Arsenal produced a display to be proud off against Liverpool at Anfield, despite playing most of the match with just 10 men and now go into the second leg all level.
In a game that looked like it would be defined by yet another red card for Granit Xhaka with just 24 minutes on the clock, it turned out to be more about Arsenal’s gritty display to deny a very strong Liverpool side.
Having had this game delayed because they were unable to field a full side just a week before, Liverpool announced a (not) surprising strong lineup.
It looked set against Arsenal, who were without Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Martin Odegaard, who has Covid and is now likely to miss Spurs, in addition to all the others.
Instead, after Xhaka’s red, for a debatable denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity, Arsenal galvanised.
In terms of Xhaka, we can argue all day long about his record but there is no denying his reputation goes against him. Ask yourself, seriously, if a Liverpool player would have been sent off for that challenge, with the ball running to the keeper.
You know the answer.
Again, I am no Xhaka fan. I am an Arsenal fan. He's an Arsenal player. Be pissed he's a dick but also be pissed he gets treated differently. Not complicated.
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) January 13, 2022
It's worth noting Xhaka's professional record wasn't as bad as it was made to seem when he arrived by a media that constructed a narrative using every card he'd had since he was a toddler.
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) January 13, 2022
Been 10 years since Harry Kane was last sent off and he makes fouls just as stupid as Xhaka.
The red cards colour the impression everyone has of him making it easier to say it was a red cause it was Xhaka.
He's stupid. No doubt. Doesn't mean he still isn't unfairly treated.
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) January 13, 2022
We’ve watched Arsenal players get kicked in the face this season and not even get a free kick. Don’t tell me Michael Oliver, who rushed, without consideration, to flash the red, couldn’t have made a different choice.
Still, Xhaka’s absence was not felt by Arsenal on the night, but could well be felt it their legs when they play Spurs at the weekend.
Xhaka won’t be available for that game, nor the second leg against Liverpool.
He gets a two-game suspension. One for the red, another because it’s his second.
Thankfully, Arsenal are pushing to have Arthur signed on loan from Juventus in time for Sunday.
They will have to register him by lunchtime on Friday for that to happen.
Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool (half-time)
- Aaron Ramsdale 7.5 (6.1)
- Cedric Soares 6.1 (6.2)
- Benjamin White 7.2 (6.6)
- Gabriel 7.3 (6.9)
- Kieran Tierney 7.0 (6.6)
- Albert Sambi Lokonga 6.8 (6.6)
- Granit Xhaka 5.2 (5.3)
- Bukayo Saka 6.8 (6.5)
- Alexandre Lacaztte 6.5 (6.2)
- Gabriel Martinelli 6.9 (6.1)
- Eddie Nketiah 6.0 (6.2)
Arsenal subs
- Calum Chambers 7.4
- Rob Holding 6.6
- Nuno Tavares