An away day at Liverpool is always huge. More so over the past half-decade. Liverpool is an institution, Anfield is a legendary stadium, and Klopp is a top 3 manager in the world.
The stage is set.
Mikel Arteta usually underplays our chances, but the talk was a little different in his press conference.
He’s talking about confidence in the camp, he’s pumping his players, and he’s making no excuses about the expectations that are being put on Arsenal.
We are going to Anfield to win because that’s what Arsenal Football Club is all about.
This game isn’t a litmus test, people need to move away from that sort of chat… it’s a chance to land a blow on a club that has standards we want to reach.
Since boxing day, we’ve accrued more points than Liverpool. What does that tell you? That they are beatable. Klopp’s side has lost a bit of that invincibility force-field this season. They aren’t quite hitting the heights as consistently as they were a couple of seasons ago. There are vulnerabilities in their system.
The main difference? Huge experience and a 5th gear that we don’t have yet. Both teams at 100% and we’re on the back foot.
So what do we need to see?
A smart game plan executed with maximum focus
Our problem against Chelsea and City was that we conceded inside 15 minutes both times. We can’t afford to do that against a Liverpool side we know will come flying out the traps.
I’d love a fast start, but it’s questionable whether that’s the right approach against Liverpool. A game right after the break might take some time to feel our way into. It might be sharp to just be in the match after 20 minutes and work our way into the game by growing with time.
There needs to be a plan for Mo Salah, the best player in the world right now. We need to have ideas for Liverpool’s wide players. We should be set up to counter-attack at speed, because Liverpool have been leaving openings. We have to play a high line and confidently play around their brutal press when it comes.
Arteta said the weakness in the side was that as a team, we don’t have enough collective experience yet. Let’s be clear, this new group of players hasn’t felt pain together yet. We are unbeaten since our new defence was formed. There’s no record of how we’ll react to a battering from Liverpool. That makes this game interesting for a whole host of reasons.
This is a big moment for the project. Lose, well, we expected it and we’ll have to hope the team can bounce back quickly. Come away with a point or more and we’ll really start to believe something might be brewing early.
I’m very excited. I feel confident we can compete. This is a test we could pass, I haven’t felt that way about a Liverpool game in a while. So let’s see where it goes.
See you in the comments. Join for an OTW podcast right after the game!
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I wanted solid, we got meek. We pulled our own pants down and got a good old rogering!
Midwestgun I agree. Our strikers are the oldest players in our team at the moment and I think that is showing.
The olodo was throwing fit on the sideline as if he came into this game with a plan. What have we executed today? If there’s actually a game plan, I ain’t seeing it. Saka must not play full 90 minutes, Auba must not, no player must. Substitute as the game calls for it and not as you have planned before the game
Gone to pieces. Sad end.
Our heads dropped once that second goal was conceded
That’s not on any one chitchatting on legrove
This was another test for Arteta and again he has blown it again
This scorecard is embarrassing to be honest. Yeah it’s Anfield but 4 goals and counting is not acceptable.
“I see the bedwetters are out in force already….”
Well it’s up to Mikel to sub them off then isn’t it?
Liverpool fighting for their manager. Suddenly game is upped 2 degrees
This wasn’t the way. We are too inexperienced. We should have shithoused better. 343 was the way to go. Now it is going to be a climb to get our confidence back.
Brighton could easily have won at Anfield.
We were in the game the first half but the second has been a chastening experience. We really do have an inferiority complex playing here, similar to the mid 90s to the early 00s
Arsenal have really lacked quality in the final third. But that second goal the Tavares give away turned this game completely away from us.
Someone mentioned earlier on about when we concede first we always lose, turns out they are right.
Our record really is shit against Liverpool of late.
Suppose we can add city and Chelsea to that as well
Normal service resumed.
Why can’t we press the way liverpool does ?
Urination on the Gooner nation
Tavares has played like an idiot this half, and the whole side capitulated and its the typical Anfield rout. Hopefully we regroup fast.
Aubameyang doesn’t offer enough for me.
He really doesnt
Agreed. The game turned after Artetas tantrum.
I know it’s hindsight but playing two at the back against their three attackers was always the wrong thing. But Arteta is a reactive manager rather than a proactive one.
I think all the teams that have done well against Liverpool have matched three at the back against them allowing the fullbacks to push their fullbacks.
Liverpool were bad for a patch and that’s when these westhams and Brighton gave them a go. Nobody seems to consider form these days. They have a much better team than us and would always whip us on a good day. That’s the reality. We just need to bounce back.
