It didn't take long, did it? One defeat and #ArtetaOut is trending again. I've honestly no idea what's wrong with our fanbase.
I'm not sure quite what we were expecting at Anfield. Sure, I'd have taken a draw before kick-off, and a win would have been extremely surprising, for all of Liverpool's apparent slight recent drop off in form. And whilst a 4-0 defeat fitted perfectly with Sky's narrative - for starters - for all that it was emphatic it didn't feel like some of the others have felt. We've been there in the past and been two or three down in 20 minutes, but some form of resilience was shown, and the goals were down to either sublime play or self-inflicted wounds.
But let's make it clear; if you regard the success of a football team as a cycle (or at least something circular, like a clock face), then Liverpool are somewhere around 12 o'clock - they are one of the very best sides in Europe, have played together for a good 4 years now, have a well-established way of playing and half a dozen players who are the envy of the rest of the Premier League. Whereas Arsenal are just starting to move on from 6 o'clock - where one felt they could barely go any lower - and this side have played less than a dozen games as a unit. So give them a break!
Arsenal's season will not be defined by how they do against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. Any points gained against these sides should be regarded as a bonus (and yes, there are those who say: 'We're Arsenal; we should expect to beat everyone', but this isn't peak Arsenal 2004; it's trough Arsenal 2020/21). Those three afore-mentioned sides are streets ahead of the rest of the division, but 4th place is very much up for grabs. West Ham lost at the weekend, as did Manchester United (in freefall), Everton and Leicester, and for Arsenal to maintain 5th spot after the start they had is in fact nothing short of remarkable. Arteta out? You must be mad!
Of course, I'm not absolving the manager for Saturday. Not by a long chalk. Captain Hindsight might tell you that he should have picked a different team or even formation, and should have had a different game plan. But he's trying to establish a style of play and that only comes with strings of matches. And let's not forget that this is the youngest team in the Premier League - it's inevitable that disappointing performances and results will come along the way. But as long as the trajectory is up, then that's all we can hope for.
Captain Hindsight told me that Arteta should have played three central defenders, including Tierney, on Saturday, in order to help combat the irresistible threat of TAA and Salah on their right hand side. This would also have helped even out the numbers in midfield (where Arsenal were continually engulfed). And he told me that they should have abandoned playing out from the back and trying to beat the press. But Captain Hindsight is merely playing with my mental health. And whilst Liverpool are bloody good at the press we actually got through it on several occasions, but were unable to take advantage. Although, to be frank and honest here, essentially Arsenal couldn't cope with it, mistakes were continually forced, and the pressure was almost incessant.
I'm not saying that Arsenal could have won - by no means! - but a little less misfortune might have changed the narrative slightly. Sure, Liverpool were on top almost throughout (without Ramsdale, it would/could have been much worse) but, as I say, what did you really expect?
Just a couple of things that I particularly wanted to draw your attention to:
1. The Arteta/Klopp 'bust-up', and how it 'changed the game'. This is a red herring; if anyone thinks that Klopp wouldn't have got hold of his team at half-time if the score had still been 0-0 and revved them up for the second half, then they'd be wrong. All the incident may have done is started the process a dozen minutes earlier. But - and see below - Arteta was 100% correct. Because...
2. Sadio Mane is a snide, niggly piece of sh*t footballer (for all his talent). He continually dishes it out, but then goes down at the slightest contact. A modern day Drogba or van Nistelrooy. In the very first minute, he threw an arm into White's face. Should have been booked. He went through both White and Tomiyasu in the period before he clothes-lined the full-back (again no booking), and booted White into the air with the ball off the pitch - all before half-time - whilst at the same time also managing to win free kicks by throwing himself to the turf on maybe three occasions. But it's Anfield, and it's Michael Oliver, so we don't expect justice to be meted out.
People might tell me that all that is Sour Grapes - and no, it probably wouldn't have changed the result - but it's easier to play/hold out against 10 men than 11. And I stand by my opinion of Mane; an easy nomination into the Premier League Snide XI alongside the likes of Maupay, Marcos Alonso, James McArthur, Richarlison, Jonny Evans, Vardy, Almiron, Shane Long, plus of course Kane and Son - the ultimate snide double act.
Liverpool are a fine side, so defeat is no disgrace. They have players who I'd take in my side in a heartbeat. TAA, VVD, Salah (for all that he has the sort of face that you just want to punch!) and - especially - Fabinho.
If there's one player in the league who I covet, it's the Brazilian. You can keep your De Bruynes, your Fodens and your Lukakus; here is one player who'd make a massive difference no matter what team he plays for. I think he's fantastic at what he does.
So, as Aaron Ramsdale said after the game, we put this to the side and move on to the considerably less formidable challenge of bottom-of-the-table Newcastle United on Saturday. Starting then, we will certainly have easier matches than the one we just had. In fact, just about every match we play will be easier than that one. COYG!
And just before I go, I'd like to complain about... Watford! Sure, you got your fabulous 4-1 win over Manchester United. But you've ruined the fun for the rest of us. Those two late goals are what finished Solskjaer off. If you'd have just held on to 2-1 he'd probably still be in charge. Disappointing...
I'll be back next week.
The criticism of Mane is way off the mark and just another lame excuse
ReplyDeleteWell, we shall have to agree to disagree. The photographic evidence is there. He is an overly physical player, who is 'enabled' by the atmosphere at Anfield to get away with it.
DeleteThat's twice in two weeks (the other vs Athletico Madrid) where he's had it highlighted. He had to be substituted in that CL game for his own 'protection', and now this. Not enough of a spotlight is shone on the 'dark arts' in my opinion; and until it happens then they will continue.