Arsenal came from behind to secure a crucial, invaluable win at Anfield as Andrey Arshavin returned to haunt the Kop.

The first half was one I’d desperately like to brush aside from memory, but truth be told, Arsenal were a shambles. Rafa Benitez was spot on in his squad selections and picked a midfield that jostled and eventually dominated the centre-circle, allowing no space for Fabregas to let off passes. The Liverpool defence did a good job at nullifying Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri up front, while Arshavin failed to find the space to turn in on goal.

Torres broke dangerously through the middle and you’d have banked on him to score when his captain fed him through. His shot was tame and saved low by Manuel Almunia. It was a turgid team display, summed up by William Gallas’ ‘foul’ on Steven Gerrard. Gerrard played the ball ahead and then clattered over Gallas, but Howard Webb ruled it fair game. Gallas tempted fate again when later in the half he tripped up Torres just outside the box, but again got off the hook.

Maybe we were due some luck, who knows. Whatever it was, we had been riding it long into the 41st minute, when Manuel Almunia punched poorly at a cross, and Dirk Kuyt was on hand to stab it home. The whole half, Almunia had been poor and looked panicked on every ball in the air.

In what will be remembered in Arsenal circles for some time, the team trudged off to the dressing room where a seething Arsene Wenger awaited them. Cesc Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen both recounted after the match how furious the manager was, accusing them of not being fit enough to wear the shirt of Arsenal FC.

THAT’S MORE LIKE IT, ARSENE!

And so it proved, as Arsenal transformed from limping caterpillars to gun-toting butterfly hell-spawns. Five minutes in, Nasri put in a cross that bamboozled the ‘Pool defence. Carragher was wrong-footed, Walcott was a danger in the middle, but it was £18million Glen Johnson who poked the ball past his own goal-line.

It was comparable to Diaby at Old Trafford in how bizzare it was, but Theo was giving the defender second thoughts. In the end, these things happen. We knew one goal, by hook or by crook, would make Liverpool panic, and that is exactly how it played.

Fabregas fed in a cross for Walcott in the middle, but it found it’s way to Arshavin who nipped the ball off Johnson’s feet (£18million, if you need reminding) and smashed the ball high, in off the bar, 2-1 Arsenal.

It was majestic, brilliant, magical. The space he had to aim for was minimal. But Arshavin proved he is one of the best players in the league with that singular moment of imperial quality.

From then on, Arsenal effectively shut the game out, as a demoralised Liverpool never hinted at testing the bumbling Almunia. Gallas and Vermaelen cut out everything as Arsenal played for time and fashioned a rare, precious win at Anfield.

Almunia – 5: Flapped and punched weakly at many crosses in the first half, and had his defence to thank for having minimal work to do in the second. This has been the worst possible season for Almunia and it says a lot that his understudy, Fabianski, is showing him how it’s done on scant appearances.
Sagna – 6.5: At times his link ups with Walcott was smart but he could never find the pass to Arshavin, due in no part to Liverpool’s pressure. Rarely beaten in the second half as Arsenal shut up shop.
Gallas – 7: Bit of a ‘mare in the first half as he invited Gerrard to sprawl all over him then tripped up Torres on the edge of the box. Was much more composed in the second and notably did not get forward once in open play. Defence was the order of the day and he performed well.
Vermaelen – 8: The popular choice for man of the match and it was obvious why. Caught out on a quick break early on in the game, but his aerial dominance and quick spotting of trouble brewing in the later stages meant the home side were never getting past him.
Traore – 6: Flat footed once or twice but Vermaelen’s confidence rubbed off on him in the second half. Decent overall.
Song – 7: Can still learn a lot from the likes of Mascherano. Gets forward a bit too often without producing a telling pass. His best work comes from the half-way line, both in finding players and cancelling out moves. Shaky at first, but dominant as the game came to a close.
Denilson – 7: Was everywhere across the pitch and his passing and ability to get out of tight spots was decent. Did the thankless tasks in the second half well.
Fabregas – 6: Made obsolete in the first half, came out of his shell a bit more in the second. Not his best game, but once he found space away from Lucas and Mascherano, his eye for a pass was evident.
Nasri – 7: Ineffective at first, but became more of a presence in the second half. Scuttled about, got behind his man and put in two crosses that led to goals.
Walcott – 6: Copping some unfair criticism from a number of fans. Similar to Nasri, was failing to provide an effective foil to Arshavin. But after Wenger’s rollicking, interchanged well across the forward line and got behind the defence. His link-up play with Sagna was good throughout the match.
Arshavin – 7.5: Amazing finish for the second goal. We’ve become accustomed to matches where he’s quiet for a period, then in a flash, he’s conjured up magic. Grew into the game, but is always a danger.
SUBS: Diaby – 6: Added some physical (tall) presence up front.
Ramsey – 6: Not much time to get into the game but put himself about.
Silvestre – N/A: Came on late on in place of the injured Traore.

Even by the second half, Arsenal had only had an ‘average’ game. Yet like Fulham away, we came away with the three points. A win against Liverpool at Anfield will always remain a win against Liverpool at Anfield. It’s something to celebrate, rather than look for criticisms.

Don’t get me wrong, there were some things that needed obvious attention. Arsenal’s style, on paper, should be adaptable enough to counter a pressing midfield two (Lucas and Mascherano) by getting the forwards or full backs into midfield and provide more passing options. Furthermore, Nasri and Walcott’s wing-play left something to be desired and will be addressed on the training ground.

But there is so much to be heartened from this performance as well. The theory of Wenger’s myopia to his team’s failings, as some like to put it, was dashed with his now famous dressing down of the side at half time. The wingers found space better, the general quality of passing and possession improved, and the team opportunistically preyed on Liverpool’s propensity to panic. That’s clever, that’s street-smart, that’s something to be applauded.

Arshavin is clearly in love with Anfield and his finish was beyond the top-drawer. Vermaelen was imperious in the air and deservedly got MOTM honours. But ultimately, it was a victory against a perfectly balanced Liverpool side. Say what you want about their form, their bad luck, what have you. Rafa put out a well-complimented side tonight, and we fashioned a win against the odds.

Almunia’s form is beyond a worry now. It surely must be time for Fabianski, who would have gotten the chance Mannone did but for injury, to take the gloves and give it a shot. Flapping at balls and conceding with your back to the centre circle is made all the more awful when you walk into a match like this chewing gum. Patience, even from myself, is running out.

I’ll finish off with this: Go easy on Walcott. He didn’t have the best of games, but to declare him ‘average’ and ‘not good enough’ is both hasty and unfair. He’s only just got back from an injury mire that was all of his own making. But there were moments even when playing badly that he managed to fashion good moves with the full backs, and, thanks to the Wenger’s fury, he played a much more effective role in both goals, as Arsenal Analysis rightly points out.

A great win, no matter the circumstances. And now we’re back within breathing space of the title favourites.

Filed under: Arsenal, English Premier League, Liverpool, Match Reports