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Chitchat The Official TCSS Thread
- Thread starter Alamaking
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Which under-pressure team will get a win at Anfield: Liverpool or Arsenal?
By David Hirshey
espnfc.com
Arsene Wenger may not be winning any popularity contests at the Emirates these days, but he won't be lacking for affection when he visits Anfield on Saturday. What a warm willkommen he can expect from Jurgen Klopp, complete with a big, toothy grin and arms extended nearly as wide open as his back four was against Leicester earlier this week. God knows Wenger could use a hug, what with all the existential dread surrounding him lately. Will he go or will he stay? And if he goes, will Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil follow him out the door? If he stays, is there a high-speed ATM in North London to make Sanchez and Ozil happy?
This isn't even taking into account the ravenous beast lying in wait for the Frenchman at the Emirates where a loud faction of disgruntled "Wenger-outers" are practicing their noxious chants in anticipation of Bayern Munich dropping another five goals on the Gunners. But first, there is the small matter of beating Liverpool, a team that needs a relevant win as badly as Arsenal does.
In fact, Saturday's game between the Premier League's two most underachieving elite teams couldn't come at a better time for both managers.
Liverpool is not a Klopp crisis quite yet, but a couple more spineless performances like Monday's effort against the reigning champions (I know, it's easy to forget) will surely have the Kop faithful baying for his kopf. Klopp has enjoyed a relatively charmed 18-month ride at Anfield, but no amount of hipster cred, theatrical touchline hijinks and jokey quips to the media can cover up the ever-widening cracks in a shambolic defense.
It may have looked like a tactical masterstroke when Klopp deployed Lucas Leiva as a center-back against Spurs, and the aging Brazilian midfielder didn't allow the "world class" striker a sniff of goal. What, however, was he thinking when he stuck with that defensive strategy against Jamie Vardy, a player who makes Kane as mobile as a tree stump?
The Leicester speed merchant could carry Robert Huth on his back and still beat Leiva over 30 yards. And does any one other than Klopp believe that Emre Can, when given the responsibility of shielding the back four in place of the injured Jordan Henderson, can reproduce any of the Liverpool captain's attributes except perhaps for passing the ball sideways?
Liverpool has only won once in 2017 against a team not named Plymouth Argyle. Until this week, though, they have only disappointed their own supporters. Against Leicester, they took it one step further, letting down all right-thinking people (OK, maybe not those on the red side of Manchester) by failing to avenge Claudio Ranieri's graceless firing.
Wenger, of course, is all too familiar with gauche treatment, having endured two seasons of relentless abuse at the lungs of the What Have You Done For Me The Last 13 Years Brigade, a group that recently traveled all the way to the Allianz Arena to make sure he didn't miss the point. The Frenchman certainly doesn't need any further reminders as to what happened when Arsenal last faced the Bavarian giants. People tend to remember the worst 45 minutes of their lives.
The pummeling that Arsenal took in the second half of their Champions League match and the absence of any competitive fightback was a damning indictment of Wenger's ability to galvanize his team. Yet such is his Ferguson-esque autonomy within the club that only Wenger can call time on his two decades of imperious success mingled with serial disappointment; for the time being, he's chosen not to reveal his intentions.
This sense of uncertainty has basically forced Arsenal to put their future plans on hold, including finding the right person to fill Wenger's oversize parka as well as contractually locking up their two most prized players, Sanchez and Ozil, both of whom are waiting to see whether Wenger signs the new two-year deal that's been on the table for months.
Should things not go Arsenal's way in the next two games (and given the team's history of noble irrelevant victories, I fully expect the Gunners to eke out a win over Bayern), it's hard to see Wenger deciding to endure another season with an unforgiving mob howling for his well-coiffed head. If Wenger were to walk away, I suspect Sanchez would be right behind him. Ozil has seemingly already gone. I mean, has anybody seen him on the field in the past month?
