Arsenal 1 – Liverpool 1: Arsenal Title Hopes Put to the Sword with Late Late Late Late Drama

By: Martin | April 17th, 2011

Incredible. I literally don’t even know what to say.

Arsenal started brightly, and Diaby had a very good header opportunity that he did well to get onto that he put just wide within the first 5 minutes. Theo had a very good shot from long-range — Reina always had it covered, but it swerved enough to force him to parry instead of hold, and it really could have caused problems had it been parried in a different direction or someone from Arsenal been crashing the box to clean up the spoils.

We had a golden opportunity (well, two golden opportunities, technically) about 15 minutes in. Doing a very convincing impersonation of a team that knows what they are doing from corner kicks, van Persie put the corner at the right height on the edge of the six-yard box, and Koscielny had a great, perfectly timed leap to get his head onto the ball — he outleapt Carragher and Reina, but his header just came off the crossbar. The ball ricocheted to Walcott, whose hard shot clearly hit Dirk Kuyt on the arm, which was outstretched. It was a very, very legitimate penalty appeal — but either the referee didn’t see it or gave Liverpool the benefit of the doubt since it was at point-blank range and Kuyt couldn’t have really done much to avoid it (other than not have his arms outstretched in the first place, of course).

After that, we kind of fell into a familiar, but frustrating, pattern — we dominated possession, often having it deep in Liverpool’s area, but couldn’t really convert the chances we created. This was particularly frustrating after Fabio Aurelio went off injured about 20 minutes in, forcing Liverpool to bring on 17 year-old Reserves player Jack Robinson at left-back, leaving Liverpool with two teenaged Reserves full-backs on the pitch. At several points the culprit was Fabregas — he wasted a great chance when van Persie fed him the ball on the edge of the box and he shot tamely wide, and he overcooked several through balls when guys went on good runs forward. Liverpool got a couple of yellow cards about 2/3 of the way through the half from several very rough challenges, although I don’t think either deserved a straight red.

We had another solid chance near the very end of the first half when Cesc put Eboue through in the box but a little wide right. Eboue had a lot of space and got off what looked to be a decent shot from a tight angle, but Skrtel did well to deflect the shot so Reina didn’t really have to make a save. 0-0, at half-time, despite Arsenal being much the better team.

First-Half Stats:

Possession: Arsenal 60% – Liverpool 40%
Shots (on Goal): Arsenal 8(1) – Liverpool 2(1)
Corners: Arsenal 5 – Liverpool 2

Liverpool started the second-half brightly, controlling possession. They created one really great chance on the counter when Luis Suarez made a great run through the Arsenal defense — when our defenders inexplicably played off him, Suarez played the ball onto his left foot from the edge of the box and scuffed his shot wide. You’d really expect a world-class finisher like Suarez to do better from there, and it was a let-off for Arsenal.

And then Liverpool started having some injury problems. It started when Andy Carroll went down in the Arsenal box — at first I thought it was just a really egregious dive, as he basically did a somersault onto the ground without being touched by an Arsenal player. But replays showed he just took a really awkward step and bent his leg the wrong way a bit. It looked pretty serious, and I thought he’d probably have to be subbed off, but he managed to get some treatment and continue for a little while, although he was subbed off with about 20 minutes remaining.

Not too long after that, Jamie Carragher went down hard. Liverpool fans were immediately calling for the trainer, and Carrager wasn’t moving. Replays showed he got into a head-to-head collision with John Flanagan, his own player. The stoppage lasted a good six minutes, and Carragher was completely immobilized and receiving oxygen as he was stretchered off. It really couldn’t have looked more serious, and it was really scary. A couple of minutes later they received news that he was sitting up and talking to the medical team, which is a huge relief. I would still imagine he way have gotten a fairly serious concussion and may not play again this season, but as I was watching it I was scared he may not walk again. Obviously we hope he’s okay and makes a full recovery.

72 minutes in, Wenger made a double substitution — Bendtner on for Wilshere, who had one of his worst games in a while, and Arshavin came on for Walcott. The hope was that those guys could make an impact and help Arsenal unlock the Liverpool defense.

Instead, it seemed to rejuvenate Liverpool, somehow. Arsenal got another big let-off in the 75th minute when Arsenal’s center backs had a miscommunication which led to Suarez having the ball in tons of space on the edge of the six-yard box, but his shot was tame and towards the center of the goal, where it was saved with relative ease by a grateful Wojo. Terrible defending nearly cost us again on that one.