It’s clear from the first half that our midfield is no match for theirs. They were finding spaces down the centre and flanks from the beginning and the spaces they found got bigger as the game wore on. Saka and ESR look tired. Plus I can’t see our game suiting Auba. At this point, maybe worthwhile to give one of our young strikers top game experience
I’m sorry… 4 goals conceded aren’t great but the truth is 3 of them were scored and or created by a player who should not even be on the pitch… in Mane.
He should have been sent off in the first half.
The score line flatters Liverpool. They exploited our mistakes that’s all.
No need for the panic or doomsday button.
No reason we should be renewing Lacazettes contract too, th idea is to move on to the next level with our young crop of players and Laca shouldn’t be a part of that plan.
More focus on our attack needed in subsequent windows. We just don’t score enough goals and teams like that never do or win anything of note
17 goals conceded in 12 games? If not for Ramsdale, that nummer would have been at least the double! White was shite today, and no way worth the 50 millions we pause for him!
No top team will lose four at Anfield. We made it so easy for them as their defence have been rubbish all season.
Also we hate to admit it but we simply cannot match the quality of Mane and Salah. Both world class.
And how Alexander Arnold doesn’t play for England I’ll never know.
Our pressing is awful from the front
Well that’s it then.
Shit.
I know there is a lot of work to do. And that’s both for the team and the manager.
But, I can’t help but think what this team under an experienced manager what it could do.
I just hope this doesn’t end up like a cricket score comes the final whistle. 🙈
Oh well, Oz won yet another World Cup final this week, I can’t have everything 😛
El Neny. More dregs from the bottom of our talent barrel. I guess we are missing Xhaka
Well that’s a second half to forget. Lose concentration, make a mistake against this Liverpool team & you’ll get punished.
Hope the young boys learn from this.
How have we not been able to score tho?
All the good work in the first half pretty much undone. Pool are putting in some dude who looks 12 years old.
Elneny on?
Can’t fault the effort but the quality has been lacking today (excepting Ramsdale). Still in with a chance of fourth though, no one team has really stood out for that last CL place.
The Sauce has curdled.
Elmeny for Partey
wtf at this stage?
Morton will fancy his chances of his first goal
We will be fine and move on from this game and get back to normal next game. Not ideal but it is the reality at present.
Unlucky to be losing at half time but we really do our best to shoot ourselves in the foot. We never really go for it or shut up shop and that ends in 4-5 nil
Bang average side with a bang average manager.
We prob need to move away from our strikers too. They don’t offer near enough of anything
The biggest concern with our team is when l we’ve only scored 7 goals from open play.
Batistuta
Yea, taking about extending Laca’’s contract is foolish.
He’s never been good enough since he came despite his best efforts.
And we’ve brought On El and they brought academy player 😂
Partey needs to be benched when he is fully fit to let him know how poor he is.
Auba needs to go. Thank you for the service!
Am I a bedwetter for not seeing any game plan today? Write down the answer on a A4 paper, roll it and shove it up where the sun don’t shine.
Men vs boys today. Experience vs inexperience. Let’s pick up and move on.
Your right Crabregas but that doed not make it any easier to watch
City, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Brighton, West Ham, Spurs under Conte won’t lose by 4 goals at Anfield, a really poor result this one.
Tbh all I just want is someone wearing an Arsenal shirt to score. Just a consolation hopefully.
Again final ball lacked any kind of quality.
Minameno the useless we manger to make him look like Zidane
Still not seeing anything from Odegaard, anonymous again.
Gazzap
Alexander Arnold played vs Sam Marino and got 3 assists.
At least we have Man United coming up!
Arteta is going nowhere. This game is as good as a bye from the board, the next few games will tell us more. One thing we don’t have at the club is Captain material. We have no leaders when the shit hits the fan.
TR7
We crumbled because we are too inexperienced. There will be shit results. We respected them too much. I think we will get better in the future. The pressure tonight though was too much.
Let’s get some perspective here. Horrible score line yes, but imagine being a Raporta, Benjamin, Spanish Dave or Gnarley George and suddenly the world doesn’t appear so awful
The Bedwetters have. returned, but 4th is still on
The arteta bullshit train should pipe the fuck down, this is embarrassing. Odegard….what a total cunt.
A good test of who’s ready and who’s still developing. Tavares was good against weaker opposition but clearly not ready to play against the big boys.. Sambi maybe more ready than Nuno but still needs time. We clearly need a another solid midfielder. They’re a young team and there will be more games like this as they grow together but as long as we see improvement from there youngsters I’m okay with the direction the team is taking
Gotta say. Why the heck are we bringing on our Mo, the inferior Mo, on? He’s trying to bring control and mitigate the game at 4-0?
I’m a little concerned for Nuno’s passing percentage.
