Arsenal: Progress under Unai Emery changing Liverpool story line

Arsenal’s 3rd November date with Liverpool at the Emirates was always going to be the first big examination of manager Unai Emery’s progress. But with Arsenal fourth in the Premier League, and top of their Europa League group, that story line deserves a rewrite.

Arsenal detractors are waiting to say, “I told you so!” Slowly but surely, they have been crafting their narratives; updating and expounding upon them in their weekly missives; with the arc of each diatribe building to one denouement: Liverpool.

Fortunately for the Gunner’s faithful, reality had other plans. No need to apologize, though, mates. Do whinge on.

Meanwhile, has Mo Salah fallen to earth?

While he does have three goals and an assist, his free kicks are not sailing into, but narrowly over, the top corner this year. He takes four shots per game, so clearly he is getting open. And if you like metadata, he averages two passes per game that lead to a shot.

He also picked up an injury on international duty. Images from the match point to his left groin. Worth tracking the progress on that.

Probing deeper, might Liverpool have a soft underbelly? Through eight games, four players have logged over 700 minutes. You would expect that, right? Defenders, and all. But another five are over 600 minutes.

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These nine players account for 10 goals and six assists. One of those players is Salah. James Milner, however, is not, and he is now out with a hamstring injury. There’s another goal and two assists on ice, along with someone who knows how to keep the ball.

Will the Jurgen Klopp physical regimen claim any more first team regulars?

For perspective, the Gunners have two players with over 700 minutes (Bellerin and Mustafi), and two over 600 (Monreal and Xhaka). They have chipped in three goals and four assists.

So let’s get down to business. This club’s progress under Unai Emery is there for all to see: Nine consecutive wins in all competitions; three away wins and two clean sheets in the league; building from the back with Bernd Leno in goal; the 5th most goals scored of all EUFA teams. And one could argue Emery still does not know his best XI.

Should all of the equity Arsenal have earned this season-to-date be erased because of one defeat against Liverpool?

Liverpool are supposed to be the finished product. The Gunners are supposed to be rebuilding. Liverpool: undefeated and joint-top of the league. Arsenal: bested by City, and outlasted by Chelsea. Yet two points behind, they lurk.

Anyone who wants to examine the progress of Arsenal post-Wenger will see two obvious truths. Emery is ahead of schedule. The Liverpool story line needs a rewrite.