Arsenal
Brendan Rodgers Lost A Tactical Battle Against Arsenal – Highlights + Analysis
Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool: Tactical Analysis
A chilly Saturday night in a packed Emirates stadium saw Arsenal take on Liverpool in what was a cracker of match a between two of the most high flying sides in the English Premier League. There was no Jack wilshere for the home side albeit a knee injury and Glen Johnson was ruled out for the travelling Merseysiders as he was ill, replaced by the young and energetic John Flanangan.
Liverpool arguably started better amongst the two teams slowing down the tempo and controlling the pace of the game playing between the channels within the Arsenal midfield. Mikel Arteta exactly showed why Arsenal were missing Flamini who is a much better holding midfielder than the Spaniard. Arteta lost the balls far too often, even though he has exquisite passing ability he is very poor defensively, with Suarez cutting him open time and again.
However the opening goal came as Mikel Arteta released the overlapping right wingback Bacary Sagna who cut back for Cazorla, the Spaniard could only hit the post on the first time but he reacted quickly to the second ball and slotted it home much to the delight of the packed Emirates.
So could the goal have been avoided? Let’s analyze:
Liverpool’s right wing back Flanagan is caught behind the ball, high up the pitch, Cazorla makes the run into the box and gets his header. When you are playing a back three that’s exactly the problem, Sakho goes out wide to stop the cross from Sagna, but fails to do so, Kolo Toure, given his age doesn’t know where he is and Skrtel should have reacted first to the second ball, doesn’t and there you go, its 1-0 for the home side.
Liverpool however would be furious from Martin Atkinson’s decision who, only God knows why failed to play the advantage when Suarez was tripped by Sagna.
Lets’ just analyze the situation: Suarez gets fouled by Sagna, quickly gets up takes the free kick quickly, lays it onto Sturridge who is onside, the Englishman plays it for the on rushing Henderson who rolls the ball into the net. That should have been 1-1 but Mr Atkinson thought otherwise. He could have easily waited for the next break of play and booked Sagna, instead he calls the play back with Liverpool being rightly furious at the decision. If we see the replays again and if it was a clear goalscoring opportunity (as per Atkinson’s decision) that probably should have been a sending off. If I remember clearly Atkinson was the man who, a few gameweeks earlier stopped Jozy Altidore, called the play back and denied Sunderland a goal through advantage against the Gunners at the Stadium of Lights sending Paolo Di Canio furious on the sidelines.
Liverpool passed the ball brilliantly switching sides but Arsenal held on till half time. At the beginning of the second half, Brendan Rodgers brought on Coutinho in place of Aly Cissokho reverting to a flat back four which meant Henderson and Coutinho would be playing as wingers, this perhaps suited Arsenal playing against this formation. Giroud had the best chance to put the Guneers two ahead when he picked a rare loose ball from Kolo Toure, but fluffed his chip wide on one against the on rushing Simon Mingolet.
Ramsey doubled the lead for the home side which epitomised brilliant technique to shoot from distance past the diving Mingolet. Liverpool however should have definitely not conceded this one, when you are playing a flat back four, you are expected to get tight with the players outside the box, which doesn’t happen albeit Sakho and Toure yet again. Much to Arsenal’s credit, Steven Gerrard had a shocker of an outing, neither tracing back nor going forward, playing too deep and into the hands of Arsenal’s dazzling midfield.
Liverpool’s best chance came after almost 72 mins when Suarez brushed his outside of the boot shot against the post. The Uruguayan was however not at his incisive best and Sturridge looked too static for the away side’s liking. But what for me was decisive was Olivier Giroud’s brilliant hold up play and bringing others into the game. He time and again won the aerial duels with Kolo Toure or Martin Skrtel which meant the likes of Ramseys, Cazorlas, Rosickys or Ozils would get more involved in the final third.
Unique Stat: This perhaps has been the first time I have seen a manager make three defensive substitutions, Wenger bringing on Monreal, Vermalen and Jenkinson thus withdrawing their two of their midfielders in Ramsey, Cazorla and also the injured Kieran Gibbs.
All in all it was a convincing victory for the home side given they were without Famini, Walcott, Wilshere and two others, which certainly ascertains their title aspirations. For Liverpool though, they did produce some good football, but I was disappointed on how Brendan Rodgers lost the game tactically against the Grand old man of the Premier League in Arsene Wenger.
Watch the highlights here:
Arsenal Dragon
Experienced Vet Wins Arsenal Women’s October Player of the Month After Breaking Goal Drought
Beth Mead has been named Arsenal Women’s Player of the Month for October after ending her goalless run with a crucial strike in the Champions League victory over Benfica. The England winger secured 56% of supporter votes, comfortably ahead of Mariona Caldentey in second place and Kim Little in third.
First Goal of the Season Breaks the Deadlock
Mead’s drought-ending goal arrived in Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League victory at Benfica, pouncing on defensive hesitation inside the penalty area to open scoring and set the Gunners on course for their first win in the competition this season. The strike came at a crucial moment as Arsenal sought to bounce back from their opening defeat to Lyon.
Her goal demonstrated the predatory instincts that made her one of England’s most dangerous attackers, capitalizing on mistakes with razor-sharp reactions inside the box. While she hadn’t found the net earlier in the campaign, her overall contributions remained valuable through work rate and creative output.
