What Arsenal’s performance against Liverpool tells us

Arsenal find themselves in the unfamiliar territory of losing a league match. For just the second time in 12 games they’ve failed to claim any points, with both of those occasions coming against the two sides chasing a Premier League title.

That is the kind of form that gets you into the top four positions. What offers more encouragement is that both the defeats were either narrow or came when the Gunners edged the match over 90 minutes.

There were undoubted signs of progress against Liverpool, despite the visitors finishing the game in relative comfort from the moment the second goal went in, a lot of which can be channeled into positive energy for the remainder of the Premier League campaign.

But the performance should tell Arsenal more than just that.

Arsenal’s performance against Liverpool proves that this side has the potential to compete in the Champions League – they just need to get there

For 55 minutes of this game Arsenal didn’t just go ‘toe-to-toe’. That term can be used for the way Leeds would tackle any game under Marcelo Bielsa. It implies that they apply the same degree of attacking intent, albeit with a different style.

What it doesn’t imply is that they competed. That is the crucial word. It’s one thing throwing the same number of bodies forward and another actually testing the opposition for more than just the occasional opportunity.

Without making Alisson truly work, the Gunners limited Liverpool to one shot in the opening five minutes before the goal and fashioned openings of their own with intelligent build-up play that had to be tweaked by the players on the pitch in mid-game. They understood the spaces and the opposition and attacked the areas they knew they could do most threat.

This is one of the finest sides in Europe. They’re among the favourites for the Champions League. So while there is still some way to go before Arsenal can compete for 90 minutes against the Liverpool’s of this world, what they produced should give them real confidence that they can carry that over into elite European competition.

If that level is sustained for the rest of the Premier League season then this team may not lose any more matches. Of course, it’s a huge and unrealistic ask to play to that standard but there are many teams across Europe who couldn’t face that Arsenal side an add the same level of ruthlessness that Jurgen Klopp’s men needed to win.

Just as the defeat to Manchester City in January demonstrated that Arsenal can finish in the top four, there were large periods of Wednesday night that showed likewise in major European competition.

It is not often that can you leave a game with nothing to show for it and somehow have more belief in the team to achieve their goals. With the right additions in the summer – including the striker everyone knows can transform the team – the Champions League won’t just be a ticket for greater finance; Arsenal will be there to compete. Qualifying out of the group would be a great start.

They just need to get there now.