Liverpool’s 2-2 draw towards Arsenal was a recreation that ebbed and flowed in each sense of the phrase, with totally different gamers stepping up in key moments to alter the tide of the match.
For Arsenal, the person who took on the mantle within the early phases was Bukayo Saka.
The 23-year-old began on the correct wing and regardless of beforehand being an damage doubt for the sport, confirmed no signal of struggling as he made life tough for Andy Robertson.
It was this right-sided space of the pitch the place Arsenal brought about most issues and scored their first objective.
Beneath is WhoScored’s map detailing the place the hosts’ dribbles came about and the way that they had extra success on the correct by Saka.
Robertson did develop into the sport, although, ultimately stunting Saka’s affect with assist from Luis Diaz who made certain to trace again.
Nevertheless, the Colombian wasn’t at his finest, gifting away a number of fouls which handed Arsenal, often Declan Rice, the chance to ship into the field the place they’re so harmful.
Beneath is a map exhibiting the place Liverpool conceded their fouls towards Arsenal.
It was within the space on the correct from the place Rice crossed to Mikel Merino who headed dwelling his first objective for the Gunners, after Liverpool had already conceded probability from a near-identical free-kick.
In addition to gifting away set-piece alternatives, Luis Diaz‘s FotMob stats don’t make nice studying. He misplaced 13 of 20 duels, misplaced the ball thrice from 5 dribbles tried and was dispossessed on three events.
Was Arsenal’s strategy too damaging?
Irrespective of the opposition, you’ll count on Arsenal to be disenchanted with only a level having led twice at dwelling.
They solely actually have themselves guilty, although, as Arteta’s facet sat on their lead and did not capitalise on their first-half stress.
The beneath momentum graphic from FotMob exhibits how Liverpool regained the ascendancy on the Emirates.
A stat that proves simply how a lot the sport turned after the break got here from @xgPhilosophy, who reported that Arsenal produced simply 0.05 xG whereas main between the forty third and 81st minute.
Liverpool did make tactical adjustments and substitutions that helped push them on, Trent Alexander-Arnold stepping inside extra usually being one, however for a workforce of Arsenal‘s high quality, their negativity is beginning to have an effect on outcomes.
Impermeable Ibrahima Konate
It appears unusual to say after a recreation by which they conceded twice, however the Reds’ centre-backs have been wonderful in north London, Ibrahima Konate particularly.
On a number of events, Gabriel Martinelli thought he was on for a counter-attack earlier than the defender got here throughout and rapidly cleared up any issues Liverpool could be about to face.
Towards Arsenal, the 25-year-old made extra recoveries (7) than some other outfielder and extra clearances (6), in line with FotMob.
He was additionally comparatively good on the ball, with solely Virgil van Dijk (11) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (8) making extra passes into Arsenal‘s closing third than Konate (6).
On the entire, a degree was in all probability a good end result however each Liverpool and Arsenal will come away feeling it was maybe a missed alternative.
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