ARSENAL 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL
Match Report
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Kick-off: 17:30
Arsenal:
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Frimpong, Ramsey, Nasri, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin
Subs: Fabianski, Miguel, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lansbury, Miyachi, Chamakh, Bendtner
Liverpool:
Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Downing, Adam, Henderson, Lucas, Kuyt, Carroll
Subs: Doni, Skrtel, Flanagan, Meireles, Maxi, Spearing, Suarez
So that didn't go to plan did it, or was it a case of the cracks growing even bigger? Yet another display of hanging on as Liverpool dominated us for a large section of the first half. It was a more even affair in the second half.
From the moment Koscielny went off injured, we had to rely on the young U-21 Spaniard, Ignasi Miguel, which I think he gave a good account of himself. I was at Underhill on Monday for Arsenal vs Manchester United reserves, which we won 2-1, and he looked like he could take the step up.
The last twenty minutes of the match was the most decisive in our downfall. Emmanuel Frimpong was one of our better player on the day and he was energetic, but his lack of experience on his debut proved to be his downfall after picking up two yellow cards, to get sent off at a critical part of the game (too many players suspended and injured now). This now showed our lack of squads strength in depth as Henri Lansbury came on for Arshavin, who looked quite disinterested as usual and was poor all game.
The goal came about by our own lack of luck as Miguel managed to hit the ball against an oncoming Ramsey and the ball looped over Szczesny. From that point I couldn't see Arsenal getting back in the game as there was no cohesion between the midfield and defense to create any chances. The second goal from Liverpool didn't take long as substitutes Meireles and Suarez combined to make it 2-0 and finish the game off.
The positives we can take from the game are the performances of Vermaelen who should have been given the 'Man of the Match' by Sky Sports, instead they give it to Jose Enrique, which we were linked with. But Vermaelen showed what we missed last season and we forget how much a great defender he is. If we had a proper first team out rather than Arsenal youth we could've nicked a win maybe, but a draw seemed most fair, however we got neither.
Another positives were that the fans saying "Arsenal, Arsenal " over those minority of fans chanting "spend some f****** money". We still back Wenger, I certainly do, but only to the extent he actually does spend some money, but it wouldn't be wise for us to sack him , or for him to walk out on the club.
This has been a tough week, and the matches away to Udinese on Wednesday in the Champions League and Manchester United on Sunday prove to be another very tough week. Wednesday will make or break our season in terms of signing players.
