All the pre match talk was about last seasons reverse. A 5-1 thumping at the hands of Liverpool whilst topping the league. But this time last season it was Louis Suarez FC, as much as pool fans would like to argue about that, since he left it's plain for everyone to see how the club is performing (Sturridge obviously injured not helping). But this was an under pressure Arsenal team with it's defensive failings open for exposure by the Pool attack. Chambers returned from suspension but had to play at RB as Debuchy was preferred in the centre. The rest of the team was the same as last week.
In the reverse last season Liverpool were up 4-0 within 20 minutes and the way they started it felt like it would be the same thing. Chance after chance fell Liverpool's way and a player like Markovic who struggled all season suddenly was playing like Ronaldo, causing all sorts of problems to the team. Ultimately Liverpool deservedly took the lead when Coutinho fired them ahead. However Arsenal, very fortunately, got a lifeline when we scored off a set piece (shocking!). Debuchy scoring his first ever Arsenal goal. At half time Arsenal very fortunately went in level.
The second half was a better performance but still Pool being the better team. This half Arsenal had chances via Santi and Giroud with the latter surprisingly giving Arsenal the lead by an assist by the former. Liverpool had chances before that but were not efficient enough to take control of the match. Arsenal sat deep and tried to defend the lead with Wenger even taking off Giroud for Monreal. Borini sent off as well for 2 stupid fouls and he had the audacity to spit towards the bench as well! Liverpool with 10 men and Arsenal with 5 defenders. You would be normal to think it was the 3 points in the bag. However far from it, nemesis Skrtel was back again scoring in added time to gibe 10 man Liverpool a deserved point. However Arsenal, poor, very very poor.
I read an article recently that stated the number of points we have lost from winning positions this season. It says we would have been a point behind Chelsea had we not lost the points. Can you believe that? 1 POINT! Whatever the reason for this pathetic defending Wenger should sort it out, because we all know he will not be sacked. Hopefully a few signings to give us all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Up the Arsenal!
PLAYER RATINGS
1: Wojciech Szczesny (8): Made some fantastic saves to give us a point. My MOTM easily. Been long since he produced such a dominating display.
22: Calum Chambers (3): Had an absolute shocker. Made a flop of a player seem like one of the best players in the world. He desperately needs a rest but no backup. Shocking.
2: Mathieu Debuchy (7): A decent performance in a make shift position.
4: Per Mertesacker (3): I'm out of words for him. He has been our worst player this season along with Flamini. Either needs a drop or some rest but again no players to replace him.
3: Kieran Gibbs (5): Meh.
20: Mathieu Flamini (4.5): The only reason he even gets a 4.5 is because of an assist. Would not waste my time abusing him, Gary Neville did that for me!
15: Oxlade-Chamberlain (4): Seemed well off pace and struggled to get into the game. Very obvious that he was not ready for the game.
19: Santi Cazorla (7): Best player offensively. Got an assist. Had a great chance in the end which he should have passed rather than shot.
23: Danny Welbeck (3): Another meh performance. His worst that I can think of.
17: Alexis Sanchez (4): Seems exhausted at the moment. That pathetic Pool defence did not have to worry about anything at all. Needs more rest by the looks of it.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): Everyone's complaint was his inability to score against the big teams. Well he has scored against City, Utd, Everton and now Pool! Had a really poor game but still worked well for the goal.
SUBSTITUTES:
28: Joel Cambell (4): This was like that "Hey you I pity you so go play" kind of substitution. Did nothing noticeable.
34: Coquelin (5): Put in a few challenges and ran around. Was brought to help defend but preferred running in front.
18: Nacho Monreal (N/A): Another Meh!
In the reverse last season Liverpool were up 4-0 within 20 minutes and the way they started it felt like it would be the same thing. Chance after chance fell Liverpool's way and a player like Markovic who struggled all season suddenly was playing like Ronaldo, causing all sorts of problems to the team. Ultimately Liverpool deservedly took the lead when Coutinho fired them ahead. However Arsenal, very fortunately, got a lifeline when we scored off a set piece (shocking!). Debuchy scoring his first ever Arsenal goal. At half time Arsenal very fortunately went in level.
The second half was a better performance but still Pool being the better team. This half Arsenal had chances via Santi and Giroud with the latter surprisingly giving Arsenal the lead by an assist by the former. Liverpool had chances before that but were not efficient enough to take control of the match. Arsenal sat deep and tried to defend the lead with Wenger even taking off Giroud for Monreal. Borini sent off as well for 2 stupid fouls and he had the audacity to spit towards the bench as well! Liverpool with 10 men and Arsenal with 5 defenders. You would be normal to think it was the 3 points in the bag. However far from it, nemesis Skrtel was back again scoring in added time to gibe 10 man Liverpool a deserved point. However Arsenal, poor, very very poor.
I read an article recently that stated the number of points we have lost from winning positions this season. It says we would have been a point behind Chelsea had we not lost the points. Can you believe that? 1 POINT! Whatever the reason for this pathetic defending Wenger should sort it out, because we all know he will not be sacked. Hopefully a few signings to give us all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Up the Arsenal!
PLAYER RATINGS
1: Wojciech Szczesny (8): Made some fantastic saves to give us a point. My MOTM easily. Been long since he produced such a dominating display.
22: Calum Chambers (3): Had an absolute shocker. Made a flop of a player seem like one of the best players in the world. He desperately needs a rest but no backup. Shocking.
2: Mathieu Debuchy (7): A decent performance in a make shift position.
4: Per Mertesacker (3): I'm out of words for him. He has been our worst player this season along with Flamini. Either needs a drop or some rest but again no players to replace him.
3: Kieran Gibbs (5): Meh.
20: Mathieu Flamini (4.5): The only reason he even gets a 4.5 is because of an assist. Would not waste my time abusing him, Gary Neville did that for me!
15: Oxlade-Chamberlain (4): Seemed well off pace and struggled to get into the game. Very obvious that he was not ready for the game.
19: Santi Cazorla (7): Best player offensively. Got an assist. Had a great chance in the end which he should have passed rather than shot.
23: Danny Welbeck (3): Another meh performance. His worst that I can think of.
17: Alexis Sanchez (4): Seems exhausted at the moment. That pathetic Pool defence did not have to worry about anything at all. Needs more rest by the looks of it.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): Everyone's complaint was his inability to score against the big teams. Well he has scored against City, Utd, Everton and now Pool! Had a really poor game but still worked well for the goal.
SUBSTITUTES:
28: Joel Cambell (4): This was like that "Hey you I pity you so go play" kind of substitution. Did nothing noticeable.
34: Coquelin (5): Put in a few challenges and ran around. Was brought to help defend but preferred running in front.
18: Nacho Monreal (N/A): Another Meh!