Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool: The three best and worst performers

Add as preferred source on Google

Three Worst

Alberto Moreno

Criticising Alberto Moreno feels akin to watching a man take a beating in the street and rushing over put the boot in yourself. To say any more about the Spaniard’s defensive flaws seems supererogatory; Gary Neville summed things about when he used the expression ‘absolute garbage’. After a nightmare display in the Europa League final last year, Moreno was under a great deal of scrutiny and unfortunately lived up to his billing. A rash challenge on Theo Walcott, who was facing away from goal, gifted Arsenal a penalty. It seemed Moreno had been handed a reprieve when Simon Mignolet saved, but moments later he was caught too far upfield, leaving Walcott with the freedom of the right channel (not unlike this goal by Juan Mata at Anfield in 2015). Left back has been a problem position for Liverpool for years, and will remain so on yesterday’s evidence.

Alexis Sanchez

Sanchez did not do much wrong, but his quiet and ineffective display was indicative of Arsenal’s collective problems. Sanchez had one blocked shot, won just one of eight aerial duels, made one key pass and had one dribble. The Chilean touched the ball just 28 times. Simply put, especially in the second half, Arsenal struggled to retain possession in midfield and build play from the back effectively. The distances between defence and midfield and midfield and forward line were too large. Nacho Monreal, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding were Arsenal’s three leading players in terms of touches.

When the Gunners are playing well, you’d expect someone like Özil or Santi Cazorla to dominate in terms of touches. Alexis needed five to ten yard passes in and around the box to be effective; instead, Arsenal were forced to chip balls into the channels for him to run after which Liverpool dealt with fairly comfortably. Arsenal may have scored three goals, but it was not a great offensive performance; they managed just nine shots and goal and only five on target.

Nacho Monreal

Arsenal suffered defensively, especially in the second half, but neither Holding nor Chambers made any real howlers. Again, Arsenal’s problems were structural, but the usually reliable Monreal was left exposed. Perhaps aware of the inexperienced centre back pairing next to him, the Spaniard often followed Mane into the middle which left acres of space for Clyne to run into and create overloads. Two of Liverpool goals came from their right hand side, and Monreal endured a tough time. He was one of Arsenal’s best performers last season though, so expect him to be back to his usual self with a more experienced central defence and greater protection from the flanks.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Footie Spot