So yes, Saturday's game is kind of important, not least because Arsenal and Liverpool are separated by only a single point in the race to see who can stumble into the final Champions League place. Liverpool can also feel the hot breath of Manchester United on their neck, with their bitter rivals a point back in sixth. Meanwhile, Arsenal have finished above Tottenham in the table for the past 21 seasons but now find themselves gazing up at their despised neighbors who are three points ahead in second place.
All of which should make for a tasty encounter, especially if their most recent meeting is any gauge. That was back in August on opening day and within an hour, all of the following occurred: Arsenal were 4-1 down, Klopp had broken his glasses and strained his back during various wild goal celebrations and Wenger was treated to a lusty chorus of boos from the home crowd. Arsenal then pulled two goals back in one of their trademark comebacks that invariably fall short (Liverpool won 4-3) and afterwards, Wenger lamented that his team wasn't ready mentally or physically. Plus ca change and all that.
Ever since, Liverpool and Arsenal have matched each other in terms of spectacular inconsistency, albeit in disparate ways. Liverpool have gone unbeaten against the other members of the top six, but four of their five losses have been to teams in the bottom half of the table. Conversely, Arsenal has steamrollered over the likes of Sunderland, Hull and Swansea only to struggle mightily against the big teams. Their last flicker of hope to contend for the title ended in a 3-1 stomping by the runaway leaders Chelsea on Feb. 4.
Similarly, it seemed ordained that Liverpool would do a face plant against Leicester, which hadn't earned a solitary point in its past five matches under Ranieri. The result was a microcosm of the Reds' staccato season, coming as it did on the heels of one of their most swashbuckling displays of the campaign, an emphatic 2-0 thumping of the white-hot Spurs. Adding to the indignity was that Liverpool had the benefit of 16 days off before the Leicester match, a welcome respite from the fixture congestion that Klopp has complained about ad nauseum ever since arriving in England.
To take advantage of what was essentially an unofficial "winter break," the manager whisked away his charges to a five-star resort in sunny Spain for training and pool-side drinks with those tiny umbrellas in them. Liverpool's meek capitulation against Leicester is proof that the Reds can sink to the occasion equally well whether physically spent or thoroughly refreshed.
To his credit, Klopp blamed himself as much as the players for the abject performance. "We all play, myself included, for our future," he said. "I don't think the players are not as good as I thought they are, but they need my help more to show it every day."
The problem is, as both Klopp and Wenger are painfully aware, that neither of them has enough strong characters in their lineups to kick-start the various delicate psyches when they fall behind. Arsenal haven't had a forceful on-field leader since Patrick Vieira, and Liverpool lost their talismanic captain Steven Gerrard two seasons ago. If they possessed a modern-day Roy Keane, then maybe Klopp and Wenger wouldn't be so stubbornly inflexible when it comes to their tactical choices.
It will be interesting to see if Wenger takes a page from the Leicester playbook and instructs his team to sit deep and concede possession to Liverpool, thereby nullifying the Reds' biggest weapon: their ability to harry and hassle the opposition in their own third.
You have to think that a draw would be acceptable to Wenger, who faces a much more daunting challenge four days later. For the looming presence of Big Bad Bayern alone, I hope Klopp gives him a long, heartfelt hug.
By David Hirshey
espnfc.com
Arsene Wenger may not be winning any popularity contests at the Emirates these days, but he won't be lacking for affection when he visits Anfield on Saturday. What a warm willkommen he can expect from Jurgen Klopp, complete with a big, toothy grin and arms extended nearly as wide open as his back four was against Leicester earlier this week. God knows Wenger could use a hug, what with all the existential dread surrounding him lately. Will he go or will he stay? And if he goes, will Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil follow him out the door? If he stays, is there a high-speed ATM in North London to make Sanchez and Ozil happy?
