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A sensational strike from Andrey Arshavin clinched a vital victory for Arsenal at Anfield that saw them make up ground on the top two and piled further misery onto Rafa Benitez's Liverpool. The little Russian's fizzing drive flew in off the post and was the one moment of true class in an otherwise forgettable encounter. It was a goal worthy of winning any game.
The Gunners had to come from behind to take the points after having been on the rack for much of the first half and they were somewhat fortunate to go in at the break only one down. Torres spurned a decent chance and Gerrard had a penalty claim turned down that would have been awarded most other weekends. Liverpool deservedly took the lead in the 41st minute when Fabio Aurelio floated an innocuous freekick into the box. Manuel Almunia came for it but could only ineffectually palm it out to Dirk Kuyt who steered the ball home. Despite having to wade through bodies, it was weak and indecisive goalkeeping from the Spaniard who still looks short on confidence and does not command the area as strongly as he should.
After the interval though, the tide turned entirely. Arsenal started the second period far more purposefully and when Glen Johnson netted an own goal in the 50th minute to level the scores, the Gunners were right back in it. Eight minutes later, Arshavin compounded Johnson’s agony by stepping inside him on the edge of the area and despatching a thunderous shot into the net before the hapless England full-back - and indeed Reina in the Liverpool goal - knew what had hit them. The Russian scored some truly special goals in last season’s 4-4 thriller at Anfield and this strike was comparable with the best of them.
The remainder of the match was something of a bloodless stalemate. Liverpool could not summon the momentum to fashion an equaliser and Arsenal rarely looked like adding to the margin of victory. Still, it has often been said about this team that they don’t win regularly enough when they are playing badly, particularly away from home, but today they did just that. Though far from their best, once they got in front, they looked comfortable enough in holding their lead.
Whatever gripes there might be about aspects of the performance, the most important thing was the outcome and this was a very big result indeed. It capped a weekend that was something of a dream for Arsenal supporters. With Spurs and Manchester United losing and Chelsea only managing a spluttering draw, taking three points at Anfield could not have been any sweeter. It is a result that gives the Gunners a little bit of breathing space ahead of the teams lining up behind them trying to break into the top four and it also pegs back a few points on Chelsea and Manchester United.
In recent weeks, the Gunners have looked a long way from being title-contenders and that perception was not particularly altered by the manner of the display at Anfield, even though the result was fantastic. But, regardless of how they might look, the table does not lie and no one is running away with it yet this season. With Chelsea and Manchester United showing that they are both capable of dropping points and losing games, as the title-race reaches its midway point, it is still wide open. Now only six points behind the leaders with a game in hand, Arsenal are definitely still in it.
Coming up is the hazardous Christmas period when the games come thick and fast and the resources of all squads are stretched to the maximum. Before then though, Arsene Wenger’s men travel to Turf Moor on Wednesday night to face a Burnley team who have proved they are no mugs on their own patch. Most notably this season, they have held Aston Villa to a draw and beaten Manchester United and the Gunners would be foolish to underestimate them in front of their own fans.
After defeats at Old Trafford, Eastlands and the Stadium of Light, the victory at Anfield ought to give the players some confidence that they are capable of picking up points at difficult away grounds. Certainly, that is a habit they need to cultivate if they are to keep themselves in contention and there is no doubt that a cold December Wednesday night at Burnley in front of a vociferous support will be a real test of their mettle.
Comments
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Posted by Jiminy Cricket on 12/13/2009
Against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Sunderland, Arsenal have been unable to string together their normal, intricate passing. Why? I think they've shown how much they miss a big striker. Without one, the opposing defenders know that Arsenal can't send long passes and crosses into and around the box, so they pressure Arsenal high up the pitch and close off the flanks. Since Van Persie and Bendtner got injured, there's been very little sign of Sagna or Traore marauding down wide open flanks like we're so used to seeing Arsenal fullbacks do. And before Nasri, Fabregas, Rosicky, or Arshavin can string passes together, they get shoved off the ball by defenders who know they don't really need to worry about crosses into the box. Wenger can't really be blamed for not having a tall striker, with both RVP and Bendtner injured. He has even admitted he will have to buy in January. If any other team lost their top two strikers (say, Chelsea losing Drogba and Anelka) they would look pretty average too.
