We’ve continued asking Arsenal to show us what they got before they’re taken seriously and after Sunday’s display against Liverpool. Then surely we have to put done the act and give them their flowers. They’re the real deal and also considerable Manchester City’s only title challenger.
Arsenal hosted Liverpool in what was expected to be a thrilling game and it delivered duely. Man of the Match Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal a lighting quick lead after 58 seconds of play. Liverpool grew into the game and responded well midway into the half with a finish from Darwin Nunez, but it was Arsenal who walked into half-time smiling and with the lead as Bukayo Saka rounded off a sweeping counterattack seconds before the whistle.
The second half didn’t slow things down for either side as Liverpool was able to find a way again as Firmino get his goal. Edging towards the end of the game and Liverpool give away a penalty, converted calmly by Bukayo Saka. He has scored against every “Big Six” in the league.
Liverpool’s general performance was so poor that it’s so hard to pick a good performance. Trent was tormented by Martinelli all game and was rested at half time, Salah’s poor form continued as he was not allowed a sniff against Tomiyasu, Van Dijk wasn’t solid at the back, Jota wasn’t allowed any joy runs at the Arsenal back and much of the story applied to the rest of the team. Klopp hasn’t fixed the issues in the group and it’s becoming worse every passing game.
Arteta got his tactics right again, and unlike the Liverpool team, too many top performers that it is almost unfair to pick only a set-out. Partey bossed the midfield, Martinelli was a pain to Liverpool all game, Saka didn’t make Tsimikas any chance to overlap, Jesus was constantly making sure Van Dijk had to look over his shoulders, Xhaka was everywhere and you can say the same about the whole team. We’ve underestimated how good they’ve started this season as some said; they have gotten a real test yet. Arsenal can take on any team in the world and give them a decent game, that’s how far Arteta has taken this team.
Manchester City is pretty much unstoppable in the league this season and with Erling Halaand and Kevin De Bruyne on form at the pivot, it seems a herculean task. With this, Pep humbly said that Arsenal have played better than his team this season and he can’t overlook that, which is still very true. They have overridden their opposition but have done a very decent job to stay top of the league for so long this season, that was not expected, but you just can’t fault them.
CRISTIANO HITS 700
Finally, he gets the 700th cub goal of his career and his first league goal this season. His celebration shows how relaxed he felt after he has come from a difficult start to the season. He has never been away from the headlines and it so happens that this season, it hasn’t been positive ones, he hadn’t started and saw his started place under Erik Ten Hag go away, but after Anthony Martial’s injury, he came in and justified himself. It’s definitely not going to be an easy season for him and the critics are always near, his age keeps going up and the pressure on himself and the team keeps mounting. It’s up to him to make the big moments count for much.
COMING UP NEXT: Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest take on each other today and we can bet on either of these two managers getting sacked next. The Champions League returns this week as well and we can’t wait for it.
