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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2. Arsenal Only Have the Top 4 as Their Chance at “Silverware”

Out of both the FA Cup and now Carabao Cup, the only thing left to play for is a top four spot for Arsenal. Often seen as a trophy in the Arsene Wenger days, the Gunners absolutely have to go all guns blazing for it. They can’t not.

Prior to the season beginning most would have accepted no silverware so long as a Champions League place was secured. Well, they’ve got no choice now.

With no other competitions to worry about and only Premier League games to focus on, it is not a non-negotiable for the Gunners. At the start of the season, it was thought of as a pipe dream but now there is a real chance for the north London side to get back into European football.

Even with Tottenham and Manchester United picking up points recently, a place in that superior echelon is well up for grabs.

There are no excuses now for Arteta and his side. Only playing one game a week, the Gunners should be going full throttle in every remaining encounter. Players should be fresh and ready to go. If top four is not secured, then one can only imagine the kinds of pressure that will be heaped on the club and its board.

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3. Gabriel Martinelli The Pick of the Bunch

The Brazilian winger was a beacon of energy and commitment all night. After terrorizing Alexander-Arnold in the first 15 minutes he went quiet, like the rest of his team, as Liverpool understood his threat and reacted on it.

However, whenever the ball was near his area, his trademark energy and relentless aggression on the ball were clearly noticeable. He was so dangerous in the first half that he forced Joel Matip to be subbed off.

It was clear that other players such as Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe were not fully fit after their injury concerns, and Martinelli again put in a huge physical shift for his team. He did have a glorious chance after Liverpool’s second goal as the ball popped up nicely for him, however, his shot sailed over the bar as Arsenal crashed out of the competition.

Everything about the team was poor tonight and even Martinelli went missing for large portions of the game, but the endeavor was there for all to see, something that can’t be said for others.

Equally, it mustn’t go unmentioned that Martin Odegaard showed his ability several times with his neat flicks and fancy feet to open up space. He oozed class all night. But, aside from that, the Arsenal team was found wanting against Liverpool.

If anyone was in any doubt about Martinelli, this is what the opposing manager, Jurgen Klopp, said, unprompted, after the game: “Martinelli, by the way, everyone should remember that name. Outstanding player.”

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4. Thomas Partey Suspended for Burnley

Look up Arsenal in the dictionary. Read what it says.

It might look something like: “a key player goes away to an international tournament and somehow doesn’t miss a single Premier League game, only to return to the pitch eight hours after playing on another continent, gets himself sent off, and then misses the following game he had returned in time for.”

Quite the long-winded definition but, that is Arsenal Football Club. You can’t write this stuff. That’s now fourteen since Arteta took charge.

So, with that red card it makes it as you were. Albert Sambi Lokonga will be left to man the central fort once more. But, on a positive note, at least it’s against a dreadful Burnley side at home. That does soften the blow somewhat.

And, Odegaard was terrific even with Arsenal losing 2-0. So, hopefully, it won’t be too keenly felt.

As for the yellow cards, the second one was undoubtedly a booking, but Partey can feel harshly done by for the first. It was his first foul (he has two all game) and the referee didn’t need to be so rash.

It is what it is: ‘Arsenal’.