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Posted by prince on 12/13/2009
i knew thw game would go either way...most likely in favour of arsenal.and it did.
arsenal had to win scrabbly,thanks to glen johnson,arshavin.
liverpool have a problem they need to work on as quickly as possible if they will end top4.the mental/psychological state of the Reds needs to be worked on seriously.benitez needs to admit he has made some errors.
anyway,am happy arsenal won:at least the title is still within view.
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Posted by lbfam11 on 12/13/2009
brilliant win, best time for it, amazingly sublime strike....
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Posted by Patrick on 12/13/2009
Great win, Arsenal just need to hold on and wait for the transfer window and hopefully get carlton cole (who is not cup tied) or ruud van nistleroy (who is cup tied) or why not both? And fabianski will get a run in soon since almunia has struggled with crosses in the air and since mannone did not prove himself. Also hopefully traore and arshavin didn't get injured too bad (silvestre would be fine in that role but still, 4th string left back, cmon).
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Posted by ilya bashtavenko on 12/13/2009
I'm very happy that the gunners have finally siezed the opportunity to make up points when our rivals slipped up. The performance was weak but I'll take the luck, seeing how little of it we have had recently. We should all be counting down the days till the beggining of January, since we know that the injuries are only gonna get worse. I'm interested to hear who arsene has been scouting for a van p. replacement. Ideas anyone??? Dzeko would be the ideal type in my opinion, size-wise, but the options are pretty limited for non cup tied players.
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Posted by dave on 12/13/2009
what arsenal needs right now is belief that they can win with the squad that they have...fans should likewise do this to create a positive atmosphere around the players. go ARSENAL!!!!!
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Posted by Abdulaziz on 12/14/2009
Finally Arsenal has registered a win at Anfield and the fact that they won without particularly playing well brings forth their mental strength, even though this argurably has to go down as one of the worst periods of Liverpool F.C over the past six years.Wenger did argue after our loss to Chelsea that they would drop points. In truth we have successfuly made 5 points on Chelsea since the defeat 2 weeks ago. Now we need to fathom the energy to go on a winning streak. Our next games against Burnley,Hull,Villa,Bolton and Pompey are all winnables. If the team can win these games then anything can happen. The title is still within our reach and surely we can have a go.
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Posted by Sever on 12/14/2009
An uplifting victory, it seemed written in the stars that Arshavin would score! Almost identical to some of his goals at Anfield last season.
Football is about taking your chances. We did that, and punished liverpool's wastefulness. We showed character in the second half, a refreshing change from Arsenal's spinelessness of recent weeks.
However, I remain a skeptic about this team's chances. We remain defensively unsure, physically weak and injury prone. Our first half performance was abysmal, our attack lacked any semblance of penetration or pace or incisiveness (although it was a relief to see Arsenal players having a long range shot!). We were EXTREMELY lucky to equalize, and only after that did we take control of the game and close Liverpool down, with Song making a massive contribution. Yet Liverpool are currently even more psychologically frail than we are, so I cannot feel boastful about this victory.
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Posted by Danny boy on 12/14/2009
This match Fabregas is rather quiet. He really need to step up as a leader in the first half. The second half was much more lively from Arsenal where more players counted. Song was stamping his authority and Denilson passing the ball more hence Gerrard was more in check.
I was kinda quietly happy that Arshavin could now focus on club rather than world cup. He really counted when the team look to experience. Other than the flappable Alumnia and the tough Gallas he is the only player above 27 leading the charge.
There are positives from this match. Traore looks more comfortable in the second half. More shooting practice for Theo and Nasri.
David, you are right. 3 more day to next match at Burnley. This could be the affirmation of Arsenal determination and quality in the ranks that we are there in the title for grab.
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Posted by medumy on 12/14/2009
critical win for us, especially without natural born striker presence in the team . i just hope that adriano will come. his physical presence is needed in arsenal's attacking area. arsenal should have physical element in other area as well.
