3 positives & negatives as Arsenal stutter in Premier League title race

Positive #3: Aaron Ramsdale

All hail Aaron Ramsadale. Any Ramsdale doubters that still existed were silenced in this match.

When the club signed the 24-year-old at the start of the 2021/22 campaign, many eyebrows were raised, mine included. After all, this was a goalkeeper who had just suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League.

However, the English shot-stopper quickly won over the Arsenal fanbase and his display against Liverpool confirmed that he could be relied upon in the big games. Producing three incredible saves, first against Darwin Nunez, second against Mohamed Salah and then stopping Ibrahima Konate to make it three, Ramsdale was arguably the reason we avoided defeat at Anfield.

According to The xG Philosophy, Liverpool accumulated an expected goals figure of 4.76 by the time the final whistle sounded, which demonstrates just how well Ramsdale performed.

Negative #3: Manchester City handed initiative in the title race

As I mentioned before, a point at Anfield can never be looked down upon, but the result does mean that the Premier League title race is now in Manchester City’s hands. Pep Guardiola’s side now know that if they are able to win all of their remaining fixtures, they will be crowned Premier League champions, regardless of our results.

The one caveat to that of course is that the title is also still in our hands too. As long as we avoid defeat at the Etihad, and at least match their results before that game, we will regain full control of the title race.

As it stands at this current moment in time, however, City are the masters of their own destiny, and that is a scenario that Arteta would have been desperate to avoid.