This isn't even taking into account the ravenous beast lying in wait for the Frenchman at the Emirates where a loud faction of disgruntled "Wenger-outers" are practicing their noxious chants in anticipation of Bayern Munich dropping another five goals on the Gunners. But first, there is the small matter of beating Liverpool, a team that needs a relevant win as badly as Arsenal does.
In fact, Saturday's game between the Premier League's two most underachieving elite teams couldn't come at a better time for both managers.
Liverpool is not a Klopp crisis quite yet, but a couple more spineless performances like Monday's effort against the reigning champions (I know, it's easy to forget) will surely have the Kop faithful baying for his kopf. Klopp has enjoyed a relatively charmed 18-month ride at Anfield, but no amount of hipster cred, theatrical touchline hijinks and jokey quips to the media can cover up the ever-widening cracks in a shambolic defense.
It may have looked like a tactical masterstroke when Klopp deployed Lucas Leiva as a center-back against Spurs, and the aging Brazilian midfielder didn't allow the "world class" striker a sniff of goal. What, however, was he thinking when he stuck with that defensive strategy against Jamie Vardy, a player who makes Kane as mobile as a tree stump?
The Leicester speed merchant could carry Robert Huth on his back and still beat Leiva over 30 yards. And does any one other than Klopp believe that Emre Can, when given the responsibility of shielding the back four in place of the injured Jordan Henderson, can reproduce any of the Liverpool captain's attributes except perhaps for passing the ball sideways?
Liverpool has only won once in 2017 against a team not named Plymouth Argyle. Until this week, though, they have only disappointed their own supporters. Against Leicester, they took it one step further, letting down all right-thinking people (OK, maybe not those on the red side of Manchester) by failing to avenge Claudio Ranieri's graceless firing.
Wenger, of course, is all too familiar with gauche treatment, having endured two seasons of relentless abuse at the lungs of the What Have You Done For Me The Last 13 Years Brigade, a group that recently traveled all the way to the Allianz Arena to make sure he didn't miss the point. The Frenchman certainly doesn't need any further reminders as to what happened when Arsenal last faced the Bavarian giants. People tend to remember the worst 45 minutes of their lives.
The pummeling that Arsenal took in the second half of their Champions League match and the absence of any competitive fightback was a damning indictment of Wenger's ability to galvanize his team. Yet such is his Ferguson-esque autonomy within the club that only Wenger can call time on his two decades of imperious success mingled with serial disappointment; for the time being, he's chosen not to reveal his intentions.
This sense of uncertainty has basically forced Arsenal to put their future plans on hold, including finding the right person to fill Wenger's oversize parka as well as contractually locking up their two most prized players, Sanchez and Ozil, both of whom are waiting to see whether Wenger signs the new two-year deal that's been on the table for months.
Should things not go Arsenal's way in the next two games (and given the team's history of noble irrelevant victories, I fully expect the Gunners to eke out a win over Bayern), it's hard to see Wenger deciding to endure another season with an unforgiving mob howling for his well-coiffed head. If Wenger were to walk away, I suspect Sanchez would be right behind him. Ozil has seemingly already gone. I mean, has anybody seen him on the field in the past month?
So yes, Saturday's game is kind of important, not least because Arsenal and Liverpool are separated by only a single point in the race to see who can stumble into the final Champions League place. Liverpool can also feel the hot breath of Manchester United on their neck, with their bitter rivals a point back in sixth. Meanwhile, Arsenal have finished above Tottenham in the table for the past 21 seasons but now find themselves gazing up at their despised neighbors who are three points ahead in second place.
All of which should make for a tasty encounter, especially if their most recent meeting is any gauge. That was back in August on opening day and within an hour, all of the following occurred: Arsenal were 4-1 down, Klopp had broken his glasses and strained his back during various wild goal celebrations and Wenger was treated to a lusty chorus of boos from the home crowd. Arsenal then pulled two goals back in one of their trademark comebacks that invariably fall short (Liverpool won 4-3) and afterwards, Wenger lamented that his team wasn't ready mentally or physically. Plus ca change and all that.