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Posted by Maran on 12/14/2009
The worrying display of Arsenal players continued up to the end of first half. But the second half performance was a motivated and purposeful one, albeit not menacing and dominating,was indeed a motivated and purposeful one, one that we have not seen for a long time. 2 encouraging signs were noted. The players had shown self belief that they can continue scoring and winning even without RVP or Bentner. The second is the Arsene's tirade in dressing room. Arsene never believed in the effectiveness of a "hairdryer" but it probably dawned on him now, particularly when the young gunners put in a more determined performance in the second half. It is better to stop lamenting and start pushing your players. And yesterday this philosophy had yielded results. Boy how important this was. I think this can potentially be a turning point for Arsenal. The players have seen how purposeful performance, with desire can be achieved even in the absence of key players. Lesson hopefully learnt.
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Posted by cy chin on 12/14/2009
I like the way that wenger teach thier kids,Especially in the dressing room against liverpool yesterday.Scream....to make he's kids "wake up".
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Posted by MARIGA OKOTH on 12/14/2009
Arshervin is proving to be great striker and is following the footstep of VP, i like the anger that the manager put to our players and he should do it that way always for us to get a silverware this season
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Posted by Emeka Obi Esq on 12/14/2009
Brilliant performance, but the key word for future games is " consistency '. Let us all look forward to a solid run of games by the Gunners during the Christmas period.
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Posted by seray jah on 12/14/2009
in responding to jimmy cricket' points, yes 80% of your points are accurate.chelsea losing drogba and anelka won't be as average arsenal is -because they have others as closely stronger as drogba/anelka. infarct, van persie is not so strong either to play as top striker. he falls many times in a game even with slight contacts. the only thing, he knows how to run in spaces & creates ways to be found. AW is tobe blame. I wish God will go in his heart to look for strong attackers who can hold on tothe ball. As great he is as a coach the more stuborn he can be also as a person. he will claimed to buy players when trouble strucks. if those injured players becomes active he will say we have a standard team, so we dont need buy to anyone. lets wait & see if he is going to buy anyone in the transfer window. Aw is an intelegent man and knows very well how to play with fans intellegents. watch out jimmy in january
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Posted by Kay on 12/14/2009
It was a sweet victory and Wenger was right to say that these teams (Chelsea and Man U) will lose some points. I also agree that The Reds will be difficult to beat once they pick their form with most of their influencial players returning.Yes we need a tall striker who can bang those goals, we can get two, one who is cup tied will not only play Champs league football but can do us good in Prem & FA. I would go for Dzeko, Ruud Van Nistleroy or Cole.It wont be bad to also get the exciting Bojan.I just feel with Arshavin scoring now and Bendtner getting back, Wenger will not buy in January.Almunia is costing us, what a terrible blunder.I believe we still in there, just need consistency and hopefully come January we will be tops.
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Posted by Ikenna Lovely Ayodele on 12/14/2009
Well I think the results of last weekend just go to show that the league this season doesn't have a destination yet. Am impressed with the result at liverpool but the performance isn't convincing enough. I want to suggest that wenger should look for a tall striker in the January transfer window.
Gunner for life!
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Posted by ifeanyi udemezue on 12/14/2009
I do not care if the performance was scrappy. A win is a win! A win is even sweeter if it against Liverpool or any of the big teams. Can these boys find consistency? Can they keep on winning ugly? Will Almunia ever improve? Will Arsene Wenger buy at least one good striker? These to me are the questions that will determine their title contending ambition this season. A big congratulations for the win though.
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Posted by FRED on 12/14/2009
I THINK ARSEN WENGER SHOULD SIGN A GOOD FORWARD FOR THE TEAM.I LOVE ARSENAL AND I KEEP ON SUPPORTING THE TEAM.I LOVE U ALL.
