Most fans predicted that Arsenal’s clash against Liverpool would be a high-scoring game but wow.
Arsenal started sharply. The Emirates crowd were in fine voice and the players had their tails in the air. The atmosphere was similar to that of the North London Derby and you could feel that this was going to be a frenetic match.
Despite Arsenal being strong, Liverpool began to turn the screw and after 15 minutes, the visitors had had the best of the opening chances.
Petr Cech kept out Roberto Firmino… but not for long.
Minutes after his first attempt, the 26-year-old put the visitors 1-0 ahead with a header. The Gunners’ defenders were too slow and Laurent Koscielny inexplicably backed off, giving the winger acres of space.
Once again, poor defending from Arsenal undid 20 minutes of solid work. And it completely changed the game.
After the goal, Arsenal were left in shock and they reverted to their usual clueless passing. Minutes later, Liverpool went close again.
Christ this is sloppy. Only a matter of time until we concede if we don't pull ourselves together.
— Terje (@ArsenalTerje) December 22, 2017
Flashbacks of Denilson being outrun by the referee as Jack and Xhaka tracked the runners there
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) December 22, 2017
There's an alarming lack of shape to Arsenal's midfield at the moment. Makes the whole team look disjointed.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) December 22, 2017
After half-an-hour, Jurgen Klopp’s men had complete control of the game. Arsenal looked clueless, flat and confused. Granit Xhaka, Alex Iwobi, Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez didn’t look as if they knew where to play and looked knackered. What a shambles.
We are painful to watch
— Andy Hug (@MightyGooner81) December 22, 2017
The gulf between Liverpool’s standard of play from the way they pressed to how easily they seemed to dispossess us and then keep the ball highlighted just how bad Arsenal are at the moment. It’s not even that Klopp’s men are even that good – we’re just terrible.
Shortly before half-time, Sadio Mane almost doubled Liverpool’s lead but shinned the ball over the bar after Mohamed Salah shot directly at Cech.
The Egyptian had another chance seconds later but couldn’t connect with the ball. Arsenal were so lucky not to be completely buried by this stage.
At half-time Gooners were far from pleased with what they had just witnessed.
THEY ARE GETTING OUT OF THEIR WAY JESUS CHRIST
— Anita (@arsenaloFka) December 22, 2017
Are we sure Xhaka is a footballer
— Andy Hug (@MightyGooner81) December 22, 2017
Alexis and Iwobi have been as bad as I’ve seen them. Can’t imagine Walcott or Welbeck being able to do any worse
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) December 22, 2017
Don't even get me started on Alex Iwobi. Seemingly out of breath before the first whistle, always out of position, and offers so little at the moment. Just dreadful.
— Renato (@th14Renato) December 22, 2017
Nacho Monreal, obviously feeling to the effects of a first half challenge, was subbed off for Shkodran Mustafi at the break.
Minutes into the second half, Alexis had Gooners tearing their hair out when he decided to take one of the few corners Arsenal had managed to win and didn’t even clear the first man.
Go home Sanchez
— Anita (@arsenaloFka) December 22, 2017
Alexis creating loads for Liverpool
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) December 22, 2017
Can we just start hitting our corners out for a goal kick so we know we won't get caught on the counter please thanks
— Terje (@ArsenalTerje) December 22, 2017
Alexis Sanchez losing the ball again. And again. And again. So bored of this guy.
— Renato (@th14Renato) December 22, 2017
We should fucking release him. The weirdo.
— Billy Dunmore (@Dunmoreorless) December 22, 2017
Liverpool’s second was just around the corner and sure enough, the league’s top goalscorer Mohamed Salah netted it in the 51st minute. Arsenal’s midfield left him his acres of space, allowing him to dance through and coolly shoot to Cech’s right.
A minute later, Alexis Sanchez, who was actually having one of his worst games in an Arsenal shirt, stormed into the box to land an amazing header and direct it into the back of the net.
No sooner had Liverpool recovered from the Chilean’s bullet-headed, Granit Xhaka, who had also been horrific, brought the score level and the Emirates erupted. You know those shots he has where we always think ‘don’t do it’ right before he does? Well for the first time in a long time it paid off.
And then, no sooner had we blinked, Mesut Ozil made it 3-2 with a stunning finish.
https://twitter.com/HayleyWright/status/944312427923075072
388 – There were just 388 seconds between Liverpool going 2-0 ahead and Arsenal taking the lead to make it 3-2. Rapid. #ARSLIV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2017
Arsenal fans didn’t know how to feel. We were so, so bad in the first half but we’d taken the lead just minutes after the break. Liverpool were the team in tatters. But that doesn’t detract from the first half performance… you see our predicament?
Liverpool slowly began to fight their way back into the game. The three goals from Arsenal in five minutes had understandably left them in shock. Mane went close but the ball went out of play and after that, Klopp’s men resorted to tentatively probing.
Alexandre Lacazette went close shortly before Alexis lost the ball, Arsenal’s defence went missing and Firmino brought the score level. Cech should have done better.
Arsenal now looked desperate for a winner. Ozil was running the show from midfield while even Hector Bellerin was having shots.
Arsenal subs:
Welbeck on, Iwobi off.#afc— afcstuff (@afcstuff) December 22, 2017
In the 84th minute, Arsenal had the opportunity to go ahead again when Ozil and Alexis combined but Simon Mignolet actually made a save.
Shortly after, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought on the pitch for his first match against Arsenal at the Emirates. Fans predicted he would score the winner. Others just booed.
Oh god. It is set up for him, isn’t it?
— Billy Dunmore (@Dunmoreorless) December 22, 2017
Oh here comes the fucker who'll score 4th
— Anita (@arsenaloFka) December 22, 2017
If Oxlade-Chamberlain comes on to score the winner, football might have peaked…
— COPA90 (@COPA90) December 22, 2017
Ox to win it with his first shot on target from range in 8 years?
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) December 22, 2017
Alexis was finally brought off for Theo Walcott minutes before the final whistle.
Arsenal sub:
Walcott on, Alexis off.#afc— afcstuff (@afcstuff) December 22, 2017
Fortunately, this wasn’t the case. Nor could Arsenal find a fourth.
Well, that’s that. Are Arsenal lucky to to get a point? After that first half performance, definitely. However, it’s still disappointing not to get the win on home soil after going 3-2 ahead. Still, what a game eh?