Arsenal came back empty handed from their trip to Merseyside on Sunday, losing by the odd goal against Arne Slot’s men. Dominik Szoboszlai’s outrageous free-kick was the deciding factor in an otherwise uneventful affair as both sides cancelled each other out for much of the encounter.
Mikel Arteta’s game plan was evident even prior to kick-off. The starting midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino suggested a pragmatic approach. The idea was to be physical for as long as possible before introducing the likes of Eberechi Eze and Martin Ødegaard to push for a decisive blow. The plan almost came to fruition, but it became apparent that either a costly error or a moment of magic was going to win it. Unfortunately for Arsenal, the latter was true for Liverpool and following the encounter, Slot gave his honest assessment.
Slot: ‘Normally a draw’
Speaking to the media, as reported by Liverpool FC, the manager admitted there was little between the two sides and suggested the game should have ended level. He said:
“Yeah. If we play this game 10 times more in the same fashion then I think it’s eight times a draw, we win it one time and Arsenal wins it one time because it was an uneventful game, which is sometimes positive as well because both teams were really good in rest defence and in defending. But, I think normally Arsenal and us are able to create more chances during a game, but it tells you also something about the structure and the amount of discipline both teams have without the ball. Then you need a moment of magic, which we got from Dominik, and that resulted in us winning a game that, like I just said, normally would have ended in a draw.”
Arteta’s approach under the microscope
The fine margins went against the Gunners, but Arteta did not cover himself in glory, neither with his starting line-up nor his substitutions. The midfield trio lacked a creative force and it was evident for much of the contest. The introduction of new recruit Eberechi Eze and Martin Ødegaard could have come sooner, especially as Arsenal surrendered more control in the second half.
Ultimately the most frustrating part for supporters will be that the team seemingly played for a draw.
What are your thoughts on Slot’s honest assessment, Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
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This article will get all the pro Arteta posters even more on side. It’s be a case of, see the Liverpool boss said that Arsenal were unlucky to lose.
It’s easy to be gracious after winning. But it doesn’t change the fact that Arteta once again persists with his slow side to side passing game that gets us absolutely nowhere.
We’ve got Eze, Nwaneri on the bench. And he chooses three defensive midfielders. Before the game I’m reading comments like we need to make a statement in this game.
Well can anyone tell me what statement this game sent out, and it’s not a positive one I can tell you that. 🤦♂️
Surprised none as picked up on Rayas after match interview about the new ball .
Those pro Arteta fan boys should be having a field day with that one – still time for David and his crew to bring that up on the next Article 😂
So, if any fan doesn’t agree with all the negativity, they are seen as “pro Arteta” then?
Let’s just ignore the fact that what Slot is saying, was actually happening, because it doesn’t fit the “anti Arteta” side of things shall we?
What he’s saying is that, until the 83rd minute, the game was destined for a draw and it would take one moment of brilliance to win the game.
8 times out of ten it wouldn’t happen and, when it did, it could have been either pool or Arsenal who scored it.
He’s not questioning the selection of the team, or who was on the bench, he’s stating what he saw as the game unfolded.
That’s the problem here, whatever side of the fence one sits, one don’t take the time to actually digest what’s being said or written.
One jumps on anything that seems to challenge their views and takes the actual quotes completely out of context.
Slot saw exactly the same game that I watched and whether Arteta got his selections right or wrong has nothing to do with him.
Ken1945,
And there you have it, the game was heading for a draw. As has been said Arteta was trying not to lose rather than trying to win.
But ken, wouldn’t we require 19 shots on goal instead of one to test that theory?🤣🤣🤣
Could anyone Imagine our own manager saying what slot said ?
We would have to win it first, for him to do that🤣
That’s a very good point well made Mr R 😂
Of course it was heading for a draw, as that was the case in the 82nd minute.
So are you saying that Slot was trying not to lose, rather than trying to win?
That was to Derek.
No Ken1945,
Slot was trying to win, as the screamer into the top left hand side proved. 🤔
So now it’s a screamer and not the keepers fault?!
That was in the 83rd minute, playing at Anfield, with all our attacking players on the bench, while Arteta got his selection wrong from the very first minute, shouldn’t have relied on Saliba to tell him the truth, played Martinelli who couldn’t skin a rabbit, while we were set up not to lose, it seems and yet….. it took 83 minutes to
break down this shambles?!
Why do you think it took that long Derek?
Ken1945,
Firstly the goal was a screamer, but I stand by my view that Raya should still have saved it.
The Saliba one I’ve already answered. And as for his line-up, unless you’ve not noticed I’m not the only one who’s questioned Arteta’s starting 11. The fact that it took Liverpool 83 minutes to score, doesn’t change that Arteta went their not to lose rather than go there for the win.
So you’ll ignore every view from the pros, including Joe Hart the ex England and city115 keeper?
Fine.
The Saliba incident you put down to Arteta.
In case you hadn’t noticed, I also disagreed with the starting eleven.
The fact that it took pool 83 minutes to score, shows that both teams were on a equal level and, as their manager says, a draw would have been a fair result eight times out of ten.
He also said it would only have been a moment of magic to have won the game and this time it was pool.
But, of course, you don’t believe what the professionals say and carry on blaming Arteta.
Good for you.
For Ken
Good to speak to you and that you are in form.
My own view is that both teams were cautious in the Ist half.
When Liverpool saw that there was no change in tactics or personnel in the 2nd half from us they went for it a little bit more roared or by their crowd.
I would say they deserved the points for the positive mentality which we only had when we went a goal down.
roared *on* not or
Good to speak with you again Indian Gunner!!
A succinct description of the first half.
I refer you back to Slot’s quote, where he said eight times out of ten the game would have ended in a draw…. now imagine if Arteta had said that if we were playing at home for a start!!
Up till seven minutes from the end, he was expecting a draw and yet, reading the comments from the usual Arteta out brigade, we had been outplayed, outhought and rolled over!!
I was surprised by his starting eleven and would have chosen Odegaard and Eze over Merino and Martinelli, but that is just my opinion.
Our mentality, coming to the home of the PL champions, was not to lose and I see nothing wrong in that.
People saying they were there for the taking – why?
When has ANY liverpool team, playing at Anfield, be “there for the taking?”
Such arrogant nonsense.
For Ken
I agree with the arrogant nonsense comment.
I actually am probably the only person who felt the starting 11 was correct.
Going cautious and sizing up opponents is the right thing to do. They both sized each other up.
I felt they sized us up better after the break than our sizing up of them. They went for it with a more pro-active approach whereas we still stayed negative until we went a goal behind. Had we gone for a pro-active approach, we might have seen a different reaction from them.
My problem was the in-game management. You have to take risks sometimes.
Let’s check – did he say anything like that after our wins against manure and Leeds 🤔🤔
That was for Reggie and DK
You tell us ken, what he said.
No mate, your the one who’s saying we have to win games first, forgetting that we actually had won two.
So I’m following up your statement and asking you what he said.
Yoy asked the question?
No, you said we would have to win a game first, before we would know if he would say anything like that and I said we had won two games, so check it out for yourself.
No, win THE game on Sunday?
That is what this article is about.
Arteta simply set up his team for a draw.Arsenal played a negative game and got punished to for it by a team who wanted more.Lets not forget that Liverpool have conceded four goals in two games , anyone in their to right mind would expect arteta to field a nbr ten who can exploit Liverpools defensive frailties but he didn’t.He got cocky and wanted to do something extra ordinary.