Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool: Jota & Firmino seal 2-0 win

Arsenal suffered just their second defeat in 12 matches as second half goals from Jota and Roberto Firmino secured Liverpool a 2-0 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta is taking his team through one of their most grueling weeks of the season as they contest three matches inside six days, with the first of those ending in a 2-0 win over Leicester last Sunday.

Despite hope that Takehiro Tomiyasu could return from injury he wasn’t available to start this match, with Cedric Soares keeping his place at right-back.

The only other area of interest was on the left wing, with Gabriel Martinelli chosen to keep his place ahead of top scorer Emile Smith Rowe

Arsenal player ratings as Jota and Firmino keep Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes alive with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium

It was a first half where both teams almost cancelled each other out, as the Gunners’ excellent defensive shape and aggression limited Liverpool in wide areas.

As for Arsenal, the got into some promising positions where just the final ball was lacking, as they utilised space excellently in behind the Reds’ full-backs.

Odegaard missed a glorious chance shortly after the break and, just when Arsenal were at their most threatening, the suckerpunch came as Jota was threaded through on goal and his shot beat Ramsdale at the near post.

And then there was the clincher. Robertson closed down a clearance before surging towards the box, where he fed Firmino to tap in for a quick second goal. Martinelli nearly reduced the arrears late, a goal his performance would have deserved, but the game would finish 2-0.

All on Saturday.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6/10 – He has to be saving those. With that angle and at his near post, there is no denying that. That moment appeared to unsettle him and he’ll be more disappointed than most to have let it squirm in.

Cedric Soares (RB) – 6/10 – Some of his footwork in tight spaces to wriggle out of challenges was a welcome pressure valve as the Reds’ wingers closed in. A clean game technically for Cedric who defended his side well barring switching off for the first and second goals.

Benjamin White (CB) – 6/10 – What was crucial for the central defenders in this game was to be aggressive, but smart, in their duels. Getting a foot as soon as the ball was played into the forwards was key and White did that for large spells, with his positioning and decision making for the second goal putting a dampener on this display.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – The bulk of the build-up went through White, as usual, with Gabriel needing to keep things ticking over in the left to Tierney, Xhaka and Partey.

When the team had to sit deep he defended his zones very well. Well-timed standing tackles and proactivity for most of the game.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – The thought of coming up against a combination of Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz, who kept swapping sides, is daunting for anyone. For Tierney to have covered so much ground in defensive transitions and go toe-to-toe with those speed merchants was highly commendable. Let little go down his side.

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Midfielders

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 6/10 – The aim of starving Arsenal of balls into their creative players was clear from Liverpool’s setup, with a V-shape in midfield cutting off lanes to Odegaard who didn’t get the time on the ball this side needs. And, when the chance came, he should have netted.

However, it was his outrageous work rate that stood out most in this game given the possession he picked up was mostly in areas where Liverpool wanted it. While he ran like there was no tomorrow, he was marked out of the game.

Thomas Partey (DM) – 8/10 – Just like he did when Manchester City came to the Emirates back in January, Partey took on all the responsibility asked of him and was the graceful giant fans have seen across 2022. On the ball he was slick, but crucially smart.

The passes he threaded were incisive but most importantly was how composed he was under th central press.

Granit Xhaka (AM) – 7/10 – Did so many elements confidently but when it came to the final ball he didn’t have the crispness of delivery that key moments required. Positionally it was a really strong game from Xhaka again, who was disciplined off the ball.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 6/10 – The role for Saka on Wednesday was such a physically demanding one. Even if he didn’t win many of his duels with Robertson he kept challenging for every single ball and those duels allowed Arsenal to move up the pitch. A proper shift from the star boy who was kept quiet for large spells.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 6/10 – As was expected in this game it would all be about Lacazette’s work rate and how he’d hold the ball up if found centrally.

The usual captain’s performance full of bite and brawn, but without seeing much of the ball.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 8/10 – There are few words left to describe this young man who seemed to relish taking on Alexander-Arnold, which few players ever say.

Picking up raking diagonals with divine first touches helped Arsenal get bodies up the pitch and his endeavour off the ball didn’t give Liverpool’s defenders any time. He was skinning players like Leatherface. Unbelievable talent.

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Substitutes

Emile Smith Rowe – 6/10 – A really tough game for anyone to come into as it was clear that Arteta made the change with an eye on the Aston Villa match. Showed plenty of effort but was feeding off scraps.

Nicolas Pepe – 6/10 – Similarly for Pepe there wasn’t much for him to go on, with Liverpool cruising through the final stages. The Ivorian was left to chase down the ball and hope for play to break open.

Eddie Nketiah – N/A – Had little to no action after coming on.