Then we did manage to get the best chance we’d had all match from a superb team effort. Arshavin played the ball back out to Clichy, who played the ball across to Cesc, who played the ball into Nasri, who played an absolutely magnificent one-touch flick-on through ball to van Persie, who found himself one-on-one with Reina. Unfortunately, Robbie couldn’t finish, and his shot was close enough to Reina that he swatted it wide. Bendtner’s follow-up volley was comfortably saved.

But not long after that, Kuyt played a deep cross along the ground to Suarez, who had tons of space but a bad angle. He also had several trailing Liverpool players. The smart play was definitely to pull it back for one of them, but instead who got off an abysmal effort high and wide — yet another let-off for Arsenal by Suarez. If he had been on form today it really could have been a pretty ugly result.

Alex Song had a great chance at a header off a corner right before stoppage time that he headed straight into the ground and it caused Liverpool no trouble.

We got 8 minutes of stoppage time. Really, it should have been more. I think Carragher was down injured for 6 minutes, Carroll was down for 2-3 more, and there were various other assorted stoppages, including 5 substitutions. Little did we know we would be getting 110 minutes before it was all said and done.

Arsenal looked to have won it when Spearing brought down Cesc in the penalty box by sweeping out his back foot. Maybe it was a touch soft, but it certainly would have been a foul had it happened in midfield, so using that criteria, you’d have to say it was the right call. Robin van Persie stepped up and coolly converted. 1-0, Arsenal. Title hopes alive. Happy Day. 4 points behind Manchester United, and we were on our way. I was hugging my cat, kissing my fiancee, thinking how much fun this recap was going to be.

Alas, someone didn’t tell Liverpool that the match was over. They almost scored immediately after the kick-off, and I’m still not entirely sure what happened because the feed I was watching was still showing replays of the penalty and the goal. But Wojo had to make a save deep in his own area. Hugh sigh of relief — can you imagine how terrible it would be if we pissed this one away?

And then we did. We very nearly conceded a penalty on the edge of the box when Lucas was tripped. He was right on the edge of the box, fell down in the box, and it was a bit of a let-off. The reason he was in that position in the first place was because we could not frakking clear the ball even thought we had what seemed like half a dozen chances to do so. Here’s a transcript of my living room on the play — “Get it out. Get it out. Get it out. Get it out! GET IT OUT! GET IT OUT!!! Oh, you’re fucking kidding me!” If someone, anyone (and if memory serves, Song was the main culprit) had just put their damn foot through the ball, we would be having a very different conversation right now, because there would be no free kick, no ensuing penalty, and it would been one-nil to the Arsenal. But we didn’t.

On the ensuing free kick, which was literally dead center on the edge of the box, I was just pacing around hoping the wall did its job and stopped the kick, and Suarez couldn’t come up with some curling miracle shot to salvage a point from it. And it did — the shot ricocheted off the wall wide, and I’m sure that you, like me, were already celebrating, expecting the whistle to blow. But Lucas was chasing the ball down, and Eboue inexplicably just ran Lucas down from behind.

Was Lucas looking for it? Yes. Did he really, really make the most of it? Definitely — I think he was just waiting for the contact to throw himself down on the ground. But you know what? There was contact, it would have been a foul at midfield, and I don’t think we can complain about anything other than Eboue’s stupidity. If Eboue had stood there and let the ball bounce, the whistle blows and we win. But it was a completely braindead play, it cost us 2 points, and I don’t think we can blame the ref or anyone else for it. 1-1, final.

Full-Time Stats:

Possession: Arsenal 62% – Liverpool 38%
Shots (on Goal): Arsenal 16(5) – Liverpool 8(5)
Corners: Arsenal 10 – Liverpool 3

And Wenger showed some of his typical petulance after the final whistle when, walking over for the handshake, he started jawing at Dalglish, and the two did not shake hands. I understand Wenger is upset, but Dalglish didn’t award the penalty — sometimes you just need to grit your teeth, avoid eye contact, hold your hand out for the ceremonial handshake, and move on. I don’t why it was necessary to start yelling at Dalglish there. Regular readers know what a big defender of Wenger I am in just about everything except the classless way he deals with losing, and this is a perfect example.

Did we deserve to win? I would say probably. We had more possession, 3x as many corners, twice as many shots. But it’s the same old story, right? Lots of possession, lots of shots off target, lots of passing in the opposition area, but a real lack of cutting edge and clear-cut chances. We were very good in the first-half, I thought, but I think Liverpool were the better side for long stretches in the second-half. A draw wasn’t a completely unfair result, I guess you’d have to say.

