The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool was a gigantic clash in the opening week of the Premier League as the Anfield side through the inspiration of German Coach Jürgen Klopp masterminded another defeat at the Emirates despite the absence of talented forward Daniel Sturridge who was missing in action in crucial tie.
It is said that when two big elephants at a war it is the grass the stuffers it most as the Emirate turf entertained one of the top clash of the season that will be remembered from many reason as Arsenal Wenger watched on in dissatisfaction following a 3-4 home defeat in the hand of the visiting Liverpool who are still a work in progress under Jürgen Klopp beginning from the last season.
As regards to Arsenal defeat in the hands of Liverpool we ponder what might have been for the Gunners as we evaluate the five lessons we learnt from the interesting encounter.
WORLD CLASS COUNTINHO
Petr Cech of Arsenal dives in vain trying to keep out Philippe Coutinho's free-kick.
With the Gunners dominating early exchange with the dynamic movement of Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey all behind talismanic forward Alexis Sanchez it has to be something and someone special to rescue the game for Liverpool.
Following Arsenal’s dominance saw Alex Iwobi slide in a pass for Walcott who came in from the right side of attack controlled the ball pretty well to give Arsenal the lead as half time approached.
It was Liverpool who laughed last Philippe Coutinho curled a brilliant free kick from 25 yards out into the Arsenal’s goal beyond Petr Cech’s reach prompting the match commentator to lament in ecstasy that “it has to be something special from Coutinho to beat a goalkeeper of Pet Cech’s caliber from 25 yards in goal”.
It was a magnificent free-kick as world class Coutinho brought back his Liverpool side in contention in the added time of the first period to inspire a famous win.
HAT-TRICK OF INJURIES
Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho is attended to by Arsenal's Petr Cech before going off injured.
Following Liverpool lead as Adam Lallana score to make to give his side a 2-1 advantage against Arsenal, then Arsenal fateful rallied to produce an immediate response to force themselves back into the game but in the process of hustling and tussling as regard to match tempo the youthful Iwobi pull an injury and could not continue as he was replaced by Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain who brought light into Arsenal attack.
Aaron Ramsey was again at the receiving end as he joined his Arsenal team mate Alex Iwobi in the treatment room as he walked off in agony after picking of another injury of his own without certainty of when to return to action. Philippe Coutinho completed a hat-trick of injuries after netting his second on the afternoon as the commentator was saying “it just turning into a Coutinho’s day” as he finish off a flowing move from Clyne Nathaniel cross.
It was an injury picked up when the Liverpool Star was rushing to get on to a through ball from the right with Arsenal’s back line exposed that the Brazilian fell to the ground clutching his hamstring in another form of injury as Arsenal breathed a deep sigh of relief from the looming danger.
MANE’S TELLING CONTRIBUTION
Sadio Mane celebrates a goal on his Liverpool debut by jumping on the back of manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Senegalese forward who moved over in the summer from English side Southampton following a move to England to join the saints from Red Bull Salzburg (Austrian champion) and continued from where he left off at Southampton were he scored a curling goal with his left foot against Arsenal two season ago to make it 2-0 against the Gunners at the St. Mary Stadium on the occasion with a brilliant goal against top notch goalkeeper Pet Cech as he breezed pasted the Arsenal’s defence in escort of Arsenal defense duo of Calum chambers and Nacho Monreal who could do little allowing the Liverpool new boy to shine on the occasion.
Sadio Mane:Hard-working display on his debut capped by a memorable goal and celebrations to match .
It was more of a Usain Bolt run as Mane outpaced the Arsenal duo to beat Petr Cech in goal in what was an impressive start for the Senegalese player in the days ahead as Arsenal’s woes was exposed totally.
ARSENAL DEFENSIVE VULNERABILITY
Adam Lallana fired home Liverpool's second goalto give Liverpool a 2-1 lead just after half-time.
The Arsenal side showed how good and bad they can be in different positions within the team. For the Arsenal defence, the Liverpool game was another clear evidence as regards to arsenal’s inability to deal with attacking tantrum of the opposing team.
Liverpool exploited the hole in Arsenal defence as the Gunner looked like a mid-table club. It is a reality check for the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who is so much adamant in making signing at the defensive position as the experienced manager have been loyal to players who cannot hold sway in the central defence.
At the start of the game you will wonder why little experience Chambers and Holding are doing in Arsenal’s line up in such a crucial game which have the possibility of deciding where Arsenal’s Pendulum will fall this season as the manager must seek for reinforcement as soon as possible as defender Koscielny watched on from the stands.
ARSENAL NEAR COME BACK SYNDROME
Calum Chambers celebrates scoring Arsenal's third goal as the Gunners trail Liverpool 4-3.
If you don’t know the Gunners, then take a clue as they are one of the most clubs capable of reviving the hope of their team in a context without completing it. This is not the first time it has happened and the Arsenal‘s fateful will hope it does not repeat itself again as Arsenal failed to complete the Liverpool come back to tie the game at 4-4 leaving Arsenal fans wishing what might have been if it ended 4-4.
The Gunners lost 4-0 at San Siro to AC Milan and was totally ruled out by pundits and various analyst of the game but the Gunners rallied with the magnificent performance of Robin Van Persie to make it 3-0 with so much promise for the fourth goal as Thiago Silva gifted Arsenal the third following a (very) poor clearance in the box. We can go on and on but as they say prevention is better than cure, Arsenal must improve defensively to avoid being the equalizing teams as that can be very costly this days with the tightest of defence.
Sadio Mane of Liverpool and team-mates celebrate his goal with manager Jurgen Klopp.
Finally Liverpool Klopp cannot be exonerated as they themselves was guilty of lack of concentration as Coach Klopp admitted of over celebrating during the match.
