Arsenal 3- 1 Liverpool

Matches between Arsenal and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are frantic. Normally big teams  play within themselves, keeping it dull so as to not concede. That is not how this one, historically, has gone. These games are also, historically, bad days for Arsenal. 

Prior to today, Arsenal had played Klopp’s Liverpool 16 times in the league. Arsenal won twice, scoring 22 goals in all these fixtures to Liverpool’s 44. I do not need to tell you that this is bad.

Today, instead, they bucked recent history. It was an overall excellent performance. I could laud plaudits on the whole Arsenal team. I’ve singled out three. 

1. Without Jesus, Arteta tried Kai Havertz as a striker again. Havertz’s biggest strength ( his ability to work off the ball) stuck out for the first goal. Throughout the whole match, he looked for space and found it. His size opens up the long out ball in a way that is not always used when Jesus is up top. There are still complaints about the lack of a final ball and the pace at which he plays, sure. But he showed why managers keep trying to make him a false 9. I wouldn’t want to see it against a low block. But, against a team that wants to have a slug fest, I think it’s a good idea to keep trying it ( I, personally, would love to see ESR tried in the role as well).

2. There are very few players in the world that have the drive that Martinelli does. He constantly wants to challenge opposition defenses, looking for the ball over the top and to beat his man. When it’s a team that wants to control possession more it allows him to show his work rate and ruthlessness to great effect. Raya has started to launch more balls his way, knowing Martinelli will work his tail off to get there if he has even the smallest of chances to get it. This kept Trent Alexander Aronld honest to his defensive responsibilities or asked more of the back line than they could handle. The second goal is an excellent display of what makes him great; pouncing on something that seemed a bit hopeless and making the most of it.
   
3. Saka showed his calmness in front of goal, scoring the first goal with a deft touch and a swift curling finish. It’s a misconception to think it’s an easy finish. The shot had an XG of .44 and an XGOT of .30. That’s not even a coin flip. There are few with the ability to score and make decisive actions in games better than him. Let’s hope that him coming off was just a little knock and nothing more. 

This was supposed to be Klopp’s coronation. A glorious occasion to start the rampage all the way to the end of the year, littering the German with trophies and the plaudits he (rightfully) deserves. Instead, it might be their worst performance against the north London team, maybe, ever. 

I can’t shake this feeling that it won’t be enough for us to start a title race, though. Liverpool and Manchester City ask you to be a level of perfection that is otherworldly. This Arsenal team has sputtered and struggled to find its footing all year. We still let teams into matches when they have no right to be within reasonable distance. What will be a bigger statement is next week, winning against a West Ham we just can’t seem to beat this season. 

I will ignore the impending doom till next week. Today, we won. We never have to play a Klopp Liverpool side again. 

It’s with a smile that I can type,

Thank fucking god we never have to do that again.

South Baltimore Forever 

Dillon