Ever since, Liverpool and Arsenal have matched each other in terms of spectacular inconsistency, albeit in disparate ways. Liverpool have gone unbeaten against the other members of the top six, but four of their five losses have been to teams in the bottom half of the table. Conversely, Arsenal has steamrollered over the likes of Sunderland, Hull and Swansea only to struggle mightily against the big teams. Their last flicker of hope to contend for the title ended in a 3-1 stomping by the runaway leaders Chelsea on Feb. 4.
Similarly, it seemed ordained that Liverpool would do a face plant against Leicester, which hadn't earned a solitary point in its past five matches under Ranieri. The result was a microcosm of the Reds' staccato season, coming as it did on the heels of one of their most swashbuckling displays of the campaign, an emphatic 2-0 thumping of the white-hot Spurs. Adding to the indignity was that Liverpool had the benefit of 16 days off before the Leicester match, a welcome respite from the fixture congestion that Klopp has complained about ad nauseum ever since arriving in England.
To take advantage of what was essentially an unofficial "winter break," the manager whisked away his charges to a five-star resort in sunny Spain for training and pool-side drinks with those tiny umbrellas in them. Liverpool's meek capitulation against Leicester is proof that the Reds can sink to the occasion equally well whether physically spent or thoroughly refreshed.
To his credit, Klopp blamed himself as much as the players for the abject performance. "We all play, myself included, for our future," he said. "I don't think the players are not as good as I thought they are, but they need my help more to show it every day."
The problem is, as both Klopp and Wenger are painfully aware, that neither of them has enough strong characters in their lineups to kick-start the various delicate psyches when they fall behind. Arsenal haven't had a forceful on-field leader since Patrick Vieira, and Liverpool lost their talismanic captain Steven Gerrard two seasons ago. If they possessed a modern-day Roy Keane, then maybe Klopp and Wenger wouldn't be so stubbornly inflexible when it comes to their tactical choices.
It will be interesting to see if Wenger takes a page from the Leicester playbook and instructs his team to sit deep and concede possession to Liverpool, thereby nullifying the Reds' biggest weapon: their ability to harry and hassle the opposition in their own third.
You have to think that a draw would be acceptable to Wenger, who faces a much more daunting challenge four days later. For the looming presence of Big Bad Bayern alone, I hope Klopp gives him a long, heartfelt hug.
Liverpool have home advantage so I expect them to win this one.
I've seen nothing of Arsenal this season to convince me that they are no better than a top 4 EPL team.
I've seen nothing of Arsenal this season to convince me that they are no better than a top 4 EPL team.
Liverpool run wild, Wenger's decision to bench Sanchez dooms Arsenal
By Tony Evans
espnfc.com
LIVERPOOL, England -- Three thoughts from Liverpool's 3-1 win over Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League.
1. Liverpool make top-four statement
Liverpool took a step closer to securing a top-four place and pushed Arsenal down to fifth place in the Premier League with a rousing 3-1 victory at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp's team put a dreadful start to 2017 behind them with first half goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Danny Welbeck brought Arsenal back into the game in the second half, but the home team always had the edge in an open game, and Georginio Wijnaldum made the game safe in the dying minutes and bumped Liverpool up to third in the table.
The pressure will increase on Arsene Wenger, who dropped Alexis Sanchez from the starting XI. The Chilean was introduced as substitute at half-time and gave the London club a more dangerous edge, but Wenger's gamble of leaving out his superstar backfired as Arsenal's plan to go direct against Liverpool fizzled out.
The visiting side started well but were undone by a simple clearance after nine minutes, a long, hopeful ball that that they let bounce and fall to Philippe Coutinho at the edge of the box. The Brazilian found Mane on the right side of the penalty area, and the Senegalese skidded in a cross that Coutinho could not reach. Firmino was lurking at the back post, though and depsite a clumsy first touch, the Liverpool striker was allowed the time to recover his balance and shoot high into the net. It was slack defending by Wenger's men.
