Arsenal Suffocated by Lethal Liverpool

Coming out of the international break, Liverpool away is no easy task – no matter what the conditions are. With an 8-game winning streak in the league, Arsenal looked to keep it going. Despite the high hopes, Liverpool managed to maintain their 5-year undefeated streak against Arsenal (at Anfield) intact. So what did we learn from the game?

Arsenal still struggle against a high press:

We struggled earlier on in the season playing against a high press against teams such as Brighton and Crystal Palace. In those games, the Gunners were forced to play wide and send in a hopeful cross. Against Liverpool however, there was no way out. Klopp’s high press left Arteta’s men with no options. Couldn’t go wide, couldn’t go down the middle, couldn’t go long – we were completely suffocated. In all honesty, I haven’t a clue of how Arteta could’ve found through.

Still a long way to go for Top 4:

We saw it against Chelsea. We saw it against Manchester City. We’ve now seen it against Liverpool. There is a vast deficit in quality between us and the title contenders and it becomes increasingly evident each time we match them. Us Top 4 still achievable? Possibly so. If Arteta can keep this streak of form going then there is a very real chance that we can reach Top 4, but only time will tell. With United searching for a new manager and Conte leading Tottenham, it will be no easy task at all.

Tierney or Tavares?

With Tierney having been out for the last two games, starting Nuno Tavares against Liverpool was the right decision (in my opinion anyway). However, with his mistake leading to Jota’s goal, it is obvious who our first choice LB should be. Whilst Tavares did a great job in filling in for Tierney, his raw talent is not enough to play him over the more experienced and developed Scotsman. I fully expect Tierney to be on the pitch when the opening whistle blows against Newcastle.

Ramsdale retains reputation:

What can’t this man do? Despite conceding four to a relentless Liverpool attack, if it weren’t for Ramsdale it could’ve very easily been a 6 or 7 goal deficit. Arsenal’s man of the match on a very gloomy day.