By Dan Ferguson
In the words of Sir Alex, “Bloody hell!”
It was an appalling first half.
Arsenal were cagey, wasteful, toothless and the only thing they managed to do was only go in 1-0 down. Liverpool had chances to be very happy indeed.
The defence and midfield were dreadful in their distribution and tracking. The forwards were as normal, and that ain’t great.
Very lucky indeed to be so bad and still in the game.
The second half was crazy. It was basketball football and exhausting for all involved.
Liverpool scored again through a massive deflection off Mustafi. Then Sanchez stole in at the far post immediately and brought it back to 2-1. Xhaka almost instantly got the ball 30 yards out and smashed a hit and hope. It swerved and dipped and wobbled and Mignolet was terrible trying to punch it. Then Liverpool lost the ball from kick off again, it was knocked about a bit and a beautiful goal was constructed by Ozil and Lacazette. Ozil’s finish was sublime. Then Arsenal’s defence decided not to mark Firmino and his shot blocked by Cech looped into the net.
There were more chances in the last 20 minutes but the game had started to lose its edge and shape (if it ever had such a thing).
Apart from the collapse, Liverpool looked more focused and disciplined. But when they get all confused, their defence is a joke.
Arsenal don’t learn defensively, and that comes from the midfield. Wilshere was better going forwards today and was slower to get back in position. Xhaka was poor all round.
Bellerin has lost his threat and also his pace. Sanchez was dulled and looked slower but still hard-working. But still so erratic in possession.
Arsenal needs new players and a new manager to enliven them.
I’m sure this is shocking news to you all, but I stand by my words. This is getting all too repetitive.
Merry Christmas to all.