If Arsenal's plan was to go direct, Liverpool were equally happy to punt the ball into the heart of the opposition's back four. Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny both won nervous headers as the home side's forwards buzzed around looking to pounce on any loose balls.
Arsenal had spells of possession in the first half but were unable to create any real chances and were always vulnerable to Liverpool's movement and pace. Adam Lallana shot from the edge of the box, forcing Petr Cech to parry for a corner. Mane seized upon any uncertainty in the space behind Welbeck to apply pressure on Nacho Monreal. There were few real chances in the first half, but there was a sense of panic and twitchiness in the Arsenal rearguard.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 40th minute. James Milner ranged down the left unchallenged and touched the ball inside to Wijnaldum just inside the box. The Dutchman looked up and slid a pass to Lallana. With the entire Arsenal defence transfixed on the ball, they failed to see Mane unattended at the back post. Lallana spotted him and rolled the ball to the winger who shot across Cech to double the advantage. Arsenal were in deep trouble.
It should have been three before half-time when Coutinho took down a long ball with a delightful touch but could only hit the onrushing Cech from six yards out.
Sanchez's introduction at half-time gave Arsenal new purpose. He immediately chipped in a cross that forced Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to flap the ball away.
A minute later the Chilean provided a cross to Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman should have done better than force a save from the goalkeeper but, with 48 minutes gone, it was Arsenal's first real chance.
Sanchez played a big part in bringing Arsenal back into the game. In the 57th minute the winger received the ball wide on the left and approached the Liverpool box. With his teammates flooding forward, Sanchez had a number of options but chose the least likely -- a delicate little ball inside Nathaniel Clyne that sat up perfectly for Welbeck. The striker made no mistake and Arsenal sniffed a point.
It was not to be, though, as Liverpool continued to press forward and looked the likelier side to score. Coutinho shot just over into the Kop with 17 minutes left and then Wenger made his final adjustment, sending on Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez for Welbeck and Giroud.
The home side were on top, though, with Divock Origi hitting the base of the post and Wijnaldum finally wrapped things up after a brilliant ball from Lallana freed Origi wide to cross to the Dutchman, who made no mistake firing in Liverpool's third.
2. Wenger's gamble backfires
Leaving Sanchez on the bench was a huge gamble by Wenger. The plan was to go direct against Liverpool's central defence and use Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's pace against Milner, the makeshift left-back. The omission caused raised eyebrows in the Liverpool dressing room. It backfired.
There was logic behind the Frenchman's decision. Giroud had scored five goals in his past seven games against Liverpool, including three in two matches at Anfield.
In reality Oxlade-Chamberlain was unable to get at Milner. Giroud's battering-ram approach suited Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip, who were considerably more nervous dealing with Sanchez's pace, guile and movement.
Arsenal started in a disciplined manner, sitting back and hoping to hit Liverpool on the break. Within 10 minutes Wenger's game plan was beginning to creak. The only time it went to plan was when Giroud, deep in his own half, produced a lovely bit of skill to loop the ball over his marker's head and then release a counter-attack.
The approach merely invited Liverpool forward. After the opening goal Arsenal reverted to type, lost their shape and played into Liverpool's hands.
When Wenger's team had possession in the opposition half the full-backs pushed forward and left the centre-backs playing a high line far from goal. That left the home side's forwards space to run into.
The first half could be a glimpse into Arsenal future. Mesut Ozil's illness was expected to clear up, but the German was too unwell to take part. That left Wenger without the two superstars who were supposed to be the basis of the next great side at the Emirates.
Both players want substantial pay rises to sign new contracts in North London, and to meet their demands the club would have to revamp their current wage structure. Without Champions League football, it is unlikely that the Gunners would get anywhere near the wages Sanchez and Ozil expect -- or that Wenger will still be in charge at the Emirates.