And . . . that’s it. Not for the match review. For our season, really. I think any chance we had of winning the league is now gone, with us 6 points behind Manchester United. Even if we were to beat them at the Emirates (which, given recent results, seems a very dubious proposition indeed), we’d be 3 points behind with a deficit in goal differential with 5 matches left, and I just don’t see us making that up. So this will almost certainly be the 6th year without a trophy. And it would take a pretty monumental collapse for us to drop out of the top 4, since we’re 10 points ahead of 5th place Spurs with 6 matches remaining. So we won’t win, but we’ll make the Champions League. Again. Same as it ever was.

And you know what? We don’t deserve it. 3 consecutive draws at home — if we had won those games, we’d be tied for the league lead, with Manchester United still to visit the Emirates, and we may just be favorites. But we didn’t take advantage of those opportunities. And we pissed away another lead late — about as late as a lead can be, in fact, in the 99th minute. If we had protected all the points we threw away from winning positions this year, we’d be top of the table and favorites to win the league. But we didn’t.

“But we didn’t.” That should be our motto this season. We know what it takes to win the league, we know what we have to do. But we don’t do it. I’m not sure if it’s mental, or physical, or some combination of the two, but yet again, we come up short. It’s unavoidable to start looking toward the summer and the following season, but we do have 6 games left, and even though they probably won’t mean a great deal, we’ll have to look at those first. We’ve got Spurs on Wednesday, and Bolton at the weekend. Until then.

I’ve got to run out and do some things this afternoon, so the player ratings will be up a bit later. Enjoy the rest of your weekends.

***************

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Category: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Liverpool, Match Review, Premiership

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FredJacob

Still waiting on player rating, like you give everyone a zero
Kevin

I'm a Netherlands fan and watched Arsenal for years because Bergkamp, Overmarcs and RVP playing over there.
One thing that I observe is Wenger does not know how to develop defenders and goal keepers. The first period when Arsenal won many titles, the defenders and goal keeper were Tony Adams, Keown and Seaman. And if I am not mistaken, the whole defending system was developed before Wenger came in. In contract, Wenger always produce good offensive force(Henry, RVP, Cesc, ...) but you can't win any title with schoolboy defenders and goal keepers. I don't say that the group of defenders now in Arsenal doesn't have talents but I think Wenger doesn't have any plan to teach them anything about defending. For years, Glichy and Eboue doesn't learn anything about clearing the ball or keeping the eye on the forwards. Then losing year after year create a team that has fragile mental. If Wenger stay, he should hire a assistant coach that knows a little bit about defending.
dot24two

As a Liverpool fan (over from the Liverpool Offside) I'd agree with Kevin. Arsenal right now remind of the Roy Evans Liverpool, that choked in the final months 95 and 96, and again in the FA Cup Final. Oddly enough, that being about six years after last winning the League in 89-90.
Another thing stands out; Liverpool went through keepers like David James and Brad Friedel, both young at the time, with 'cultured' defenders (Mark Wright, John Scales) that couldn't actually defend as a coherent unit.
Houllier's fix was to develop a counter-attacking style of play, a deep 4-5-1, with Michael Owen up front. It really wasn't very pretty at all, compared to Evans' 3-5-2 (or anything else, come to think of it), but the centre-backs became Hyppia and Henchoz, who were a damn sight better at actually defending. And bit later on, we got Hamman from Newcastle.
So similar mental fragility when the chips are down, coupled with defenders who aren't terribly good in the unit, leaving young in-experienced keepers exposed.
At this point, I wouldn't be putting the house on Szczesny developing into the next Seaman.
Its a shame for Arsenal, as Wenger had the opportunity to be your Shankly, changing the ethos of the club and laying the foundations for his successor. Sadly, at the moment, I think his successor will be more Houllier than Paisley.
Patoux21

Typical Gunners' behaviour with no mental strengh shitting in their pants at the very last second. When will the team ever have a leader in the field since Vieira?
Gigi_man

well, i just hate it when the team says i was right.
but as i saw this coming i am not as heart broken as usual.
didnt watch the game but seems it was all of us this season.
so i really think arsene should repent and fix. because looking back when some games were won by the invincibles, they were 1-0, so not too much was needed, and then the same year, when goals were needed, goals were scored, so my conclusion is to get stronger in defense, not to sack any 1st choices but to get 2nd choices as talented and reassuring. And to add more striking force. Not to sack anyone but again to put more meat in the grill at times needed.
FredJacob

i find they should at least learning to have a shot from outside the box, like Theo did instead of trying to breakdown a stubborn defense,
Darren_V

Ever tried shooting from outside the box with eight players blocking the way? It's rather futile
FredJacob

So players like tiote and the like can shot from outside and score and we can't that is bull, our players are much better than them, guess not when was the last time Van score a freekick
Gigi_man

I agree with you, but I think Fred's point is maybe that after a shot deflected, or rejected, a second one can be a surprise and the positions changed...at least thats my wish for shooting from outside the box when having a block defending
Perry S.

