Opinion: Five Key Takeaways From Arsenal’s Defeat at Anfield
Arsenal succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield, courtesy of a well-struck free kick from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, marking their first loss of the season. The result leaves Gooners frustrated. Sometimes things do not go to plan, and for Arsenal, leaving Merseyside with a defeat was certainly not part of the script. That said, there […] The post Opinion: Five Key Takeaways From Arsenal’s Defeat at Anfield appeared first on Just Arsenal News.
RR aka Rishi-Raj
Arsenal succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield, courtesy of a well-struck free kick from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, marking their first loss of the season.
The result leaves Gooners frustrated.
Sometimes things do not go to plan, and for Arsenal, leaving Merseyside with a defeat was certainly not part of the script. That said, there was plenty to unpack from this game.
Questionable Arteta selections
With Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both sidelined, Arsenal were without their creative heartbeat. Mikel Arteta had no excuse for leaving Eberechi Eze out of the starting XI. He could have provided the spark Arsenal sorely missed in the absence of Saka and Odegaard.
A midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino looked far too defensive to generate the chances needed to win at Anfield. With that midfield setup, Arsenal lacked an attacking threat.
Ahead of the game, Eze was hyped to be the game-changer. His creativity was expected to give Arsenal the edge against Liverpool. The way Arsenal were set up, one cannot help but feel Arteta fielded a side not to lose rather than one designed to win.
Mixed fortunes for Zubimendi and Mosquera
Arsenal’s long wait for a league win at Anfield continues, as they last won there in 2012. Notably, this defeat marks the end of their six-match unbeaten run against Liverpool in the Premier League. It also snaps their 22-game unbeaten streak against the traditional big six.
Martin Zubimendi endured a difficult evening. He looked a shadow of his usual self, winning just one of eight ground duels, failing to make a single tackle, getting dribbled past three times, and committing three fouls. His poor performance held Arsenal back, with some Gooners left wishing Thomas Partey was still available.
Thrown into the action early after William Saliba’s injury, summer recruit Cristhian Mosquera stepped up admirably. The Spaniard delivered elite box defending and kept Hugo Ekitike quiet throughout. His numbers speak volumes:
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85 minutes played
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51 passes
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90% pass accuracy
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4 tackles
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2 blocked shots
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3 clearances
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4/5 duels won
He was arguably the most positive takeaway from the match.
Looking ahead, three points have been dropped and Arsenal will be itching to get back in action, but the international break stands in their way. It has come at the worst possible time. Still, this is a chance to regroup and return stronger, with a tough clash against Nottingham Forest looming. Forest, fresh off a 3-0 defeat to West Ham, will also be desperate to respond.
Daniel O
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The post Opinion: Five Key Takeaways From Arsenal’s Defeat at Anfield appeared first on Just Arsenal News.