3. Still questions for Klopp
Klopp can take pleasure in the result, but victories like this and the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last month have been undermined by the team's inability to beat the Premier League's "lesser sides".
When opponents sit deep against Liverpool, they tend to run out of ideas. On the other hand, when teams like Arsenal and Spurs offer them space they run wild.
Coutinho makes the side tick when he is allowed to play, but when teams deny him space and time and force him back into the midfield, he becomes far less effective. Arsenal let the Brazilian operate in his comfort zone. Mane's pace gives defenders nightmares, but he becomes even more threatening when midfielders do not tuck in and support the full-back. Monreal had little help from Welbeck or Granit Xhaka.
Part of the problem for Liverpool is the gap that can appear between the back five and the front four. Klopp's system places a lot of pressure on Emre Can and Lallana in the midfield. The German is too often impelled to sit in front of the defence, and the Englishman is too eager to join the attack. Against Arsenal, this vacuum in midfield was not a problem -- the London club did not make use of the space -- but it was a massive one in the 3-1 defeat to Leicester City earlier in the week.
More defensive teams who soak up pressure and then spring attacks can get the room necessary to break behind Liverpool's forwards, who at times neglect their defensive duties. Arsenal's goal perfectly illustrated this problem, as Xhaka had the time and space to pick his ball and release Sanchez to attack the back four and run at the heart of Klopp's defence. Anfield needs a strong, physical and mobile box-to-box midfielder before Klopp's team can sweep aside all comers and not just the wide-open sides who come to play football against them.
By Tony Evans
espnfc.com
LIVERPOOL, England -- Three thoughts from Liverpool's 3-1 win over Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League.
1. Liverpool make top-four statement
Liverpool took a step closer to securing a top-four place and pushed Arsenal down to fifth place in the Premier League with a rousing 3-1 victory at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp's team put a dreadful start to 2017 behind them with first half goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Danny Welbeck brought Arsenal back into the game in the second half, but the home team always had the edge in an open game, and Georginio Wijnaldum made the game safe in the dying minutes and bumped Liverpool up to third in the table.
The pressure will increase on Arsene Wenger, who dropped Alexis Sanchez from the starting XI. The Chilean was introduced as substitute at half-time and gave the London club a more dangerous edge, but Wenger's gamble of leaving out his superstar backfired as Arsenal's plan to go direct against Liverpool fizzled out.
The visiting side started well but were undone by a simple clearance after nine minutes, a long, hopeful ball that that they let bounce and fall to Philippe Coutinho at the edge of the box. The Brazilian found Mane on the right side of the penalty area, and the Senegalese skidded in a cross that Coutinho could not reach. Firmino was lurking at the back post, though and depsite a clumsy first touch, the Liverpool striker was allowed the time to recover his balance and shoot high into the net. It was slack defending by Wenger's men.
If Arsenal's plan was to go direct, Liverpool were equally happy to punt the ball into the heart of the opposition's back four. Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny both won nervous headers as the home side's forwards buzzed around looking to pounce on any loose balls.
Arsenal had spells of possession in the first half but were unable to create any real chances and were always vulnerable to Liverpool's movement and pace. Adam Lallana shot from the edge of the box, forcing Petr Cech to parry for a corner. Mane seized upon any uncertainty in the space behind Welbeck to apply pressure on Nacho Monreal. There were few real chances in the first half, but there was a sense of panic and twitchiness in the Arsenal rearguard.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 40th minute. James Milner ranged down the left unchallenged and touched the ball inside to Wijnaldum just inside the box. The Dutchman looked up and slid a pass to Lallana. With the entire Arsenal defence transfixed on the ball, they failed to see Mane unattended at the back post. Lallana spotted him and rolled the ball to the winger who shot across Cech to double the advantage. Arsenal were in deep trouble.
