Manchester City is the new leader of the Premier League. After provisionally taking the lead on Saturday, the fair draw between Arsenal and Liverpool (2-2) at the Emirates kept the current champion in first place.
Mikel Arteta did not have many alternatives when deciding on the eleven. The significant losses of injured players such as Odegaard and Calafiori, in addition to the suspension of Saliba, conditioned a starting eleven that saw Thomas Partey and Timber as a novelty on its sides, who, far from being a liability, performed above what was expected during the first time. They controlled Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah, the stars of a Liverpool in which Arne Slot did not make any inventions but which was somewhat inferior to the ‘gunners’, highly supported by their fans.
A match that could have been blown up very soon. Saka celebrated his return after injury with a brilliant goal. He unmarked himself behind receiving a great ball from White, cut back, breaking Robertson’s waist and broke it through the post where Kelleher was (9′). A thrust that did not have as much effect as expected on Liverpool, who did not lose their calm, guided by Van Dijk’s instructions, and wanted to take the initiative. It cost him, especially due to the good work of Declan Rice, an expert ball recoverer, and the sacrifice of his teammates to disconnect Díaz and Salah. The only thing of merit that the Egyptian did was a long shot that almost surprised Raya.
Even so, Arne Slot’s team showed they had resources giving Arsenal their own medicine. Liverpool tied with a corner kick against the team that plays the best set pieces in the entire Premier League. Díaz’s effort at the near post was key for Van Dijk to finish at will and balance the balance (18′). Many minutes ahead and also a lot of respect, as both teams measured their plays very well, without taking excessive risks beyond Saka, who was determined to leave his mark on the match. Pushed by the faith of their captain, Arsenal gradually gained ground, sneaking around Kelleher’s area and smelling the prize. It arrived just before half-time, the work of Mikel Merino, who made his debut as the Gunner’s scorer in a top-class match. The Spaniard, who had caused a scare a few minutes ago due to shoulder pain, returned it to Liverpool with a strategic header, after a ball placed with care by Declan Rice (43′).
What Slot’s team had shown so far was not enough to say anything in the game and something had to change. That’s how it was. Although they still had problems generating plays inside, Liverpool came out with a different face and little by little closed down Arsenal, who also felt affected by Gabriel’s injury, leaving the defense affected, and things got worse when Timber He also asked for the change. Raya didn’t have much work, but Luis Díaz, whom Slot unexpectedly changed, and Salah began to appear more and more. It was a fight of attrition, and when it seemed that Liverpool could no longer give it any more, the tie came. It’s partly the fault of Arsenal, who felt it was their moment and stretched their lines and the usual counterattack killed them. Alexander-Arnold played a beautiful ball into space for Darwin and he gave it to Salah at will, where he made no mistake (81′).
Uncertainty took over the game in the final minutes. Also the nerves, well, very little about football. Arsenal wanted more, but they didn’t deserve it. He paid for his conformity with a single point advantage and that, added to his lack of punch, was devastating to let two points slip away.
Premier League playing field
22
5
12
41
4
6
7
23
19
29
11
62
66
26
10
5
4
11
38
9
17
7
Emirates Stadium
22David Raya
65′
Kevin Kelleher62
5Thomas Partey
Trent Alexander-Arnold66
41Declan Rice
Alexis Mac Allister10
32′
62′
4Ben White
Ibrahima Konate5
Virgil van Dijk4
17′
Mohamed Salah11
80′
23Mikel Merino
42′
Ryan Gravenberch38
19Leandro Trossard
Darwin Núñez9
93′
29Kai Havertz
Substitutes
32Neto
Vítezslav Jaros56
Harvey Davies95
17Oleksandr Zinchenko
Joe Gomez2
51Josh Nichols
20Jorginho
Jarell Quansah78
Tyler Morton80
30Raheem Sterling
Coach
