Pain In The Arsenal Podcast: Liverpool Show Notes

Once again, Arsenal were thumped by Liverpool at Anfield. However, I weirdly think that we saw some positive things during the 3-1 defeat.

These Show Notes will look a little different to the other two that we have published. This is more of an impassioned defence of Unai Emery. I do not agree with everything that he has done at Arsenal Football Club, but I agreed with his Anfield approach.

When the Arsenal team was released an hour before kick-off, I was as perplexed as everyone else. It was certainly not what I expected. Nonetheless, Unai Emery’s unconventional, pragmatic tactics were working until Liverpool scored their first goal. As Arsenal fans, we have become accustomed to dominating possession and we have been very fortunate to have watched some magnificent football over the years. In Liverpool, we met a superior team.

Our record against the rest of the ‘Big Six’ has to change. I firmly believe that the tactics employed against Liverpool were the best tactics to employ. Yes, we were one-dimensional, but as we have done so often in the last twelve months, we relied upon our dynamic attackers to win the game. The best way for us to provide them with that opportunity at Anfield was to keep the game tight. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were afforded acres of space to cross the ball, and while the duo did put some dangerous balls into the box, Arsenal dealt with the crosses well for the most part.

I want nothing more than to see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and Nicolas Pépé terrorising opposition defences, but starting all three at Anfield would have led to a much more open game. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Who knows what would have happened had we started all three. I believe that Liverpool would have given us a 5-0 drubbing. I like the fact that we had a unique plan and that we held our nerve. I do not think that we will be as hard-nosed against Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester United.

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• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
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The first ten minutes were excruciating. We survived and began to settle. The plan became clear. Furthermore, the plan was effective. Pépé, although lacking in composure, caused problems for the Liverpool defence. Arsenal had the better chances before conceding. Despite my frustration at conceding such a silly goal before half-time, I did not see the need to change anything during the break. After all, we were only 1-0 down and had had the better of the chances.

Then, merely minutes into the second-half, David Luiz happened. The game changed completely. Had Arsenal kept the game at 1-0 until the 60th minute, I think Lacazette would have entered the fray much earlier than he did. Aubameyang played poorly, perhaps we would have been better served with Lacazette’s superior hold-up play, but again, I can understand Emery’s thinking. Aubameyang is the more dynamic of the two.

A glimpse at my Twitter feed would tell you that Arsenal fans feared the worst after Mohamed Salah scored his penalty. We knew that Liverpool could give us another hiding. I think Unai Emery did too. I believe that is why he waited until the 80th minute to introduce Lacazette. The game became a case of damage limitation for Arsenal. Considering how mentally fragile we have been in recent years, I can understand why Emery decided to try and keep things tight. The gulf in class between the two teams became apparent after the penalty. Arsenal have a ways to go before they can compete for major honours, but I do believe that they are on the right path.

Regardless, Arsenal persevered. They continued to work hard and put their bodies on the line and Lucas Torreira scored a late consolation goal. Perhaps I am being naive, but I think that that could be a big goal for Arsenal and Unai Emery. It could represent an improved mentality within the squad. The rest of the season is the only thing that could prove me wrong (or right).

Inspiration

The aim of our brand and our website is to provide fellow fans with unique, individual opinions. Nonetheless, I was surprised to see that Gary Neville and Phil McNulty were similarly ‘weirdly impressed’ by our performance and tactics at Anfield. Arsenal once again ended well beaten. As McNulty neatly summarised in his match review; “The result was bad. The attitude and most of the performance was not.”

Unai Emery has to find an identity, but he does not have to find an identity away at one of the best teams in the world. His squad is better and more balanced than it was last season. He will not get a better chance to qualify for the Champions League. This is an important season for his Arsenal career, but he was not to blame for our Anfield defeat.

Individual mistakes, a lack of concentration, and missed chances decided this game. While some may argue that Unai Emery was responsible for the defeat, I think that his willingness to adapt is admirable and something that will serve us well in future.