Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: 4 talking points from Carabao Cup exit

Arsenal has been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool after a Diogo Jota brace was enough to send Jurgen Klopp’s side through to the final, where they will meet Chelsea. Apart from the opening ten minutes it was a poor performance from the home side as they looked tired and leggy after Liverpool’s opening goal.

A lackluster performance when they needed a spirited one proved that this side still has a way to go, despite all the ground that has been made so far this season. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martin Odegaard, and Emile Smith Rowe all returned to the starting lineup for the second leg clash, but it wasn’t enough.

The Gunners shot out of the blocks early on, putting Liverpool under pressure, creating turnovers, nipping into tackles, and forcing the visitors to retreat. However, for all of Arsenal’s good work in the first 15 minutes, it was all undone by Jota.

The diminutive winger picked up the ball after a nice flick from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Jota drove towards the Arsenal box, cut inside, and his miss-hit shot trickled past Aaron Ramsdale and into the net, giving the visitors a lead against the run of play.

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: 4 talking points from Carabao Cup heartbreak as Gunners crash out at semi-final stage courtesy of Diogo Jota double

That goal seemed to suck the energy out of the Emirates as the home side struggled to get on the ball, and when they did have a moment of sustained pressure, Liverpool took the air out by dominating possession in classic Jurgen Klopp style.

Arsenal’s poor showing continued in the second half as Liverpool held them at arm’s length for the majority of it. Jota put the game beyond doubt with a well-taken finish after a superb long ball from Alexander-Arnold, one that Jota controlled brilliantly with his chest and dinked it over an onrushing Ramsdale.

The Carabao Cup was Arsenal’s last chance at silverware for the season. Now the only thing left to play for is a top-four spot.

1. Player Mismanagement Costs Arsenal

It was said weeks ago.

The lack of transfers coming in and available players was a worry and there was every chance that it might hurt Arsenal in the following weeks. Well, tonight that came true.

In a game that the home side was well and truly in it for the opening stages, after Liverpool’s opening goal it sucked the air out of the team. All the endeavour of the start fizzled out quickly with tired legs and personnel who were clearly not fit failing to impose themselves.

With only Eddie Nketiah and Thomas Partey as realistic options off the bench – one who arrived in London at midday before game and was playing in Cameroon 48 hours earlier – the player mismanagement has cost Arsenal a chance at silverware.

Aside from the two mentioned above, the rest of the bench was filled with youngsters. That is solely the recruitment side of the club. It shouldn’t happen that a cup semi-final has such a weakened squad, and Arsenal will now have to live with the consequences of not acting fast enough in the transfer window.

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