This is just one of those days, we played the one of the best teams in Europe. It is how this young reacts to this defeat from Liverpool that matters now. Definitely we need to work on keeping teams offside and have more stronger strikers come the next time we play Anfield. ANy criticism towards Arteta regarding his altercation with Klopp at HT is over the top. It is quite normal for Managers to show emotion on the touchline. And this regardless of wether it is a home or away game. . Arsenal will be back, this young team needs… Read more »
We set ourselves up for this disappointment daring to dream that we would hive them a game, but I’m sure we will roll our socks up and give it everything next week. COYG
The fucking easiest game of the season for Liverpool. We didn’t even given them a game.
Shame.
Sam = San
Then again this could be a secret reference to Fat Sam.
San Marino is just about his level.
“”The Bedwetters have. returned, but 4th is still on””
I see you after long time. How have you been?
As expected,turned off when Elneny was brought on.
Why not try Martinelli,as the game had already gone.
Not really bothered by the result,they are further along their project than us.
Ramsdale was very good,I dont see what our strikers really offer,I also think Saka could be a bit better.
Oh well,onwards.
Yep AA only plays against the likes of Sam Marino. He won’t play a proper competitive game when James and Walker are available.
It’s 2021 and we can still field a midfield of Elneny and AMN and a strike force of Auba and Lacazette. 😒
Good thing we play Newcastle next
Wheels fell off after artetas spat with klopp. That was petulant and should never have happened.
Brownie I thought the same about Nuno and Sambi, especially how they look against weaker teams vs better ones.
I hope this will be the exception for Nuno, and not the rule.
Imagine what would have happened today without Ramsdale.
Decent first half. Fell apart in the 2nd.
Light years behind Pool, no matter how much we spend.
Men against Omebas
Ole will hope he can hold on till next week. Arteta will hand him a new lease of life.
Great tackle on Mane by White. I like that attitude.
Why not Martinelli?
Odegard…32 million, let that sink in. Fucking coward of a player.
Sorry folks I must have missed Saka impact today
Ahhh Fuck.. that was depressing.. I knew it was gonna be tough to win anything since we havent done in like 10 years there. But seemed like Teta’s rage fired up Pool and unsettled us, it was all downhill from there. Unfortunately.. Have to see now how we recover from this.
Left…..
Exactly, we will never move on with Arteta.
Two old has been up front, and a nonexistent midfield,.
Wheels fell off after artetas spat with klopp. That was petulant and should never have happened
100%
Mane free header, Jota with a well taken finish but got an assist from Tavares. Two goals that absolutely killed us that we should have done better with.
However at that point we should be mature, be tight and if a goal comes then great. If not it’s ok, there are ways to lose.
The team needs to mature and this result will only help that. We need to go on another run now.
Come on you gunners!!
I dont agree with Carra there. Regardless of Arteta’s reaction on the touchline, liverpool fans will still raise the tempo of their support.
2 goals were from our own mistakes. Could have been 7 nil but could also have been 2 nil. A bad day at the office. Let’s move on and keep climbing the table.
We are not competing against Liverpool… Disappointed but it is where we are at the mo… dust ourselves off and on to the next.
Well said crab
COYG!!!!!!
2 weeks we waited for that shit, thanks Arteta.
Can’t stand that smug mug Owen.
Wouldn’t be the first time we struggled against the top teams but did enough in the rest of the games to sneak fourth. Latter day Wenger made a habit of it. Better see a reaction next time out though.
Arteta is just the managerial equivalent of Elneny. With better PR.
I’m over that defeat already.
they only get 3 points
Class Klopp and Tets shook hands end of game.
BAD result and not ready for prime time. I agree with the statements lacking a leader. Pickup the pieces and get ready for Newcastle.
Haven’t been reading the comments here tonight.. But Pedro must tackle the pink elephant in the room.. Arteta’s in game management is terrible.. How are you watching our last 2 games and thinking that keeping Auba on is the way to go?
Must be really hard for Eddie and Martinelli to see floundering Laca and Auba picked ahead of them all the time. If we are going young then let’s go full throttle. Auba and Laca don’t do it for me now. I backed them in the summer but it’s time to cut loose of them.
Cant wait for the “after Christmas” table!.
Afcon could be a blessing or a curse? No Auba?
At Arsenal 4-0 is not sackable.
It might be different at 7-2.
Our standards are lowered
For the spat, nothing was wrong in my opinion. May be next time, Laca and Auba and Partey show us why they need to wear that shirt.
Ramsdale – take a bow son.
Gabriel / White – Massive.
Nuno, Sambi gonna learn over time – no problem.
Where the fuck were our 3 senior players? Ffs. Bench em all. Make that average age of 24, 21 I’m okay with that. We are losing 4-0 ffs, with a negative goal difference after 12 matches.
What a pathetic display that was. Reality smacks the Artetasexuals in the face yet again.
Arteta out