Arsenal and Liverpool both disappointed by Anfield outcome
There seemed a clash of titans progressing all through the English Premier League’s opening weekend due to the ferociously contested matches. Arsenal have a long way to go if they are to get anywhere near the likes of Manchester United or Chelsea while Liverpool cannot be taken lightly at all and anyone who wants to write ‘pool off can do so at his own peril.
Here are a few conclusions from the game at Anfield between Arsenal and Liverpool:
- Before the start of the game both team’s managers would have settled for a point a piece if someone had offered them but both teams came out disappointed or perhaps even a little disturbed from the game and its outcome. For the hosts, it was a misfortune that was their own misdoing, the concession of a late goal via an aberration while for the visitors the disturbing factor was their performance during the 2nd half when they failed to dominate the game even with one man advantage.
- Being a goal keeper in today’s world is only a brave man’s job, one mistake and straight to the gallows. One could only wish if football was a high scoring game like basketball. Reina’s save from Rosicky just a few minutes before his blunder was an absolutely world class, something that could only be achieved by a world class goalie but the fate had humiliation for him and thus the poor guy is suffering.
- Defending Manuel Almunia is impossible, so no one should even try it. It is true that his mistake in the game was much like that of Van der Sar against Liverpool last season when Torres singlehandedly beat Manchester United but at that time nobody suggested that the Dutchman should be sold. That is only because VDS has a history of success behind him which Almunia does not have. If Arsenal are ready to endure another trophy less season then its fine as no team has ever won without a goal keeper and having Almunia in goal is like having no one.
- Staying on the goalie issue, it has been a mindboggling week as last Friday Mark Hughes said Arsenal had not contacted Fulham for the services of Schwarzer, then on Saturday Wenger said whoever plays in goal against ‘pool on Saturday will be his first choice for the whole season. After the game, when asked about the new goalie, the Frenchman said a straight NO. So by the looks of things Wenger really wants to keep Almunia in Arsenal goal for the whole season.
- Wenger also said that Almunia had a good game against Liverpool. How? Doing what? When?
- David Ngog is a fine talent but very under-appreciated, he, on the basis of his recent performances is a worthy stand in for Fernando Torres and his 4 goals in 3 most important games of the season suggest that he has a bright future. Getting beaten on your near post is a cardinal sin in football but credit goes to Ngog for firing an unstoppable thunderbolt.
- Glen Johnson has come a long way as a defender and for the whole game on Saturday he had the diminutive Russian, Andre Arshavin in his pocket. Perhaps someone should tell Arshavin that he should stop waiting for the ball to arrive at his feet and instead try to create his own opportunities.
- Courage and bravery are two over-used terms in football but hats off to Daniel Agger for continuing his play despite being in an apparent agony. Had an English rugby player done the same, the beautiful game perhaps would have never heard the end of it.
- Joe Cole’s tackle was reckless, late, stupid and dangerous. It could have ended the career of Kosciely, and although the foul itself did not warrant a red card but his recklessness did.
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