…Roberto Firmino scored his 11th goal against Arsenal as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
MON. 10 APRIL 2023-theGBJournal | Goals from Martinelli at 8 minutes and Gabriel Jesus at 28 minutes gave Arsenal the lead, comeback goals from Salah at 42 minutes, and a late Firmino goal at 87 minutes gave Liverpool a much-needed point, for the gunners they left the match disappointed; they had all it took to win the game.
Firmino’s goals made him the third highest goal scorer against Arsenal in EPL games.
FT: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
xG: 3.96-1.41
Shots: 21-9
Shots on target: 6-5
Big chances: 8-3
Touches in opp. box: 53–25
Possession: 59%-41%
Tactical anyalysis
Battle of two halves
This game was a battle of two halves, with Arsenal dominating the first half. They showed the stuff of champions.
Their exchange of passes, fluid attacks, compact defense, and Liverpool’s lack of plan B apart from failed counterattacks reminded us of how good this Arsenal team has been in the league this season.
For Liverpool, the first half brought questions on whether it is time for Liverpool to ditch their Ghen Ghen press counter attack style of football.
The second half brought the Liverpool we have known for seasons.
Dominate the ball, counter press, force opposition to loose ball, use wing play using the fullbacks as wingers, and they got the 2 goals needed.
Arsenal’s second-half performance is part of the reason there’s skepticism about them winning the league.
Virgil has been a shadow of himself since his injury, and part of the reason Liverpool have struggled this season is due to defensive injuries and instability.
Konate was signed with good potential, and recent displays have shown he is adjusting and becoming a Liverpool defensive leader.
His man of the match performance in this match is why Liverpool got a draw; he was able to do his zonal and direct man marking roles excellently, also filling in as a right back when Trent goes forward.
Liverpool fans would be happy to see the player he is developing.
Ibrahima Konaté for Liverpool vs. Arsenal:
Most duels won (8)
Most possession won (eight)
Most tackles: 5
Most interceptions: 3
Aaron Ramsdale’s gamble paid off.
12 clean sheets
78 saves
When Arsenal signed Ramsdale and sold Leno, it was a risk, buying a keeper who had just been relegated and conceded a lot of goals.
But he has shown he’s worth every penny. He made four superb saves to give Arsenal at least a point.
Should Salah stop talking penalties
With back-to-back missed penalties, I think it is high time Salah stopped taking penalties.
He is having a mental block on penalty shots, and it is best he step aside as his miss has cost the club four points in two games.
Martinelli Arsenal’s secret weapon
Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Xhaka, White, Partey, and Ramsdale have gotten praise and are seen as the fulcrum of the team.
But Martinelli has been vital to the team, growing from strength to strength and delivering master class performances. His consistency would determine how far Arsenal can go in the league. His goal and assist in this game show he knows when to turn up.
What’s the way forward? Arnold
The first-half performance is part of the reason Liverpool fans believe they need a new right back when Arnold doesn’t offer attacking input and his defense is hazardous, and it affects the team.
The second half brought the Arnold we all love; his delicious assist for the equalizer shows how vital he is in the team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s game by numbers vs. Arsenal:
77 touches
24 final third passes
7 duels won
7x possession won
6 accurate crosses
4 accurate long balls
4 chances were created.
4 tackles
1 assist
Arnold needs to work on his defensive awareness; that’s part of the reason he isn’t playing regularly for England, and with Kloop reluctant to play him in the midfield, he needs to turn up more. This article is curtesy wavysport
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