Suarez 5', Henderson 60', Giroud 64', Walcott 67'
Att: 60,089
It's good to be back.
One of the biggest shocks of the evening took place before the game, when Jamie Carragher was confirmed as part of the starting XI for Liverpool. I naturally went with Arsenal for my pre-match prediction, but in essence both teams were so evenly-matched going into the game. It would be close.
So to the game, and the early passages of the game were scrappy. Both teams seemed to be sprinting all over the pitch, pinging balls left, right and centre, but no real finesse was on show. Out of the blue, however, the first goal came within the first 5 minutes. The much maligned LUIS SUAREZ scored with a healthy deflection, ending a spurt of senselessness for the Arsenal defence. A kick in the heels for Wenger and his side.
Arsenal looked to respond quickly, with Walcott volleying against Reina after being played through beautifully. On first instincts, one could expect Theo to score from such a promising position.
That was as good as it got for the first ten minutes, as Arsenal were clearly shaken by the early goal. They nearly conceded a second when Sturridge flashed wide, on his weaker foot. What followed from the resultant goal-kick was pure folly by Arsenal no.1 Wojciech Szczęsny, who attempted a Cruyff turn to deter the presence of Sturridge, only to see his trick backfire almost momentously. The chance snuffled out, but the Arsenal fans were clearly disgusted, and let their feelings known in no uncertain terms. Still, at least the Liverpool fans were happy, and who can't help but commend them; they paid just over 60 quid, and by golly did they make a noise!
The game whirred on and Arsenal dug deeper to find a goal, and they were nearly rewarded for their efforts, Theo Walcott's finely curled shot palmed away by Pepe Reina; replays showed it was heading for the back of the net. It seemed that Liverpool were rather comfortable with snuffing out Arsenal's attacks, but in reality all the Gunners needed was a more clinical finish to properly threaten the Reds' defence.
The game seemed to prematurely wither from then on, and it was clear to see that the game was lacking in quality. One could be forgiven for tuning into El Clasico in La Liga instead. The latter stages of the first half were marked by the substitution of Santos, replacing the injured Kieran Gibbs. And that's Santos by the way of an overweight, clumsy and often lazy player, not the team.
The first half ended disappointingly. So disappointing that the majority of Arsenal fans vented their frustrations at the quickly departing players. There is little more to be said about the first half other than dull, dreary and grey, much like a lethargic old man reminiscing greater days.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first half. Appalling lack of skill and discipline. What's more, Arsenal were fortunate not to concede a penalty when skipper Thomas Vermaelen handled within the first 5 minutes, Brendan Rodgers side were left to feel aggrieved. A less convincing penalty appeal from the Arsenal team was also waved away, Podolski seemingly going to ground too easily.The Arsenal fans rallied the team on, and in truth it was a long time coming; they really had nothing to sing about in the first half.
And the breakthrough nearly happened in an instant. Podolski sent in a peach of a cross, and Theo Walcott met it with his head, only managing to divert it over. In fairness, Walcott is not renowned for his head ability, but this was a chance he really should have put away; under relatively no pressure, it was a simple lack of clinical finishing that let the young Englishman down. Still, the game chugged on, but Arsenal were looking confident, playing with a bit of purpose, for once.
And as quickly as Arsenal started to look positive, Liverpool scored again. JORDAN HENDERSON weaved and weaved and weaved through the Arsenal defence, and was eventually presented with a shooting opportunity which he did not pass up. 3,000 scousers sent into delirium, Henderson wheeled away in delight. It was a sad reflection on Arsenal's performance thus far. A bit of incisiveness can work wonders, and Arsenal simply hadn't been anything like that so far.
Panic stations all around at the Emirates. As it stood, Liverpool were looking comfortable. Where was the spark to come from?
And then the deadlock was broken. A simple, no-nonsense set piece, finished exquisitely by OLIVIER GIROUD, Arsenal were back in the game with 25 minutes to play. Giroud, who had looked quiet for much of the game, rosehigher than his marker to head home brilliantly (Theo Walcott take note), his goal following his brace at Brighton in the cup.
And yet again, before the Reds had time to catch their breath, Arsenal came roaring back. Some lovely link up play followed by a keen flick-on from Giroud found THEO WALCOTT, who rifled his shot into the bottom corner, his 18th of the season. 2-2. The Arsenal fans were in disbelief. All of a sudden, the team they'd seen play such lacklustre football had come out hammered home two absolute beauties in the space of 3 minutes. It has been commented that Arsenal are very much a second-half team, and as a result of Giroud's goal, the team really woke up.
It was so nearly three in the 70th minute, Theo Walcott zipping a shot just wide, on his weaker foot.
Brendan Rodgers must have been feeling the bite of a resurgent Arsenal, opting to replace Sturridge with Jose Enrique, an extra defender.
And in no time, the game drew to a close, both teams showing plenty of scrap. Of course, the imponderable blunder from Andre Santos was unmissable. In no less than the 94th minute, his reluctance and buffoonery on the ball presented an opportunity for Luis Suarez, with time to move. The chance fizzled out, Bacary Sagna clearing, but it was yet another example of Andre Santos as a weak link of Arsenal defence. It just goes to show how Arsenal's defence is still weak, and perhaps it's time Wenger showed more ambitiousness in the January transfer window.
Time will tell, maybe Wenger will sign someone, you never know! Arsenal remain in 6th place following Everton's 2-1 victory against the Baggies, though the Gunners can take solace in the result at Carrow Road. Norwich 1-1 Tottenham, further dropped points for Andre Villas-Boas's side, every game matters now.
Once again, it's good to be back.
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