
              but of course never dropped

              luck smiled on wenger here – it wont this season..top 4 is out of reach im certain

              1. I don’t get it.Niles actually defended very well 1v1 against all the players he faced.He did well 1v1 vs Salah,Mane and Gomez.Nobody got joy out if him though Liverpool tried to exploit his side.This match goes on to confirm to me that he’s the real deal and should be played in his right position which is central midfield.His positional sense however was very poor and garbage at times.

            2. I hope Wenger listened to the general consensus’ idea about the “horrible” players you mentioned. I really want to see the effect if he benches all those players, then only use Ozil as a key player instead.

          2. Mo Salah was handled very well 1v1.In fact he didn’t get much joy out of Niles.Mo Salah is the kind of player who’ll never spare you in any 1v1 situation.It’s more of Niles doing well than Mo Salah choosing rather to work with his team mates.I watch Mo Salah very much and I know what I’m saying.Niles handled everyone at his side 1v1 very well but the thing is his positional sense was garbage especially in the first half.

            Coquelin is not injured and was even on the bench.People will call me stupid and call him average but I believe he can do very well if asked to sit back than rather to attack which his average at.Our midfield is so easy to penetrate hence the need to have started him.
            I repeat that Xhaka,Sanchez,Bellerin,Iwobi and Cech were average.Cech’s decision making and goal kicks were poor as usual and as for the rest they gave the ball away very easily and misplaced passes.

      2. If only Arsenal had a defensive midfielder as I mentioned when we were choosing our teams we could’ve won this match.People won’t see it but if Coquelin had started he would’ve made several interceptions to prevent some of the goals.

        1. I agree Coquelin has good defensive abilities as a DM. But I think he is injured and Wenger would have still chosen Xhaka over him, because Xhaka is taller and has good long passes.

          I still remember how the fans on this site were clamoring when Arsenal decided to buy Xhaka. Because he looked tall, strong and tough like Moussa Sissoko.

          1. Coquelin was on the bench.I repeat he wasn’t injured.This was a match made for him.He would’ve been racking up interceptions.People here think he’s average but I feel he’s being given a different role and not being utilised to his max potential due to tactics.

            1. I’ve ticked all your boxes Kev because you’re %100 right about Coquelin. Exactly what we needed, a disciplined, defensive, sitting in front of the back four, midfielder

    3. sanmi.marvellous

      Not a fair result for both, a very, very lucky result for us! Liverpool should been 4/5 up by the time Sanchez scored, and God knows how many other chances they had.

      Both defences were poor, but ours was absolutely shocking! It’s more to do with tactics than anything, but I hate seeing four at the back. Must return to a back three asap!

  1. oh what could have been, just hate giving up that final goal at home when you fought back… still could have been much worse

    1. True, I already gave up after the second goal; but at 3-2 there was only one thing to do be defensive, however I will take a draw

  2. It’s not an incredible match , it’s a pathetic one , Arsene Wenger has to get sacked immediately.

    1. Maybe Arsenal board are waiting till the end of this season, before hiring a new manager? It could be Arteta, Henry, Tuchel, Vieira, etc.

      I think many football managers are waiting for their chance to work at Arsenal, because they would have little pressure, long career and huge salary.

  3. Koscielny playing like an amateur… Used to be solid, now about as reliable as using tape to hold a house up. It seems like he doesn’t want to be on the plane with the France squad heading to the World Cup next summer.

  4. Clueless manager…After having taken the lead Wenger should have closed the game..Perfect time to take off Iwobi,Maitland Niles..And what does he do..he waits for Liv. to equalise..How did Iwobi complete 75 mins today..2 more points dropped at home..Gutted..

    1. Iwobi should never have played…. I’m gutted we didn’t come away with all 3 points. Always depressing when you let the lead go

      1. Iwobi has great close ball control, good pace and good stature. It looked like he was instructed to play more centrally, instead of using his pace and skills in the wings.

        A better manager could give him better guidance, to fulfill his potential.

          1. I don’t care if you fun around like a headless chicken and still able to make the simple pass and not give the ball away.However,when you run like a headless chicken and keep misplacing passes then we have a big problem.

        1. Absolute rubbish, he’s another one who shouldn’t be near the first team, unless there is real improvement he should be moved on.

  5. Poor performance overall even though it was a draw. Wonder who we take passing lessons from. Very poor midfield.

    1. The predictable and misplaced passes is the recurring problem that Arsenal still cannot fix, even after a decade. The players pass a lot, so there will be some mistakes, but Arsenal could minimize it if they get more technical players and create better training programme.

      Guardiola seems to know how to make his team passes a lot but with only a few mistakes. Barcelona players are very used to creating more touches when possessing the ball and creating a lot of creative passes.

  6. Wow both teams have problems, all I know is City are going to destroy us when they visit.

    We need coq alongshore jack.

    Sanchez must just leave.

    Kolasinaic must have done something to anger Wenger.

    Iwobi that plays for Nigeria must be an imposter.

  7. The worst set of defending from both teams. Let me talk about the team I support.

    The defenders were all over the place..

    Sanchez and Xhaka scored but had a horrible game. Why is Xhaka still starting games after games?

    We are the worst team off the ball….we give other teams a chance once they are attacking us.

    Why is Sead not starting? Niles had a decent second Half though

    Wenger, what can I say?

    Good game for the neutrals but Terrible for me a fan.

    Liverpool are the winner here. Four points against us this season and they could have killed the game In the first half. Yes, we came back from two goals down which is a good feat but………..i have a lot to say but this feels like a DEFEAT

  8. So Arsene still hasn’t beaten Klopp since he’s been at Liverpool then. If only we’d held on to the lead….well anyway thanks Arsenal for growing some balls (in the 2nd half at least) lots of dream team points!!!

