'Spellbinding' is probably the perfect word to describe the hugely entertaining draw between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates earlier today. While the build up was literally being hyped about the Gunners' chance to shorten United's lead at the top and Liverpool's ongoing battle for European spots, the match itself proved to be a real justification for several issues regarding the clubs.
Both teams came into the game with two different aims and targets but little did we know that they also came into the match with two different tactics and intentions. Nevertheless, Live Soccer analyzes five things that we all learnt after the heart pounding draw at the Emirates.
1. Arsenal Definitely Lack The Killer Mentality
We have often discussed the lack of physical attributes among the players with Arsenal (click here) and how they tend to pass and pass till the game literally ends. This has been a major cause of their decadence in this season so far.
Just a few days ago Patrick Vieira spoke about how Arsenal do not finish off teams with their abilities and it was just absolutely justified today. The Gunners were in control of possession for most of the match, especially in the first half. Basically, their focal point of attack in the first half was Theo Walcott and to be frank, the Englishman looked out of sorts throughout his poor appearance today.
There is this one simple attitude in Arsene Wenger's men that most of the times lets them down. They always seek to attack and break teams down through the middle- something that never looked like reaping any sort of rewards for prolonged period of the clash against Liverpool.
Despite having a majority of the ball, they basically failed to make it count in the final third where they kept on crumbling under pressure from the Liverpool defenders as a result of their poor policy of attacking through the midfield.
2. Liverpool Have A Very Reliable Source Of Young Talent
After an impressive performance against Manchester City last time around, John Flanagan's inclusion was rather advocated although he was the only option they had. The Liverpool reserve right back was equally impressive again tonight as he battled throughout the match, defending against the likes of Samir Nasri and Andrei Arshavin. But there was also another teenager that caught a lot of eyes out there today. Jack Robinson was brought on as a replacement for the injured Fabio Aurelio and didn't he cause hell for Theo Walcott in the first half?
As we mentioned, Arsenal's obvious focal point of attack in the first half was Theo Walcott but a massive chunk of reasons behind his ineffective display for the Gunners was down to the impeccable resilience of Robinson. Young Jack was down there all alongside Walcott throughout the match and such huge was his influence that Walcott was even substituted in the second half to accommodate the bigger physical presence of Nicklas Bendtner.
This is not the first time that Liverpool have succeeded in implementing some of their youth academy products. Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing- who was outstanding earlier today, are the obvious examples to the success of their youth academy in recent times. While their talent has always been there for the taking, it's their massive vivacity that genuinely captures the attention of many.
3. Pepe Reina's Importance To The Reds Is Absolutely Irrefutable
After all, Spain do have a rich talent of goalkeepers in their ranks. Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina, David De Gea. How many times have we seen Reina come to the rescue of the Reds. Well today was another showcase of his overwhelming abilities that at many times, kept Liverpool intact with a chance in the match against Arsenal.
While there were some clumsy incidents involving Pepe Reina in the first half, with the unexplainable mistake that nearly allowed Van Persie to capitalize although his momentum pushed the ball out of play, Reina overall performances today was absolutely magnificent.
Probably the most significant save was the one on one situation with Van Persie as the Dutchman looked set to give Arsenal the much wanted lead. However, the Spaniard made himself big on the edge of the six yard box and saved his shot before returning back to his goals to comfortably catch another rebound shot from Nicklas Bendtner.
There have been several rumors regarding his unhappiness at Anfield although Kenny Dalglish has denied any truth in it. King Kenny is already aiming big for next season and Pepe Reina will definitely be a key aspect of his future plans.
4. Andrei Arshavin Has To Be Deployed In A Central Role
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Andrei Arshavin was signed with much expectations after his sumptuous performance for Russia in the EURO 2008. But one point everybody fails to see here is that the Russian plays as a striker cum attacking midfielder for his national side.
We all witnessed how the Russian can bring devastating effects to opposition defenders when he plays in a more central role. Rewind back your memories to the terrific 4-4 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal a couple of years ago. The industrious forward was played behind Nicklas Bendter in a free role and boy oh boy did he turn up the heat on that day.
As for tonight, the act of bringing on Arshavin in the second half did show some light for the Gunners but as soon as he started drifting down the flanks, his imminent presence on the field meant nothing to their desperate efforts of clinching a victory. Wenger has been making this mistake for a long period of time now but it has to be addressed soon because talent is something that is plenty in the Russian's tank.
5. Arsenal's Title Hopes Are Virtually Destroyed
From being in a strong position to claim a quadruple two months ago, some bizarre sequence of events have unfolded much to the down fall of the Gunners within a short period of time. Nevertheless, being seven points behind the league leaders Manchester United with a game in hand never sounded bad for them. In fact, there was still a slim hope of salvaging some pride in a below par season for Arsene Wenger's men.
Live Soccer TV provided some detailed analysis into the possible impacts on the league table before match here. To makes things clearer now though, Arsenal's hopes of overturning the majestic position of United seems to have effectively faded off.
While the Gunners still have to host United on the 1st of May, six points is a tough margin to overcome with only six games remaining in this fantastic season of Premier League football. Now, it's probably a chance to secure some respect for this season and with a derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur coming up in the week, it represents the perfect chance for them to stage a brilliant comeback from their 'late' setback against Liverpool.
