Arsenal vs Liverpool match analysis.
THREAD.
THREAD.
The game started off in a toe-to-toe manner with Arsenal pressing Liverpool right from the start.
Their pressing structure resembled a 4-2-3-1/3-4-1-2 zonal and man-to-man press against Liverpool’s 2-4-4 build-up.
Their pressing structure resembled a 4-2-3-1/3-4-1-2 zonal and man-to-man press against Liverpool’s 2-4-4 build-up.
When the ball was shifted to the right, Saka would press Van Dijk, with White ready to back up the press if the pass went to Tsimikas. Odegaard covered the ball-side midfielder (Thiago).
While the rest of the back-line shifted across, leaving Henderson as the spare man.
While the rest of the back-line shifted across, leaving Henderson as the spare man.
When the ball was on the LHS, Jesus remained on Matip, and Saka tucked in to cover Thiago. Odegaard shifted to the ball-side midfielder this time Henderson and now Van Dijk is the spare man.
Here, is an example of the mixture of zonal pressing (Henderson spare man) and man-marking on the flanks.
Here, we see how Liverpool struggles to play through Arsenal's press.
Arsenal score a magnificent goal from their first attack but later Liverpool start to gain control and this stat told the story.
Arsenal had to get out by playing on the counter at times and they didn't initially set up to play that way. It's just that Liverpool was forcing Arsenal back and Arsenal needed to relieve that pressure.
As expected within Liverpool's change to the 4-4-2, their goal was to get their forwards as close as possible and to give Nunez more license to run the channels, especially on Arsenal's LHS.
To prevent this, like against Liverpool and Spurs last season Martinelli dropped deep at times to make it a back 5 for Arsenal to deny that space so Tomiyasu wouldn't get overloaded as he was dealing with Salah.
Then Liverpool scores and it's through a mistake by Gabriel in which he has no business missing that ball, terrible goal to concede.
Again, Gabriel makes the same mistake but he isn't punished as the offside flag goes up.
When Arsenal are just able to regain control of the ball, it's beautiful to watch. Look at the distribution from Ramsdale to find Jesus out wide and how he then turns Trent. Odegaard has to find White on the overlap imo.
Way too sloppy from Partey, no need to be that aggressive and play that pass.
Arsenal scores another brilliant goal, this time on the counter. Overall Liverpool slightly better first half, but didn’t create a lot of high-quality chances with their possession.
But the way Arsenal came out in the second half, I couldn't believe my eyes. Odegaard has to play Saka there, but a constant theme you’ll see is Gabriel playing those long balls over the top to Martinelli.
Arteta went with a more aggressive approach in the second half and went more man-to-man. This time Henderson was no longer the spare man in midfield and Xhaka stepped out to pressure him.
Smart decision.
Smart decision.
Even though Arsenal gained more control and possession in the second half, they were still blistering on the counter and provided a massive threat to Liverpool.
It was clear to see from the beginning Liverpool’s RHS was seen as an area of weakness.
It was clear to see from the beginning Liverpool’s RHS was seen as an area of weakness.
Partey’s duel-winning and second-ball dominance was an important reason why Arsenal dominated Liverpool in the second half.
It’s incredible what we’re witnessing here.
It’s incredible what we’re witnessing here.
White makes this happen, look at his running power and his ball carrying into space. Then Xhaka underlaps at the end of the play, I wish the clip didn’t cut out his cross.
Unfortunately, I’m running low on storage so I couldn’t quite get it.
Unfortunately, I’m running low on storage so I couldn’t quite get it.
Look at some of the crosses Xhaka is putting in from out wide. His improvement in the left #8 role is getting better and better as the days go by.
It’s debatable if it’s a pen or not, but I mean this play deserves a goal I mean surely.
It’s debatable if it’s a pen or not, but I mean this play deserves a goal I mean surely.
It was a very entertaining game and the second half from Arsenal showed how great this team can be.
Arteta went for the win and Arsenal showed that in their pressing, intensity, sustained pressure, and dominance. Klopp brought off Salah and went for the draw at the end.
Arteta went for the win and Arsenal showed that in their pressing, intensity, sustained pressure, and dominance. Klopp brought off Salah and went for the draw at the end.
The win wasn’t in any way undeserved as the quality of chances Arsenal created were of a much greater substance compared to Liverpool’s.
Anyways, end-of-thread hopefully you enjoyed reading it & any feedback is greatly appreciated!
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