Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
England v France in Euro 2004 with a few minutes to go, Steven Gerrard blindly passed the ball back to James, not seeing the lurking Thierry Henry, who was hauled down, giving France an unexpected victory from the penalty. It was 1-1 then as well.
Very strange symmetry here as history repeated itself with a lot of similarities.
Arsenal started where they’d left off on Wednesday – full of zip, passing fast and attacking spaces. The crowd did too and were much more vocal.
Good to see Gerrard and Henry chatting in the tunnel – lots of mutual respect there – like there is overall between these good old historic English teams.
Liverpool, although looking physically bigger than Arsenal as a team, looked jaded.
An early Adebayor, Ljungberg and Henry link up, saw the Togo forward sky a chance from the Frenchman’s cross.
For those partying the night before – Reina‘s bright yellow outfit was positively migraine making.
What is it about Gilberto? Like an old car engine and twists of the ignition key, it take a couple of mistakes or misdirected passes to get him going.
Adebayor – looks sharper by the match. A major feature of this game was his long reach, his instant control, ability to retain possession and get out of tight situations.
The other major impact player for Arsenal was Hleb. He has improved since coming back from injury – gaining a yard, more able to hold on to the ball and fitting into the team pattern. Like the Madrid game – he produced an outstanding display of inside forward play. His play has an uncanny resemblance to George Eastham. He had an early chance on seven.
Arsenal dominated and on 21 Fabregas sent an ideal ball between Carragher and Finnan and Henry took a couple of touches, opened his right foot to slot past Reina in the far corner.
Crouch had a chance on 30, from a Finnan cross from the right, much like Ronaldo’s on Wednesday but he headed wide of the far upright. But it seemed to spark more Liverpool chances.
But not before Eboue burst through on a run, exchanged passes with Adebayor and instead of shooting into the goal, opted to pass to Pires and the ball was cleared by Finnan.
Alonso tried a snap half volley from a knock-down which was inches wide. Garcia tried an overhead, and Gerrard shot narrowly wide. It was clear 1-0 was not enough against players of this calibre.
Toure injured himself with a flying tackle on Garcia – but after prolonged treatment got up.
Harry Kewell replaced Kronkamp at half-time, and played in a 4-3-3, but the second started as the first ended – with Adebayor showing close control, and Pires Hleb and Henry performing a scissors move, with the latter shooting just wide.
Hleb then set Henry free – but he shot straight at Reina.
Eboue went on a trademark dribble and a clumsy challenge from Hamann in the area resulted in just a corner.
Bergkamp replaced Adebayor on 68 – with an ovation for the Togo forward. And soon Hleb was darting down the right wing and setting up the Dutchman, who blasted over.
Senderos‘s distribution was off key at times – but what he lacks in finesse, he makes up for in committment – and as in the Real Madrid game his determination got him to the ball first on several occasions. One incident he challenged for the ball and from a heap of six arms and legs [four Liverpool and two Arsenal] he emerged with it.
Fabregas who was having a good game was bundled over in the middle of the park on 76, but referee Steve Bennett allowed play to go on. Gerrard advanced closer to the area and let fly a low piledriver, which Lehmann could only parry up. Garcia was first to the dropping ball before Toure.
A sinking feeling made its way round Highbury. Arsenal had dominated – and the loss of two points was a serious blow.
It was getting as nervy as Real Madrid, as long balls pumped as well as short balls dinked into Arsenal’s area over Toure and Senderos from second phase play.
However Liverpool suffered a counter blow, when Alonso got a second booking for a tackle on Flamini.
And then Gerrard suffered his aberration on 83. Henry danced round Reina and fired home to level with van Nistelroy as the Premiership’s leading scorer on 19.
After that Arsenal could have made it three when Henry and Pires fashioned a chance, with the latter hitting a post. And a Henry free kick was saved low down by the Spaniard.
Incidentally, talking of fashion – Sol Campbell and Abu Diaby were either side of the tunnel sporting black hooded numbers ( reminiscent of Name of the Rose) while Freddie looked like he was wearing a tea-cosy, or a Paris fashion item, depending on which side of the fashion fence you sit.
Wenger said: “We deserved to win. We took our chances. We were more fluent and mobile than Liverpool. At 1-1 it was a blow and I though they might score. But then they got a blow and it looked like we could win.”
Thierry Henry agreed: “We deserved to win.”
Wenger added: “There was a lot at stake. We responded well after Wednesday in a great way.”
A couple of elderly geezers walked down the steps of the West Stand. One said to the other: “I’m so disappointed to see Liverpool play like that. They’ve produced so many good teams over the years.”
Arsenal: Lehmann, Senderos, Eboue, Toure, Gilberto, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Ljungberg (Pires 15), Henry, Adebayor (Bergkamp 68). Subs not used:Almunia, Djourou, Song
Liverpool: Reina Hyypia, Kromkamp (Kewell 45) Finnan, Carragher, Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann (Fowler 73), Warnock, García, Crouch. Subs not used: Dudek, Traore, Morientes