Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 analysis: Calum Chambers remains off pace, Brendan Rodgers nearer top combo
Five things we learnt at the Emirates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Missing backs leave big gap
When Arsenal took the field in the soaking rain, their fans could be forgiven for a rather different form of anxiety. Their two reliable centre-backs, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, the two foundations of their recent stability, their two FA Cup wins, their lockdown of the top four, were both absent.
Mertesacker and Koscielny have been automatic selections for years and, aside from Koscielny’s Achilles problem last season, always available.
The last time Arsenal had gone into a league game without either of them was three and a half years ago, back in April 2012. That was a thriller here at the Emirates, against Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic, fighting to avoid relegation. Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou played at centre-back. But Wigan scored twice in the first eight minutes – through Jordi Gomez and Franco di Santo – and won 2-1 to stay up. That was a very different era for Arsenal, back when they were almost a byword for defensive calamity and mishap. Last night was a reminder of how it used to be.
Chambers remains off pace
This has been a difficult year for Calum Chambers, after the big-money buzz of 2014. He was taken out of the Arsenal first-team firing line by Arsène Wenger and lost his place at right-back to Hector Bellerin, two months younger than even Chambers.
Wenger, clearly, was reluctant about using Chambers over the run-in last season, and this was his first start since 21 March, more than five months ago. It was unlikely to be easy, against Liverpool and Christian Benteke, but even then Chambers struggled to keep his head above water.
Chambers played Benteke onside as Philippe Coutinho hit the bar early on. He carelessly gave the ball away to Coutinho soon after. He looked nervous with the ball at his feet and lost with the ball in the air. He was even outpaced by Emre Can.
Chambers emerged for the second half, where he managed to avoid any fresh mishaps. But his earlier struggles were all too clear.
Giroud lacks finishing edge
Olivier Giroud is a hard worker and was a bargain at £10m from Montpellier. But he is not and never will be the type of modern, mobile No 9 needed to beat the best opposition. This has been abundantly clear for some time and, by the end of last season, Wenger had sensed it too.
But Wenger has reverted to Giroud since and last night he paid a familiar price. Giroud missed his two best second-half chances, again failing to show the clinical edge required in tight games like this. He was replaced by Theo Walcott to cheers from the fans. Giroud will surely show his worth again, against modest opposition, but this was a reminder of his limits.
Rodgers nearer top combo
Liverpool started the season with two ponderous, unimaginative performances which yielded two goals and two wins. Here, against opponents far superior to Stoke or Bournemouth, they played their best football of the season, but with no reward.
Brendan Rodgers found a powerful balance in his team. Emre Can and Lucas Leiva protected the back four. James Milner shuttled forward alongside them, giving drive and impetus from deep. Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, flanked Christian Benteke, providing imagination and technical skill. Between them they created enough chances in the first half to win this game.
Rodgers spends every autumn trying to discover his best combination and only when he finds it does his team hit form. This may not be it, but it was his best try yet.
Emirates form will cost title
“Normally over 19 games you can sometimes be unlucky once or twice,” said Wenger last week, reflecting on Arsenal’s home struggles. “Most of the time if you really dominate the games you will win.”
This was the fifth of Arsenal’s last six home league games in which they have failed to score. This is a trend, not a fluke, and it speaks of a team who struggle to break down packed defences. Arsenal played with no width yesterday and not enough drive or pace. Titles are built on home wins and Arsenal will not stack up enough.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments