(08/01/26) Liverpool (H)

Arsenal vs Liverpool (H)

The buildup was set in extraordinary fashion. Through results, player comments, sackings, striker issues. On the Wednesday, match week 21 arose a significant impact on the title race. Man city had gained 1 point against Brighton; some would say it was 2 points dropped. Aston Villa faced the same situation with a Goalless 90 minutes at Selhurst Park. A rather disturbing and embarrassing situation since it was an 11 match streak for The Villians and it was conquered by the Gunners. With also shocking sackings arriving of both Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim the stage was set for Arsenal to show how a title challenging side can show true levels.

Yet, it was disappointment that struck the Arsenal. They managed a 0.57 xG across 90 minutes with 4 shots on target and only 1 big chance created. 

One of the evident issues in the performance was losing the midfield battle. Zubimendi and Rice had no synergy with one another and frequently gave the ball away. It reached a point where we had consistent activity in our own half struggling to move out and create a counter attack. Resulting in Liverpool finding Florian Wirtz constantly in those pockets that was clearly exposed. The substitution of Eze for Martin Odegaard gave no joy towards causing an impact. Without a run in 3 games to come in at a moment when we needed a defensive minded impact. He came to no positive use through not even wanting to help pick up the ball in deep positons to lacking the mobility to bring a positive energy to the side. A personal opinion for the correct tactical substitutions, IN : Ben White, Myles Lewis Skelly OUT : Hincapie, Martin Zubimemdi. Hincapie felt something which forced substitutions and created a new battle between Frimpong and MLS. It was transparent as it could be that Frimpong's pace amd technical ability would win this duel. Having Myles Lewis Skelly in the midfield that is his natural position allows quick transitional play as a well as a dominace new addition to the midfield. Then of course a Lb was still needed, which could have been Timber who a incredibly verstaile option to be able to play across the whole backline. Ben White could have then caused an impact on the right hand side creating a perfect linkup with Bukayo Saka having a threat of overlapping runs.  

As a consequence of this performance that was covered in an abundance of ridicule as it was an opportunity to go 8 points clear instead of having a 6 point gap with Manchester City. Personally it feels like 2 points lost rather than a point gained. Further upset arose from the incident that occured with Gabriel Martinelli and Connor Bradley . A controversial situation that ended in Connor Bradley leaving the pitch in a stretcher and Martinelli  receiving a lot hate. Its suggested that Martinelli had no context the extent of the injury and saw it as a way of wasting time. This is backed up by Liverpool's manger Arne Slot who commented on this encounterment. 

'There is so much time - wasting and players pretending they are injured in the final parts of the game or during the game that you can then sometimes be annoyed if you want to score a goal that you think that player is time-wasting'

I would match exactly what he said, as in game that played such a big implement on the title. Getting a goal was the only thing on Martinelli's mind and could only explain the reasons for his outburst.

He then went onto social media to share his acknowledgement of the situation and his direct communication with the Liverpool Defender that represented his efforts of understanding his wrongdoings and ended with an apology.