In summary; a bright start, a lead taken, 15 or so minutes of abject capitulation and humiliation, and then some apparent 'mental strength'. Same old, same old...
So what did we learn from the match, from Wenger's and the team's response to situations that evolved, and from the manager's comments afterwards?
Firstly, it is quite clear that, as previously seen in the early stages of a new season, the team was ill-prepared and poorly set out. The central defensive partnership was a recipe for disaster, and I cannot understand that Xhaka would not start. Ramsey, who had done well for Wales over the summer, does not look suited to the Number 10 role and I am starting to wonder how much of a square peg he is becoming at Arsenal. Up front, not many predicted that Walcott would start and for all his qualities Alexis is not and never will be a centre forward capable of ploughing a lone furrow.
Secondly, compared to Liverpool Arsenal did not look physically ready for the challenge. For all the bright start and taking of the lead, it felt inevitable that accidents were waiting to happen all over the pitch.
Thirdly, the way the game panned out felt like watching Groundhog Day. But with standard Wenger's Arsenal Embellishments. The bright start that you'd expect, with fairly crisp passing and little end product. Having won the penalty, the choice of Walcott - the flakiest of flaky characters - as designated penalty taker left me flummoxed. Give the ball to Alexis, for goodness' sake!
The concession of a needless free kick in first half injury time and the ball inevitably arrowing into the top corner. The embarrassing concession of three goals in a 15 minute spell. The inevitable rally that never quite got the team back into the game.
Anf fourthly, the manager's reaction. As we went 4-1 down - and by the way all of Liverpool's goals were things of beauty - I looked over to the Arsenal bench. Where Wenger sat, as per the photo above, not moving from his seat. I don't know what message that sends out to the players, but it made me even angrier than finding ourselves 4-1 down in the first game of the season.
Bear in mind, of course, that the squad deficiencies are problems known to as yet undiscovered Amazonian tribesmen. Yet the manager, who has the power to do something to rectify them, has failed to do so. Our rivals have done their business, yet Nero fiddles while Rome burns.
We need a centre-half before pre-season started, yet despite losing BFG and now Gabriel, and with a replacement apparently lined up, still he dithers - with disastrous results - and we're going into the next match with the same defensive issues. Fortunately, we won't be up against a counter-attacking side whose pace may expose the inherent lack of pace and experience in our central defence...
We need a centre-forward. Not, I add, just A Centre Forward, but an upgrade on Giroud. Two games into the new season, nothing appears to be happening.
So there's the two missing pieces of the jigsaw - still missing. And all of our rivals won, so we're three points behind all of them. Already.
The team got booed off. Slightly unfair on the team, if you ask me. It is clear where the finger of blame needs to be pointed. What amazes me is that the level of criticism of the manager remains so low. I, for one, am utterly fed up with him. He must 'spend some f*cking money.'
Secondly, compared to Liverpool Arsenal did not look physically ready for the challenge. For all the bright start and taking of the lead, it felt inevitable that accidents were waiting to happen all over the pitch.
Thirdly, the way the game panned out felt like watching Groundhog Day. But with standard Wenger's Arsenal Embellishments. The bright start that you'd expect, with fairly crisp passing and little end product. Having won the penalty, the choice of Walcott - the flakiest of flaky characters - as designated penalty taker left me flummoxed. Give the ball to Alexis, for goodness' sake!
The concession of a needless free kick in first half injury time and the ball inevitably arrowing into the top corner. The embarrassing concession of three goals in a 15 minute spell. The inevitable rally that never quite got the team back into the game.
Anf fourthly, the manager's reaction. As we went 4-1 down - and by the way all of Liverpool's goals were things of beauty - I looked over to the Arsenal bench. Where Wenger sat, as per the photo above, not moving from his seat. I don't know what message that sends out to the players, but it made me even angrier than finding ourselves 4-1 down in the first game of the season.
Bear in mind, of course, that the squad deficiencies are problems known to as yet undiscovered Amazonian tribesmen. Yet the manager, who has the power to do something to rectify them, has failed to do so. Our rivals have done their business, yet Nero fiddles while Rome burns.
We need a centre-half before pre-season started, yet despite losing BFG and now Gabriel, and with a replacement apparently lined up, still he dithers - with disastrous results - and we're going into the next match with the same defensive issues. Fortunately, we won't be up against a counter-attacking side whose pace may expose the inherent lack of pace and experience in our central defence...
We need a centre-forward. Not, I add, just A Centre Forward, but an upgrade on Giroud. Two games into the new season, nothing appears to be happening.
So there's the two missing pieces of the jigsaw - still missing. And all of our rivals won, so we're three points behind all of them. Already.
The team got booed off. Slightly unfair on the team, if you ask me. It is clear where the finger of blame needs to be pointed. What amazes me is that the level of criticism of the manager remains so low. I, for one, am utterly fed up with him. He must 'spend some f*cking money.'
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