Saturday 20 August 2011

Match coverage - Arsenal vs. Liverpool

Overview

I’m sure both Arsene and King Kenny will agree that it is incredibly early for a game of such mammoth proportions. If both teams were offered a draw right now, I think it’s safe to say they would take it and part ways – although a very young Arsenal side plagued with injuries gives Liverpool a huge opportunity to pick up 3 points at the Emirates.

Arsenal line up without suspended Gervinho and Song, while Wilshere and Gibbs continue to struggle with injuries. This has forced Arsene to start with the inexperienced Jenkinson and Frimpong, which I’m sure Liverpool will target. Nasri also gets a starting position even though his inevitable transfer saga to Manchester City is seemingly coming to an end, hopefully his professionalism will prevail and Nasri puts in one final shift for Arsenal. Rumours are circulating suggesting the transfer may have broken down, but if I were Nasri, looking around, I would certainly abandon what seems to be a sinking ship. Nevertheless, the home advantage and a deadly front 3 still make this Arsenal side an offensive force to be reckoned with.

Liverpool line up with two changes – Kelly takes the right back position after Flanagan’s mistake last week earned Sunderland a draw, while Kuyt takes Suarez’s position as the Uruguayan continues to battle for full fitness. We will see either Kuyt or Downing playing a deep central role behind Carroll when Liverpool have the ball, and dropping into midfield to pack the central area when Arsenal have possession.

Team Line-ups

GK: Szczesny
RB: Jenkinson CB: Koscielny CB: Vermaelen LB: Sagna
CM: Ramsey CM: Nasri CM: Frimpong
RW: Walcott ST: Van Persie LW: Arshavin

GK: Reina
RB: Kelly CB: Carragher CB: Agger LB: Jose Enrique
RW: Kuyt CM: Adam CM: Lucas CM: Henderson LW: Downing
ST: Carroll

Key Moments

1st half

4.00 opportunity: A low delivery from Downing is mishit by Kuyt who was in a fantastic position in front of goal – Szczesny scoops the ball up.

5.00 opportunity: A Van Persie corner finds Arshavin who attempts a side-foot volley, which goes horribly wrong – uncharacteristic of the Russian.

6.40 opportunity: Vermaelen meets Nasri’s corner with a header that goes well wide of the right post.

7.30 yellow card: Frimpong who has already made a clumsy challenge, receives a yellow for mistaking an Arsenal throw in for his own and squaring up to Henderson, he seems a little too up for this occasion.

9.00 opportunity: Adam launches in a deadly free-kick from the right side but Vermaelen meets and clears.

9.50 opportunity: Nasri finds Walcott unmarked on the right wing who drives a cross into Arshavin’s path, but Reina is the quicker of the two, diving to meet the ball.

12.00 opportunity: Carroll heads the ball down for Downing who puts a fantastic volley into the back of the net – but the referee whistles for a push by Carroll.

13.00 injury concern: Koscielny pulls up and it looks like he has pulled his hamstring. This is a massive worry for Arsenal who are already incredibly short on numbers. The touchline reporter has confirmed it is in fact back spasms causing the problems.

14.00 substitute: Koscielny’s day is over as the 18 year old Miquel comes on to replace him. What a game to make your Premier League debut, let’s hope the young lad keeps his nerves about him.

19.20 opportunity: Carroll muscles Sagna to power a fantastic header towards Arsenal’s goal, which is met by an equally excellent save by Szczesny.

21.50 opportunity: Adam tries to pull back a free kick form the left wing to Downing who was lurking in the centre – it is horribly misjudged and Arsenal clear.

22.48 opportunity: Kuyt floats in a cross that Henderson meets with his head, but a lack of power forced a reasonable save from Szczesny.

25.30 opportunity: Downing floats in a corner aiming for Carroll, but it is cleared. Downing gets a second chance but it’s also cleared, somewhat horribly by Frimpong who launches it backwards into his own box – the ball is cleared once again.

27.40 yellow card: Carroll was miles offside and proceeded to put the ball into the back of the net – the referee has no choice but show a yellow, silly booking.

28.00 opportunity: Arshavin finds a pocket of space on the left wing and drives a low ball across the goal, but yet again no one Arsenal players are even close to meet it – where is their striker?

28.30 opportunity: Adam tries an elaborate long chip as he sees Szczesny off his line – a decent effort but the keeper had it covered as he watched it float over.

29.50 opportunity: Frimpong recovers the clearance and drives a fantastic effort from 30 yards, forcing a huge save from Reina – great effort from the debutant.

34.50 opportunity: Nasri beats 2 players in a cross-field run and strikes a dangerous effort which goes a yard wide of Reina’s right post – best effort of the match so far.

38.30 opportunity: Downing takes it upon himself to smash an effort similar to his belter last week – but it goes flying by Szczesny’s left post.

