Arsenal’s supersonic winger, Robertson’s performance, disappointing first period… Peaks and flop after Arsenal-Liverpool (0-2).
Tops
Liverpool crush Arsenal
After a surprisingly sad first stint (see elsewhere), Jürgen Klopp’s players return with better intentions when they return from the locker room, in this late match of the 27th day of the Premier League. Sadio Mane believes in opening the scoring once he recovers (47), but his goal was precisely rejected due to offside. Liverpool needed just eight minutes to beat Arsenal and win 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Diogo Jota was well fired by Thiago Alcantara, hitting the near post and allowing his team to open the scoring in the 54th minute of play, then the Portuguese, who was due to leave a few minutes earlier, made way for Roberto Firmino. A change in thrust since it was the Brazilian who scored Jurgen Klopp’s second goal after eight minutes (62nd place). Liverpool took a 2-0 lead after an hour and then quietly dominated the game. Arsenal, impotent, died little by little.
Read alsoPremier League: Liverpool tames Arsenal and returns to a small point behind leaders Manchester City
Arsenal fire lanes
There were still some sparks for the Gunners during this meeting. The Arsenal winger in explosives Thursday night did not stop lighting the wicks in vain. At the start of a match, Bukayo Saka is often sought after. The English winger, full of good intentions but often clumsy, will be more and more conservative as the match progresses. His alter ego on the left side was resounding, reminiscent of an early Neymar. Throughout the meeting, Gabriel Martinelli struggled on the left side. The Brazilian player, who is only 20 years old, often lacks support. At the beginning of the second period (the forty-ninth), he gave us a moment of wonderful class. Winger Trent Alexander-Arnold wipes out with a double touch before crossing a small bridge to Jordan Henderson. At the end of the match (89) he was very close to closing the gap. On his left side, Gabriel Martinelli tries “Special Thierry Henry”. His coiled shot only fails wide.
Robertson, cover his entire lane
If little by little Bukayo Saka died, it was in part thanks to the work of Andrew Robertson, who grew in strength throughout the match. Serious in defense during the first period, he will gradually resume his habits and go up his lane. It is a crucial pass for Roberto Firmino during the second goal of the Reds (62).
flops
The first half is sad
This promising match took off on paper with great fanfare. Liverpool camp in the opposite camp and get three corners in the first three minutes. Virgil van Dijk came very close to tricking the opposing goalkeeper with an angry header from the start (2). Only, the density will gradually decrease. Inaccuracies, mistakes, and poor choices will proliferate on both sides. The first period in the end is very poor in chances. Only three shots from each side, only one shot on target in 45 minutes (Virgil van Dijk’s header in the second minute).
Odegaard transparent
The Norwegian playmaker has not been at his level in recent weeks on Thursday night. Not seen at Emirates Stadium. Only 20 passes attempts, 42% of duels won, six balls lost and two fouls by Martin Odegaard against Liverpool. Above all, the former Real Madrid player missed his team’s best chance. In the 52nd minute, Arsenal thought he would open the scoring. After an uncertain back pass from Thiago, Alexandre Lacazette puts pressure on Alisson before passing it to Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian, well positioned, misses his shot and stumbles on a massive Allison. Liverpool score the first goal after three minutes. The Arsenal captain is logically the first player to leave since the 68th minute.
Trent isn’t up to it
Trent Alexander-Arnold upset and disappointed against Arsenal. The English defender was constantly beaten in the fencing and was passed by Gabriel Martinelli. He also did not have his usual offensive performance. The Liverpool right-back has found very few teammates with his multiple crosses. Only three attempts out of nine were successful. Only 74% of successful passes but above all 24 losing balls, a record for a game the 23-year-old defender will never forget.