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Posted by Maran on 12/15/2009
The first half performance was indeed pathetic. But somethings changed for the second half. One can be attributed to the players' newfound confidence following the break. The second was the tactical switch between Nasri, Walcott and Arshavin. That leads to one issue. I feel that with Walcott deployed on the right, Arsenal play with 10 men. It is utterly wasteful not to exploit his strength and even more wasteful not to understand his weakness. He is most uncomfortable in the right wing, unable to exploit the runs from Sagna, or send any purposeful cross from the wing. He is a different player from Aaron Lennon. I hope Arsene realises this and is able to raise his confidence soon, before he follows the footpath of David Bentley. Some players can be groomed, some just be exploited for their innate strengths. Not all of them can be Henry. But at least switching play was still a good tactical initiative, unlike previous games where the team continued cluelessly throught when they were down
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Posted by Steven Chong on 12/15/2009
Arsene Wenger is no fool, I am sure he knows the team badly needs a striker to replace the injured Robin Van Persie. With only Bendtner available after New Year, Wenger has very little options in the remaining fixtures for the busy month of December. He could only turn to Arshavin, Eduardo and maybe Carlos Vela to fill the centre forward role. If we analyse the trio, only Eduardo is really capable of assuming the task. But, after the broken leg suffered at Birmingham two seasons ago, he has yet to regain to his best form. Even so, Eduardo still somewhat looked light weight in front of strong and fierce defenders like John Terry and Richardson. This lack of physical stature to command the attacking play is not going to be resolved unless Wenger buys a target man from the January transfer window.
Looking at contracts being extended in the name of Eduardo and Vela, Wenger does not seeemd to have the intention to buy in January 2010.
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Posted by JK on 12/15/2009
Actually,I dont care if a replacement striker is cup tied.We still have bendtner for the champions league.We should buy mario balotelli from inter he is a powerful striker,tall, has skill, and can score from set-pieces.He is also young which is why wenger might prefer him to others.for a goalkeeper we should buy the espanyol goalkeeper carlos kameni.He is a bit like shay given with his reactions and performances for espanyol this season.And plus, he is not cup tied.Mabye wenger could buy john carewor agbonlahor from villa.Cheaper than balotelli.Anyway,Go gunners!
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Posted by Kaspar Hakkesteegt on 12/15/2009
Luckily i only watched the second half and was very pleased to see arsenal churn out a win. Felt that vermaelen was once again playing very well, much more consistent than toure would have been.
We really do need a good striker in the january transfer window, i feel Dzeko would be a great addition. A signing of the quality of Arshavin as a full-blown striker would really give me hope as to arsenal's title ambitions.
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Posted by Curt on 12/15/2009
I hope we buy David Villa, yes I know its farfetched but he's rated about 30m by sevilla atleats thats the rumor, if we splash the cash he would obviously do a world of difference for the Arsenal...
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Posted by bobbys on 12/15/2009
i am glad that arsenal won the game, but i still believe that we can do better with the players we have, for instance i think instead of walcott starting he should come off the bench in the second half with about 30 minutes left to go when the opposition is tired, everytime he has done that he has looked good because of his speed making him effective, i think ramsey is a very decent attacking midfield player so i would start with song,denilson,fabregas,ramsey,nasri and arshavin as the midfeild players,strikers
i think this would give us the best offence while still allowing our offensive players to help defensivel
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Posted by jeff on 12/15/2009
congratulations guys, for me i prefer arsenal to play ugly and grind out result than entertaining even no gunners fans and spetectors without wining.This is the time for results and not playing to entertain people.Even ManU does it.
As for hiring of attackers cole, fabiano, dzeko or agbolahun will no be bad.
Posted by ighodaro j on 12/15/2009
arsenal is the best club in the world ,u like it or not
Posted by Mwanji Yohana on 01/12/2010
Big up Wenger, but u have to sign a new striker.
Posted by Zairi on 01/20/2010
Go Go Arsenal...Arshavin is top class player..arsenal should be proud they have him..10/2 again Arsenal VS Liverpool...hope more great battle in Emirates soon
Posted by Donald Pratt on 01/30/2010
YOU are a wonderful player and a good playmaker,and i am a fan of arsenal football club.i am a sierraleone by nationality.i would like to be your friend.
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About
Sam Limbert: My retirement as a football player came at the age of 14 due to being rubbish, it's fair to say I was more Kaba Diawara than Thierry Henry, so I turned my focus to writing about the game. I'm a lifelong Arsenal fan and have been lucky enough to watch the team across England and Europe. My favourite Gunner of all time is Dennis Bergkamp, and the 2004 Invincibles is the greatest side I've ever seen in English football. I try to be positive about the Arsenal as it's the hope that keeps us going! Follow me on twitter @SamsMatchReport.
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