Read More: 3 Reasons Arsenal Should Sign Rodrygo
Rotation Role Continues Under Slegers
Mead featured in all four Arsenal matches during October, starting twice and coming off the bench twice against Brighton and Manchester City in WSL action. Renee Slegers has managed her minutes carefully, balancing Mead’s experience with the need to rotate attacking options across multiple competitions.
The 29-year-old’s return to form arrives at the perfect time as Arsenal prepare for their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Her ability to deliver in Europe’s premier competition could prove decisive as Arsenal chase qualification for the knockout rounds while maintaining their domestic title challenge.
Winning October’s award provides momentum heading into a congested November schedule that includes crucial fixtures against Chelsea and Bayern Munich, where Mead’s big-game experience will be vital for Arsenal’s ambitions on multiple fronts.
Read More: Katie Reid Injury Explained: How Long Will The Teenage Sensation Be Out for Arsenal Women?
Arsenal Dragon
Katie Reid Injury Explained: How Long Will The Teenage Sensation Be Out for Arsenal Women?
Arsenal Women have confirmed their worst fears—Katie Reid has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament during training, ending the 19-year-old defender’s breakthrough season just months after earning her first England senior call-up. The injury represents a devastating blow for both Reid personally and Arsenal’s title ambitions.
The Injury Timeline and Recovery Process
Reid sustained the ACL rupture in training last week, forcing Arsenal to confirm the news publicly after initial scans revealed the extent of the damage. She’s expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, with Arsenal targeting a return for the 2026-27 season.
ACL injuries typically require 9-12 months of rehabilitation before players can return to competitive action. Reid faces surgery first, followed by extensive physiotherapy focusing on regaining knee stability, strength, and confidence performing the explosive movements central to elite football. Arsenal’s medical staff will monitor her progress closely, though rushing recovery risks re-injury or long-term complications.
Her absence creates immediate defensive problems. Reid had displaced Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina in the pecking order following Leah Williamson’s knee surgery earlier this season, earning widespread praise for her composure and maturity beyond her teenage years. Losing Reid forces Arsenal to rely on depth options who haven’t matched her consistency.
Arsenal’s Growing ACL Crisis
Reid becomes Arsenal’s third ACL casualty this season, highlighting a concerning pattern that demands investigation. Goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger suffered the same injury in training earlier in the campaign, ruling her out for the remainder of the season. Michelle Agyemang ruptured her ACL while on England international duty, completing an unprecedented injury crisis affecting Arsenal’s squad depth.
Three ACL injuries to one squad within months suggests potential issues with training loads, pitch conditions, or strength-and-conditioning protocols that Arsenal must address urgently. While ACL ruptures can occur randomly, the clustering raises legitimate questions about whether preventable factors contributed to this epidemic.
Reid had withdrawn from England duty last month with a groin issue before making a late substitute appearance in Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Leicester. Days later, training brought the devastating knee injury that’s now derailed her momentum. Her rapid rise from academy prospect to first-team regular and England international has been halted cruelly just as she established herself among Europe’s most promising young defenders.
Read More: 3 Reasons Arsenal Should Sign Rodrygo
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Legend Slams “Phantom Handball” Decision: WSL Not Ready for VAR Until Referees Go Professional
Ian Wright delivered a scathing assessment of officiating standards during Arsenal Women’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, calling Stina Blackstenius’ disallowed goal a “phantom handball” and “the hand of god that only the referee saw.” The Arsenal legend argued that the WSL must prioritize professionalizing referees before introducing VAR technology.
Read More: 3 Things We Learned From Arsenal’s 2-2 Draw Against Sunderland
Professional Referees First, VAR Second
Speaking on the Crossways podcast with Steph Houghton, Wright rejected immediate VAR implementation despite both managers demanding its introduction. “Firstly, instead of bringing in VAR, we need to get referees professional before we go anywhere near VAR so they can ref the game and have confidence in what they are doing. Then, VAR helps them,” Wright stated.
His criticism centered on the referee’s inexplicable decision to chalk off Blackstenius’ goal for handball when replays showed no contact whatsoever. Houghton noted Lucy Bronze’s reaction was telling—”nobody flinched” when the ball hit the net, suggesting even Chelsea players recognized the goal’s legitimacy before the referee intervened.
Wright suggested Italian football’s trial of manager VAR challenges could provide a solution. “If I got to see that incident with just a television screen and a different angle, I would be able to say to the referee in 30 seconds, she didn’t touch it with her hand. That game is too big for the referees and officials to be that definite about an incident.”
Infrastructure Barriers Block VAR Implementation
Both Wright and Houghton agreed the WSL lacks necessary infrastructure for VAR rollout. Wright highlighted practical obstacles: “You can’t be putting VAR equipment at Tottenham at Brisbane Road. You have also got West Ham playing at Dagenham and Brighton at Crawley. The infrastructure is not there for it.”
Arsenal were denied three legitimate goals during Saturday’s draw—Blackstenius’ phantom handball, Frida Maanum’s questionable offside, and Alessia Russo’s strike that stood despite offside debates. Sky Sports pundit Izzy Christiansen claimed Arsenal were “robbed,” while Wright insisted Chelsea were fortunate not to lose 3-1.
The controversy could prove decisive in the title race, with Arsenal remaining five points behind Chelsea after dropping two points through officiating incompetence.
Read More: Arsenal in the Hunt for 18-year-old Teenage Sensation from RB Leipzig
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”