  9. Great game for the neutrals. This game shows why these two teams will be fighting for top four. They can both be brilliant but terrible in the same game. It was a fun game though, very entertaining. First half was terrible for us, we played so bad and the defence looked like they have never trained defensively. Mistakes from both goal keepers, honestly this game perfectly decribes why arsenal and liverpool can’t win the league.

  10. Is it any wonder that we only started playing once we went 0-2 down and there were boos ringing in the crowd..Then as soon as we take the lead we drop off again and let them back in the game..WENGER JUST LEAVE ALREADY..

      1. shame they didnt fight from minute one..after the humiliation of 4-0 at anfield- that not in inspiration enough?
        shame they relied on luck for those two chances liverpool could have buried in first half

        i will take a draw cos liverpool deserved the win..but at the back they are like us
        – a joke

        same old story

  11. Iwobi and xhaka have been absolutely shit in these last matches and still start. I would take walcott over this diva attitude iwobi all day. He looks like the sort of young players that only worked hard for a fat contract and goes missing after getting the money.
    Niles was very good again and why crazy wenger does not put him in his real position at Centre midfield for xhaka, he can defend, attack, has good workrate and an excellent attitude( did you see him scolding alexis). How wenger cannot see this, it is blatant sabotage or senile work by him.

    1. Alexis was shit but his talent paid dividend even with disgusting attitude. Ozil form for this season is phenomenal, he is doing everything even defending and throw-in, he should try gk. Dump alexis and xhaka in a bin in Jan and give ozil the contract he deserves. He is working his socks off.
      Also good adaptability by lacazette again, was getting beaten down by cbacks 1St half, switch tactics and become a good target man/relay hybrid for others in 2nd half.

      1. Maybe Wenger would bench Sanchez and let’s see the effect. If I were Wenger, I will never do that, but I think Wenger would succumb to the demand of the angry mob.

  12. seems that once we achieve the lofty heights of 4th premier league place we struggle to get any more momentum – a concerted effort to replenish the obvious weakness we have in our side would go some way to rectify the inefficiencies we clearly have… but will we add to the squad in winter? i think we all know what happens come january… sweet fa

  13. So Pool trashes us at home and we barely get away witha point at home. That’s Wengers idea of success.

    Cech might have saved few shots today but he failed at every single goal today.

    First one, just stay at your line and you have a chance.

    Second one, no pace in the shot, defenders in front. Positioned like a donkey.

    Third one, well needs no explanation.

    World class goalkeeper could have saved 10 points this season but Cech is not even top 15 anymore.

    Bad news is he’s here for a loooong time.

  14. I was gonna come on here to smash xhaka for his useless passes and continuous loss of balls and bad defending, but I cant do that now 😉 ..impressed with Niles. And yea ppl saying ‘il take the draw’, yep it’s what we’ve come to. An often losing team will always be happy to take the draw.

  15. Imagine if we had started with Kolsanic and Mustafi.

    Im still shocked at the result. I think its more like Wenger got lucky than him being a genius lol. Our players played really really well despite the starting lineup decision

    1. Wenger had nothing to do with the comeback. All thanks to the players.

      Escaping with a draw at home is a success for specialist in mediocrity.

      We can kiss the top 4 goodbye. I just want Wenger gone. Man’s like an open book.

    1. I thought it was a brilliant game. Obviously you dont enjoy watching great football. You are a glory hunter young man….

      1. It was an exiting game for the neutral but a very poor game in terms of quality, especially defending. In a way it highlights the Premier league; the most exciting league in the world but a long, long way from beig the best.

      2. What on earth is wrong with you? A real fan wants a team that fights , every week , and for the whole game. Why are you so satisfied with this hopeless defence
        kamikazi game, unless as I suspect, you are a neutral. A real fan knows we deserve better. Why don’t you? Care to answer?

  16. Arsenal…wad can I say..Burnley v consided jes 12 goals. but jes look at our back line..mustafi is jes ova hype.. average club…xhaka?? m tired of this guy

  17. Do we have a Manager? Do we have someone who teaches these players how to pass, not to give the ball away, how to defend, and how to be serious when they are on the field of play? I doubt cus I keep seeing the same mistakes and attitude match after match. It’s as if No one is teaching these players anything at all. The early Wenger and his backroom stuff leave our club the better and the safe for all of us. We have become a joke of a team. Very sad though.

    1. The only thing worse than a joke team, which we are, is a joke club run by amateurs who know nothing and care even less. An owner who is more invisible than the Loch Ness Monster and about as interested in winning, a manager who disrespects and ignores the whole concept of defence(oh for GEORGE GRAHAM) and a chairman who openly admits to preferring horse racing and a chief exec(Gazidis) who is a snake and inveterate liar . You will never get a team who fight and are passionate with this ludicrous excuse for a manager . He belongs in a care home for the senile and bewildered.

  18. Let’s sell Sanchez and get Wilfred Saha from CP. Keep Ozil and get him motivated with great signings around him. We could me a “monster” team next season…starting from January though.

  19. The only proud thing about this match was coming back from 2 goals down to take a lead. Our defending is atrocious, monkeys could do a better job. This game was perfect for Coquelin, mustafi & welbeck. When you are playing against the front 4 of Liverpool, you need to defend from the front. Coquelin is one of our best tacklers & interceptors whereas Monreal is too slow for Salah, Mane & firminho. Welbeck is very good at pressing from the front & he would have helped unsettle the Liverpool backline. Anyway, too bad I’m not paid £10m/yr to do a shity job. If this is what the 2yr extension was for, brace yourselves for a rough, disappointing & frustrating ride.

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