43.57 yellow card: Frimpong continues entertaining the crowd with another surging run that is stopped by a shirt pull from Lucas, yellow card!

44.40 opportunity: Van Persie lines up a free kick at the end of the half, but it’s deflected for a corner. Nasri swings it in and Reina punches the ball clear.

46.51 opportunity: Nasri scampers away with the ball and puts his foot through the ball sending it high and wide.

Half-time score: Arsenal 0 – 0 Liverpool

1st half synopsis

As the teams go in for half-time, Wenger will be incredibly worried as his squad is depleted further with Koscielny leaving the field early in the half. Nevertheless, Arsenal have played relatively well for a squad full of youngsters and Frimpong has settled in nicely, despite his early yellow card and over-eagerness. Arshavin is having a very poor game, with numerous miss-hits; plenty of turnovers and off passes. Walcott has been silent too as the rest of his team are finding it very difficult to bring him into the game. Nasri on the other hand, has looked incredibly dangerous, it’s a shame he might not be an Arsenal player for much longer.

Liverpool would feel that this is a perfect opportunity to nab points from Arsenal but no clear chances as of yet despite a couple of headers. Perhaps bringing on Suarez in the second half will be the key to unlocking Szczesny’s goal. Downing has seemed eager to contribute and the same goes for Adam. Jose Enrique continues to impress down the left flank and his efforts will surely please King Kenny. Carroll will certainly feel he could use his height and experience against youngster Miquel as Vermaelen has been more than a match by shutting him down.

2nd half

53.46 opportunity: Adam slides a ball through to Carroll but the wet conditions move the ball away from the forward who proceeds to pull the ball back and allow Kelly to but his boot through it – narrowly wide, a great attempt.

61.20 opportunity: Downing swings in a nice cross that Carroll tries to meet but Vermaelen is his equal putting it out for a corner. The corner is met Szczesny’s fist and the second ball is scooped by the Polish keeper.
67.30 opportunity: Arshavin pushes Kelly over in the box – while Liverpool are screaming for a free kick Van Persie drives it low, Reina saves with his feet pushing it out for a corner. The resulting corner is cleared.

69.20 red card: We all knew it was coming, Frimpong dives in rashly against Lucas and picks up his second yellow – huge problems for Arsenal.

70.00 substitute: Andy Carroll makes way for the Uruguayan master Suarez, will he be able to unlock the wounded Arsenal? Raul Meireles also takes Kuyt’s place, clearly Liverpool going for the win here.

71.00 substitute: Lansbury comes on for Arshavin who is replaced for a defensively minded player to try and see this draw out.

73.00 opportunity: Suarez is slid in and his shot is met by a sprawled Szczesny, good goalkeeping.

74.00 opportunity: Downing darts down the left flank and lets loose a shot that Szczesny parries over the bar.

76.30 opportunity: Vermaelen who has been outstanding at the back, decides to go for a long run and lashes an effort just wide of Reina’s goal, fair play for the effort

77.16 goal: Meireles chips a ball into the box which flicks up off of Miquel and into Ramsey’s face, proceeding to float over Szczesny’s head and into the back of the net – you have to feel sorry for Arsenal.
79.00 substitute: Walcott makes way for Bendtner, Arsenal have nothing to lose!

86.23 opportunity: Meireles has a pop from a good Adam set up, he should be hitting the target.

87.48 yellow card: Lansbury picks up a card for his challenge on Adam who goes flying through the air.

89.58 goal: Suarez slots in to an open net thanks to Meireles who unselfishly passes the ball across goal. Liverpool will be incredibly happy with their first win in this Premier League campaign.  

Final Score: Arsenal 0 – 2 Liverpool

2nd half synopsis

Although the obvious squad issues Arsenal are facing, there was a period of time here where Arsenal found some fluidity and seemed quite dangerous. Their best player was without doubt Frimpong who put in an excellent shift in the middle of the park and rallied his teammates.

Unfortunately his sending off seriously changed the tide of the game and a host of fresh legs from Liverpool’s bench broke Arsenal as an unfortunate own goal by Ramsey and a Suarez goal secure 3 points for Liverpool. Undoubtedly looking at squad experience and the red card, Liverpool were deserving winners here.

It seems that Wenger will have no choice but to strengthen his squad in the remaining transfer window time as these injuries and suspensions will make the next few games an absolute nightmare for the Gunners. Liverpool on the other hand should continue playing this squad and let them gel together – this win will surely strengthen their resolve as they strive to be top competitors once again.

Star player: Jose Enrique put in a fantastic shift at left back considering this was only his second game for Liverpool. Theo Walcott’s name was hardly mentioned which is a testament to Enrique’s fantastic work ethic, while at the same time he was always present during Liverpool’s offensive excursions.

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