But the problem with that is we have very few marksmen who can hit the target regularly. More often than not, our "strikers" end up kicking high, wide, or even too soft making the other team's keeper look like a gem (this last one seems to happen game in and game out). Then we'll all be complaining about a wasted goal scoring opportunity. We honestly need to mix up our strategy overall and not be so predictable, that essentially is our problem...we've been figured out.
arn00b

Chelsea fan here.

The team is mentally weak. The season was over before kickoff against Liverpool.

You know how some teams up their game for matches against their rivals? How Liverpool, no matter how out of form the team is, just seem to become invincible when it's a United? Or how some teams do when it's a derby? Or how Everton often plays (Drew United, Chelsea, Pool, Spurs, beat Pool, Chelsea, City... this year. Last year, they beat United, Chelsea and City)

Arsenal seems to do the opposite - slackening and totally choking against the big teams, or when big things are at stake.

You could still win the league - fix the goal difference and win all the remaining games. Beat the Mancs and hope Chelsea do too. Can the team that was once "the invincibles" go on a 6 game win streak? Please do.

Last thing. Arsene is too fussy sometimes. He should just learn to do a Bellamy handshake (the one he did to Terry.)
Double down

The worst part of this is that it was close to our first team and our attack was listless at best.
Fab, VP, Nasri all below par.
No obvious fixes.
Perry S.

Imagine how frustrated you've got to be as a star player on this team when you are consistently being undone by the likes of Diaby, Denilson, Eboue, Squillaci, and Almunia. If its not one leading to a goal against, then sure enough another will step up. Lord have mercy on these souls for they know not what harm they do...or do they?

This summer, if I don't see some of these fringe players replaced, my unwavering faith in Wenger will be shaken for the first time (the stubbornness has to waver as some point, right?). I'm not sure how much more obvious it can be that there are some players on this squad that simply don't...have...what...it...takes...to be an Arsenal player.
Gigi_man

totally agree, except maybe for Eboue, my theory is that he isnt a defender and he is being used wrongfully.
Benjamin Dockter

Just watched the highlights from Feyenoord's game this weekend. Miyachi looks like a fantastic signing by Wenger. 2 goals and 2 assists in one game. He's got tricks, speed and an eye for goal. Plus he plays on the left. Just have Cesc hit balls over the top to him and Theo and we'll win every game.
Kxevin

Tough luck, guys. Sorry. But the review is excellent. Very nice work, and I was reading the passage about just clearing the damned ball and thinking of our match against That Other Spanish Team yesterday. Passing sides just don't seem to want to do that sort of thing, dismissing it as being inelegant or some such nonsense. But sometimes, booting it the hell out makes the most sense.

I don't think your title hopes are done yet. The way this Prem season has gone, United could drop points to somebody unexpected, and you're right back in it. Keep the faith until there isn't any faith to be kept, right?
Reginald Poofter

If Kroenke takes over, Wenger will be shown the door. The main reason for this recent push for shares is because he has tired of the arrogant Frenchman whose delusional approach to football has won him less trophies in recent years than LFC.
Perry S.

Reginald -- I've followed Stan for many years now being an avid Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise fan. Based on his dealings, my expectations would be that he keeps Wenger in place and allow him to retire on his own. However, I FIRMLY believe that he will be "giving" AW a large kitty in this transfer window to, lets just say, fix a few issues within the club ATM. When I say giving, I mean he will be forcing Wenger's hands a bit in bringing in some real names to the club...mark my words, this man is business and there is no better way to grow his new brand and business, Arsenal FC, than to bring in some household names.
Chicago Gunner

I don't see how Kroenke's ownership of the Avs indicates he will throw money around this offseason. Kroenke took over the Avs in 2000 and the Avs were awesome for the next 2 years but at that point, they already had most, if not all of their stars. He certainly didn't splash money at the GM. And the salary cap began in 2005-2006, so he's had his hands tied in spending since then. Am I missing something?
Perry S.