It should have been three before half-time when Coutinho took down a long ball with a delightful touch but could only hit the onrushing Cech from six yards out.
Sanchez's introduction at half-time gave Arsenal new purpose. He immediately chipped in a cross that forced Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to flap the ball away.
A minute later the Chilean provided a cross to Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman should have done better than force a save from the goalkeeper but, with 48 minutes gone, it was Arsenal's first real chance.
Sanchez played a big part in bringing Arsenal back into the game. In the 57th minute the winger received the ball wide on the left and approached the Liverpool box. With his teammates flooding forward, Sanchez had a number of options but chose the least likely -- a delicate little ball inside Nathaniel Clyne that sat up perfectly for Welbeck. The striker made no mistake and Arsenal sniffed a point.
It was not to be, though, as Liverpool continued to press forward and looked the likelier side to score. Coutinho shot just over into the Kop with 17 minutes left and then Wenger made his final adjustment, sending on Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez for Welbeck and Giroud.
The home side were on top, though, with Divock Origi hitting the base of the post and Wijnaldum finally wrapped things up after a brilliant ball from Lallana freed Origi wide to cross to the Dutchman, who made no mistake firing in Liverpool's third.
2. Wenger's gamble backfires
Leaving Sanchez on the bench was a huge gamble by Wenger. The plan was to go direct against Liverpool's central defence and use Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's pace against Milner, the makeshift left-back. The omission caused raised eyebrows in the Liverpool dressing room. It backfired.
There was logic behind the Frenchman's decision. Giroud had scored five goals in his past seven games against Liverpool, including three in two matches at Anfield.
In reality Oxlade-Chamberlain was unable to get at Milner. Giroud's battering-ram approach suited Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip, who were considerably more nervous dealing with Sanchez's pace, guile and movement.
Arsenal started in a disciplined manner, sitting back and hoping to hit Liverpool on the break. Within 10 minutes Wenger's game plan was beginning to creak. The only time it went to plan was when Giroud, deep in his own half, produced a lovely bit of skill to loop the ball over his marker's head and then release a counter-attack.
The approach merely invited Liverpool forward. After the opening goal Arsenal reverted to type, lost their shape and played into Liverpool's hands.
When Wenger's team had possession in the opposition half the full-backs pushed forward and left the centre-backs playing a high line far from goal. That left the home side's forwards space to run into.
The first half could be a glimpse into Arsenal future. Mesut Ozil's illness was expected to clear up, but the German was too unwell to take part. That left Wenger without the two superstars who were supposed to be the basis of the next great side at the Emirates.
Both players want substantial pay rises to sign new contracts in North London, and to meet their demands the club would have to revamp their current wage structure. Without Champions League football, it is unlikely that the Gunners would get anywhere near the wages Sanchez and Ozil expect -- or that Wenger will still be in charge at the Emirates.
3. Still questions for Klopp
Klopp can take pleasure in the result, but victories like this and the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last month have been undermined by the team's inability to beat the Premier League's "lesser sides".
When opponents sit deep against Liverpool, they tend to run out of ideas. On the other hand, when teams like Arsenal and Spurs offer them space they run wild.
Coutinho makes the side tick when he is allowed to play, but when teams deny him space and time and force him back into the midfield, he becomes far less effective. Arsenal let the Brazilian operate in his comfort zone. Mane's pace gives defenders nightmares, but he becomes even more threatening when midfielders do not tuck in and support the full-back. Monreal had little help from Welbeck or Granit Xhaka.
Part of the problem for Liverpool is the gap that can appear between the back five and the front four. Klopp's system places a lot of pressure on Emre Can and Lallana in the midfield. The German is too often impelled to sit in front of the defence, and the Englishman is too eager to join the attack. Against Arsenal, this vacuum in midfield was not a problem -- the London club did not make use of the space -- but it was a massive one in the 3-1 defeat to Leicester City earlier in the week.
