3 Key Talking Points From Arsenal vs Liverpool (4-1): How Far Can The Gunners Go?

Liverpool’s hopes of finishing in the top four were dealt a massive blow after they were blown apart by Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday. Both teams traded some early blows before the Spanish right-back Hector Bellerin opened the scoring with a wonderful curling left-footed strike. Mesut Ozil doubled the lead with a fantastic free kick just three minutes later. And just on the stroke of half-time Alexis Sanchez made it 3-0.

From then onwards, there was no way back for the Reds who were without their suspended duo of Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel. Even a late Jordan Henderson goal was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors, who had Emre Can sent off in the final few minutes. Olivier Giroud’s stoppage-time goal now means that Brendan Rodgers’ side have now suffered back-to-back defeats after a 13-game unbeaten run in the league. Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. Liverpool’s defense ripped apart by rampant Gunners

Since the 3-0 loss to Manchester United in December, Liverpool hadn’t conceded a single league goal away from home. A run that stretched six games, coming into a crucial clash against Arsenal. But if there were any suggestions that the Reds have gotten better defensively, that was certainly quashed after the 4-1 defeat.

While Rodgers has managed to somehow keep the goals to a minimum, it hasn’t been because of better defensive displays. In fact, the only defensive player that has improved in that spell has been the goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, who deserves some credit for keep the score down to just 4-1. The wingbacks, Alberto Moreno in particular, seem to have forgotten the basics of defending and they are simply inviting pressure onto themselves with some of their mistakes at the back. Against a better quality opposition, who can actually threaten the defense, the Reds continue to struggle and this result, might just end their Champions League pursuit.

2. How far can the Gunners go?

Like a marathon runner who knows when to up the ante, Arsenal have peaked at the precise moment. For all the talk of them finishing outside the top four or not improving on last season, the win was their ninth successive home league win and moves them into second place. Arsene Wenger’s side are now within touching distance of Chelsea and while they may not end up catching them, their game against the league leaders in three weeks time now takes added significance.

While their exit in the Champions League was obviously disappointing, they might well finish the season with a trophy and in the top two in the league, for the first time in nine years. If you needed proof that the Gunners are heading in the right direction, then that certainly is that.

3. Reds season crumbling down

Raheem Sterling

Liverpool’s unbeaten start to 2015 helped catapult them from ninth place to within touching distance of a Champions League spot. All they had to do, in order to stay in the race for the top four, was merely ensure that their momentum was severely hampered in the back-to-back league games against United and Arsenal. Unfortunately for Rodgers, that is exactly what has transpired.

After the 4-1 loss to the Gunners, all of their momentum has evaporated and has left the club with a realistic possibility of going from playing in the Champions League to a season without European football. Injuries and suspensions to key players is costing the Reds an opportunity to consolidate on last season’s second-place finish. While nobody expected them to repeat that, failure to qualify for Europe, might just increase the pressure on the manager and maybe force their star asset, Raheem Sterling to look at avenues elsewhere.