When he came on, he gave Pierre the largest bill to bring in every player he possibly could to secure the Stanley Cup in 2001 (Bourque, Blake, etc.) and we really should have repeated in 03-04, but Granato had no idea how to manage that caliber of a team (thats another story!). My point is moreso that he will spend $$ when given the opportunity, which like you stated, isn't currently the situation with the Avalanche, though I feel the future is very bright and do believe this off-season there will be some quality brought in, contrary to many others' beliefs. Equally, I believe the situation is similar for Arsenal. Just my two cents...
Sairax

Kroenke has already taken over. And he backs Wenger.
Reginald Poofter

Until the summer.
Sairax

I heard Jamie Carragher regained consciousness after getting treatment but that's all I heard. I hope he's ok, it looked really bad.
Sean

Liverpool fan here. Very good write up mate. Agree with it entirely. Like you I am a big supporter of Wenger, think he has done a brilliant job there but why he acts like he does at time (ie blaming Dalglish) I just dont know.

Think the time has come for Wenger to spend the money he has and buy 2 or 3 experienced players (keeper, centreback and centre forward) as the team needs experience as well as the obvious talent that is there.
Georgedb1

Yes, except as to a new keeper - Szczesny is going to be our next Seaman, the lad is already an outstanding keeper and is fast looking like a world class keeper emerging.
Guest

Waht did Wenger actually say? Does anyone know?

On the other hand, Ferguson has always been just as petulant if not worse in blaming refs, etc.
Chicago Gunner

who knows what wenger said, but i imagine he accused the player of diving to get the penalty at the end. dalglish certainly said "piss off" and "fuck off" to wenger. did anyone not hear that? i imagine he should be banned if rooney got 2 games for the same thing.
Perry S.

100% Wenger accused him of diving.
RedCapedWonder

I for one am tired of this. We haven't been first ALL SEASON. It's always "If they win they narrow the gap/go top/actually achieve something" and we NEVER do. We NEVER come through, and it just doesn't make sense. Frustrating, as usual.
RedCapedWonder

I for one am tired of this. We haven't been first ALL SEASON. It's always "If they win they narrow the gap/go top/actually achieve something" and we NEVER do. We NEVER come through, and it just doesn't make sense. Frustrating, as usual.
smudgers

I felt the F.A.'s referee did something very suspicious when Newcastle were awarded two penalties against Arsenal. I wondered was the fix on by the F.A. to stop Arsenal winning the league. Then I had some time to think and realised that all human beings can make mistakes and that the referee appointed by the F.A. had just made two terrible decisions and it was just unlucky that Arsenal were the recipiants on that occasion. However, after watching what happened at the end of Arsenal v Liverpool game I am not so sure. Something is happening with the referees and it really stinks. I truely beleieve now that the F.A.'s referees are being paid dirty money by someone at the F.A. to ensure Manchester United and only Manchester United win the league. It may be next year or the year after, but the truth will come out. I remember match fixing being unearthed in Italian Football years ago. No one could believe it at first. One rat spoke out. Then another. Then all the horrible truth came out. It has been clear for years that you cannot question the F.A. They have no one to answer too. It is the same with FIFA. No one can hold these men ruling the game or their referees to account. Yes these grubby old men at FIFA and the F.A. are making lots of money now. But jail is jail. Let the truth be told.
Ash

If you are gonna argue your moronic view I suggest you leave out Calciopoli, otherwise you will end up looking like a blithering fool. It has been made quite obvious that there wasnt any matchfixing whatsoever in Italy to beginwith.

It would actually help to read up on it before quoting it to prove your blatantly moronic view...
vHF

What nonsense.
How can a team that is victimised by referees get a 50/50 penalty in the 97th minute when the score is 0:0?
Gigi_man

maybe he means in the sense that Arsenal has real (sorry had) chances of title whereas Liverpool didnt.
...

you are a moron
Orion_saidwiseguy

No, he's not a moron. He had an opinion, and voiced it. It's called freedom of expression.
vHF

Freedom of expression covers, of course, the freedom of moronic expression. Your comment is off the mark.
Guest

Why is it moronic?
vHF

My answer to this question is already in this very thread.
Baljit_baller

arsenal can always blame the ref......
all the crap in the match happened after 8 minutes of injury time...........THERE
Sairax

Sigh.
Sha ♕

more sigh
Tomisin

*Kanye Shrug* i think i'm immune to disappointment now
Benjamin Dockter

At the end of the game, I was soooo pissed. Then I remembered. This is Arsenal. Perpetual chokers. I already knew this would happen. Then I got on with my day.