Arsenal could have spent close to £300m as soon as the summer season switch window ends at 7pm on Monday night. Nonetheless, the Gunners’ luxurious new squad was not sufficient to fend off one other of the market’s huge spenders, Liverpool.
Reality be advised, Arne Slot’s aspect had been there for the taking. Mikel Arteta’s males loved extra of the ball within the first half and seemed threatening, however couldn’t make their benefit inform.
Ultimately, they had been undone by a second of magic. Arsenal performed with the handbrake on and the Reds made them pay.
Final season you might nicely keep in mind Declan Rice’s gorgeous free-kicks in opposition to Actual Madrid. It is laborious to neglect them. Properly, Rice eat your coronary heart out.
Dominic Szoboszlai stepped up and struck an attractive free-kick over the ball and previous David Raya with not lengthy left on the clock.
What went fallacious for Arsenal at Anfield
After successful on the Premier League’s opening weekend in opposition to Manchester United, a lot was made from Arsenal’s unbeaten run in opposition to the massive groups.
Certainly, because the north Londoners headed to Merseyside on Sunday, they did so having not misplaced their final 22 video games in opposition to the division’s conventional huge six; Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool, Man United, Spurs and Chelsea.
Properly, that report got here to an finish in disappointing style this weekend as Arsenal somewhat misplaced with a whimper.
The tone was set within the opening exchanges. William Saliba went down off the ball and went off, changed by Cristhian Mosquera. To his credit score, the summer season signing did nicely, successful 4 of his 5 duels, in accordance with Sofascore.
The efficiency stemmed from Arsenal’s assault. Whereas Arteta could have a improbable report in opposition to the most important sides in English soccer, it is turning into an everyday prevalence now that they battle to get out of second gear.
Barring the annihilation in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final season, very not often have the Gunners managed to romp to victory.
Excusing that Metropolis sport, it is 11 matches since Arsenal scored greater than twice in these ‘big-six’ fixtures. Truthful sufficient in opposition to the perfect sides within the land, but it surely speaks volumes of a group who aren’t given a lot artistic freedom or license.
Viktor Gyokeres, like he did in opposition to Manchester United, seemed remoted up high and was devoid of a lot service. That is hardly a shock contemplating Arsenal began Ethan Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze on the bench. Additionally with out Bukayo Saka, this one was all the time going to be a little bit of a battle.
Mikel Merino was chosen within the Odegaard position however regardless of scoring twice in opposition to Liverpool in 2024/25, he did not actually flip up on this event, finishing simply 77% of his passes.
To his credit score, Noni Madueke was in all probability the perfect participant for the guests. Handed a chance in his favoured position on the right-hand aspect, he usually seemed to make issues occur.
He had three photographs, probably the most of any Arsenal participant and accomplished his one and solely dribble. It is a pity his associate on the alternative aspect of the pitch failed to indicate the identical vigour.
The basis of Arsenal’s issues in assault
For the overwhelming majority of this summer season window, Arsenal supporters have had two cravings. One was for the membership to signal a brand new striker they usually did so by welcoming Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium.
The opposite need was to see Andrea Berta signal a left winger. He is semi-done that, welcoming Madueke and Eze into the fold.
It was Madueke who began on the left in opposition to Leeds United final week and it was Eze who completed Sunday’s conflict in that position, substituted on with 20 minutes to go. The brand new signing was vibrant, actually extra so than the person he changed, Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian is a puzzling expertise. In 2022/23, he completed because the membership’s joint-top scorer, registering 15 objectives.
Since then, it has been an arduous few years for the broad participant who has struggled to duplicate that type. His efficiency in opposition to Liverpool showcased why he is grow to be a little bit of a scapegoat in current instances.
Stuffed with tempo, Martinelli will all the time assure power, however his lack of incisiveness within the closing third utterly killed Arsenal within the first half.
FFC’s Arsenal rankings | |
|---|---|
David Raya | 6/10 |
Jurrien Timber | 6/10 |
William Saliba | N/A |
Gabriel | 7/10 |
Riccardo Calafiori | 6/10 |
Martin Zubimendi | 6/10 |
Declan Rice | 6/10 |
Mikel Merino | 5/10 |
Noni Madueke | 8/10 |
Gabriel Martinelli | 3/10 |
Viktor Gyokeres | 5/10 |
There have been two moments particularly. One got here within the opening exchanges when he discovered the possibility to interrupt by the centre of the pitch. Gyokeres seemed to make two runs in behind however Martinelli did not get his head up. He ultimately ran down a blind alley into the penalty space and misplaced the ball having didn’t make up his thoughts over what to do with it.
The identical occurred barely later within the half when he determined to carry the ball up somewhat than get after Szoboszlai who was taking part in out of place at right-back.
It stated all of it that the Hungarian, even earlier than his showstopping purpose, was on the right track to win the person of the match award.
Martinelli solely lasted 70 minutes however he actually ought to have been hooked sooner, having didn’t have a single shot, handle one dribble or create a key move.
Martinelli vs Liverpool | |
|---|---|
Minutes performed | 70 |
Touches | 15 |
Correct passes | 6/7 (86%) |
Key passes | 0 |
Pictures | 0 |
Dribble makes an attempt | 0 |
Crosses | 0 |
Duels received | 2 |
Stats through Sofascore. | |
It was a extremely poor afternoon for the Brazil worldwide who left the pitch after amassing simply 15 touches, 40 fewer than goalkeeper David Raya.
As Arsenal podcaster and author Phil Costa famous throughout the 90 minutes, he is “so clunky and indecisive.” Is it any surprise the Gunners have moved to safe the companies of Eze and Madueke this summer season?
On this proof, Martinelli ought to discover himself again on the bench after the worldwide break. Eze merely has to begin after they face Nottingham Forest in two weeks.
