Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal – Much better from Arsenal
By Tom Humphrey
Arsenal recorded an impressive win at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. All the talk before the game was about how both teams had started the season badly, with Arsenal having not found the net in the new campaign. The thing the media chose to ignore was that they also hadn’t conceded, one of Arsenal’s biggest problems in years gone by.
With Wojciech Szczesny still injured, Vito Mannone remained in goal for Arsenal and Laurent Koscielny was only fit enough for a place on the bench, so you would think that the Gunners’ problems would be in defence. Not at all. Suarez was diving all over the place and Arsenal’s defence coped with him well, with both Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker putting in good displays at the back. The new coaching staff for the first team had worked. Steve Bould, a fine defender in his day, looks as though his influence may be helping out the defence.
Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez went close early on and Santiago Cazorla replied with a tame shot at goal. After Liverpool had the better start, Arsenal got better as the game went on. Diaby
had his best game for the club and Cazorla was lively throughout.
Lukas Podolski was quiet for a lot of the first half, but woke up, leading a break
away by passing to Cazorla who threaded the ball through back to the German to slot in Arsenal’s first of the season and his first for the club.
Liverpool responded with smacking the outside of the post and also having one of a few penalty appeals throughout turned down before Giroud missed a great chance to open his Arsenal account.
In the second half Arsenal did get away with one as Mertesacker and Suarez were again involved in a penalty appeal, but the ref was having none of it.
Both full backs Jenkinson and Gibbs had chances before Arsenal made it safe through Cazorla. The Spaniard’s shot should have been saved by international team mate Reina, but It flew in after hitting his arm.
Arsenal defended well until the whistle, Mannone made a couple of good saves when called upon, but was shaky with crosses and his defence helped him out.
Two players opening their goalscoring accounts and 3 points on the board. A great win for Arsenal at Anfield to kickstart their campaign that had started slowly until today.