Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool: 4 Questions & Answers

Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 on Saturday evening to move five points clear at the top of the table. Here, Arsenal fan Gunner333 gives us his thoughts on the game.

Arsenal welcomed Liverpool to the Emirates in a top-of-the-table clash, desperately looking to bounce-back from a frustrating mid-week defeat by Chelsea. Wenger’s midfield glistened with talent- Ozil, Ramsey and Cazorla all starting. The away side began with the deadly strike-force of Suarez and Sturridge up top.

The game started with a high tempo and both sides were searching for a vital three points. Brendan Rodgers selected his side in a 3-5-2 formation which may have tilted the game in the Gunners’ favour – who started in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Sagna was the first victor in the clash of formations as he played a key part in an important opener. The Frenchman’s cross met the head of Cazorla, who rattled the post and then followed up to fire the home team into the lead.

This signalled a spark in Arsenal’s play as they begun to take control through their quick-passing football.  Ramsey had the best effort after that, firing a shot low at goal  due to some clumsy Liverpool defending letting the Welshman through.

Half time and a response was required from Liverpool. Fortunately for Rodgers, that’s just what they got. Suarez and Sturridge formidably pounding the Arsenal goal with constant pressure, but the break-through did not come.

Instead Arsenal doubled their lead. Mesut Ozil slipping the ball to Ramsey, who scored  his tenth of the campaign. The ex-Cardiff midfielder waited for the ball to sit up nicely before hurtling a great effort past a hopeless Mignolet.

Suarez rattled the post and also had the chance to score when one-on-one with Szczesny, but the Uruguayan’s shot wide when he could have squared to the unmarked Sturridge to tap in. Overall, no further answer from Liverpool and the Gunners roll to yet another three points. Five points clear!!

Here are four questions and answers from the game.

1) Do we really need new additions in January?

With a flurry of midfield and defensive talent supporting strongly behind a bold Giroud, many wonder whether we really require more first team players to be added to the squad in January. Most Gooners believe we need two types of players to be more successful; a defensive midfielder and a first-class striker.

With Arteta, Flamini and even Ramsey all capable if taking up the defensive midfield role, perhaps money spent on improving this position would be wasted. In this game especially Arteta showcased that he is capable of sniffing out danger and sparking an attack. I do believe however, despite the quality of Giroud and Walcott [when fit] a clinical finisher is a MUST!!

2) Just how well is the formation working?

Practically all season Wenger has stuck with his instinct and lined the Gunners up in 4-2-3-1 formation. So far a tactic which has worked but can it cope consistently against the ‘big teams’?

This formation makes us susceptible to ‘over-playing’ in the midfield areas at times and not having enough of an attacking firepower. We play with only one man up top and this can sometimes make us struggle in forward positions if we fail to pass our way through a congested midfield. If we lock horns with greater sides maybe a 4-3-3 will not go amiss. It does still only use one striker but the wide men push further forwards and can add to our attacking game.

Q3) How will the Ox fit in?

Our midfield is consistently raved about [especially by myself] but it does leave a few questions to be answered. The Ox may be injured now but his return is something which is potentially dreaded as well as welcomed by Arsene.

Once Theo, Podolski and the Ox return to the squad, we’re going to have an abundance of midfield and attacking talent on offer and I’m keen to find out where the boss see’s him fitting in. I think it’s fair to say he won’t be considered a regular starter but when he does play, will it be central, left wing or right wing?

Q4) Are we too attacking-minded for our own good?

We know Arsenal are capable of bursting forwards with pace and committing men forward but does this cause a weakness in our defensive wall?

Full-backs Gibbs and Sagna are very attack-minded which can allow the opposition wingers to attack the open space and create great chances. We’ve been hit on the counter attack several times already this season and it’s cost us on a few occasions, but against Liverpool, we also showed a lot of discipline to read the game and the forward players worked hard to track back and fill spaces which went a long way to winning us the match.

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment below.