“For me, one of the highlights of yesterday’s game was the unanimous chanting of Sir Tom Finney’s name by both the Arsenal and Liverpool fans. Most of these fans have never seen him play, yet they respect him because of the legendary stories they have heard about him. It’s moments like these that reinforce my belief in the unifying force of the Beautiful Game.”
– Parth Rajwade, Football Paradise
Arsenal were coming back from a drab game against the red of Manchester and a drubbing from Liverpool. On the other hand, the reds were coming back from a resilient performance at Craven Cottage and against Arsenal, arguably an exhibition the best football we’ve seen at Anfield.
As promised, Brendan Rodgers fielded a strong side last night at the Emirates with only a few changes; Kolo Toure replaced by Agger, who was returning from injury, Henderson benched because of a wrist injury and Brad Jones replacing Simon Mignolet in goal. Kolo Toure needed some time off, especially after committing two high profile errors in the space of a fortnight.
On the other hand, Yaya Sanogo who had previously just played 38 mins for Arsneal made his debut, taking up Olivier Giroud’s place in the starting lineup who sensationally confessed cheating on his wife just an hour before the game. Wenger was taking none of this and decided he won’t be scoring on the pitch (too*) today.
Liverpool started the better of the two side and took the game to Arsenal. The Gunners, however, drew first blood in the 16th minute as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finished from the scraps of a good defensive block by Gerrard.
Liverpool responded well, with Sturridge at the center of the action. Once, speeding beyond Mertesacker to get on the end of a Gerrard through ball which was saved by Fabianski. The other, at the end of a Suarez lob, to which, Sturridge only managed to find the side-netting.
Liverpool ended the first half on a strong note but were undone by Arsenal’s lightning quick attack at the start of the 2nd half. Good man Özil decided to split open Liverpool’s defence by slotting Chamberlain through who spotted Podolski’s run and pulled it back for the German international to double Arsenal’s lead.
Its a big sucker punch when you go out afresh in the second half only to start off by conceding a goal. It looked like a day when everything Arsenal touched turned to goal whereas Liverpool’s continued efforts were saved.
Given the way events unfolded, I thought Liverpool could have switched off due to Arsenal’s ruthless efficiency in front of goal. However, Liverpool kept the momentum going and Podolski’s foul on Luis Suarez paved a way for Liverpool to get back in the game. Steven Gerrard stepped up and, Steven Gerrard scored.
Daniel Agger too, missed another golden opportunity to equalize at the end as he failed to guide his header into the open net. Fabianksi denied Suarez twice, Sturridge thrice; most notably a fabulous save once while Sturridge was breathing down on his goal.
It can be argued that the 2nd foul on Suarez was a penalty (personally feel it was a stone-wall penalty) but so was Gerrard’s second yellow, which Webb waived off. We’ve seen it so many times that a referee let goes of an event to compensate the other decision. Poor refereeing nonetheless.
“Liverpool are out of the FA Cup because ‘weak’ Webb refused to award clear penalty. Webb with his experience and pedigree, should do better.”
-Graham Poll
A few shouts for Yaya Sanogo and Raheem Sterling. Both were immense for their respective teams. Sanogo’s performance for a debut was calm and composed. His also imposed his physical presence in the box despite facing Agger and Skrtel. Joe Allen had an off-coloured game which was a bit worrying. He has failed to do so in a handful of games now. His flaws are exposed even more when the midfield lacks Hendo’s engine. (Giroud had a bad game too, when he came on in the 69th* minute)
Liverpool 5 – 1 Arsenal
Arsenal 2 – 1 Liverpool
Although, I do agree that we, perhaps, were hard done by Howard Webb today on couple of occasions, spare a thought for Arsenal. It is a show of impeccable character and strength for a team who were coming back from a hammering from a relentless Liverpool side. It requires monumental mental strength to face a team who shred you to pieces only 8 days ago. Especially for a team which is so young, deserves praise.
Irrespective of how the result panned out, the two teams at the Emirates today continued to display good, progressive, attacking football throughout 90 minutes; a display which always satiates the football fan in me. Meanwhile, you’d most likely have to endure a few Gunner revenge taunts for a few days but Liverpool will go on to play Swansea next and Arsenal play Bayern. Here is where it makes a difference. Going out of the FA Cup is not a good excuse to focus on the league but with a squad as thin as 14 dependable 1st team players, it can only be good for Liverpool pour all their energy and focus on the holy grail.
From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, we won the right one of the Liverpool vs Arsenal ties, didn’t we?
Gaurang is a part of the @Football_P family. You can follow him at @TheTotalLFC