More defensive teams who soak up pressure and then spring attacks can get the room necessary to break behind Liverpool's forwards, who at times neglect their defensive duties. Arsenal's goal perfectly illustrated this problem, as Xhaka had the time and space to pick his ball and release Sanchez to attack the back four and run at the heart of Klopp's defence. Anfield needs a strong, physical and mobile box-to-box midfielder before Klopp's team can sweep aside all comers and not just the wide-open sides who come to play football against them.
Harry Kane leads Tottenham to important win against Everton
Harry Kane continued his rich goal-scoring form as Tottenham consolidated their status as Chelsea's main rivals at the top of the Premier League with a 3-2 win against Everton at White Hart Lane.
Kane, who scored a hat trick in the 4-0 demolition of Stoke last weekend, now has 14 goals in 12 competitive appearances for Spurs in 2017 after notching twice in a victory that put them six points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
Following a slow start to the game, Kane broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when Everton allowed him to turn and size up a shot, which he duly did, unleashing a well-struck effort from 30 yards that appeared to catch Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles off-guard.
That galvanised Spurs who, between Christian Eriksen and Kane, then went close on a number of occasions throughout the first-half without adding to their lead.
Mauricio Pochettino's side continued to push for a second goal in the opening exchanges after the break, going close through Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, before increasing their lead when Alli caught Ashley Williams in possession and set-up Kane for a simple finish in the area on 56 minutes.
With 10 minutes remaining Romelu Lukaku gave Everton a glimmer of hope, taking advantage of a slip by Vertonghen to fire past Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.
Spurs looked to have made victory secure in stoppage time when Harry Winks' smartly-taken free kick was dispatched by Alli from close range. But Everton, through substitute Enner Valencia, went down the other end and fought their way back to within a goal to ensure a nervy finish.
That result temporarily halts Everton's upward aspirations, after a run of nine league games without defeat prior to this fixture, and leaves them seventh and trailing sixth-placed Manchester United by five points.
Tottenham, meanwhile, cut Chelsea lead at the top to seven points, although they could restore the 10-point cushion when they face West Ham on Monday night.
Harry Kane continued his rich goal-scoring form as Tottenham consolidated their status as Chelsea's main rivals at the top of the Premier League with a 3-2 win against Everton at White Hart Lane.
Kane, who scored a hat trick in the 4-0 demolition of Stoke last weekend, now has 14 goals in 12 competitive appearances for Spurs in 2017 after notching twice in a victory that put them six points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
Following a slow start to the game, Kane broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when Everton allowed him to turn and size up a shot, which he duly did, unleashing a well-struck effort from 30 yards that appeared to catch Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles off-guard.
That galvanised Spurs who, between Christian Eriksen and Kane, then went close on a number of occasions throughout the first-half without adding to their lead.
Mauricio Pochettino's side continued to push for a second goal in the opening exchanges after the break, going close through Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, before increasing their lead when Alli caught Ashley Williams in possession and set-up Kane for a simple finish in the area on 56 minutes.
With 10 minutes remaining Romelu Lukaku gave Everton a glimmer of hope, taking advantage of a slip by Vertonghen to fire past Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.
Spurs looked to have made victory secure in stoppage time when Harry Winks' smartly-taken free kick was dispatched by Alli from close range. But Everton, through substitute Enner Valencia, went down the other end and fought their way back to within a goal to ensure a nervy finish.
That result temporarily halts Everton's upward aspirations, after a run of nine league games without defeat prior to this fixture, and leaves them seventh and trailing sixth-placed Manchester United by five points.
Tottenham, meanwhile, cut Chelsea lead at the top to seven points, although they could restore the 10-point cushion when they face West Ham on Monday night.
Sunderland 0-2 Man City
The Black Cats are going down! Will David Moyes be sacked before the end of the season?
The Black Cats are going down! Will David Moyes be sacked before the end of the season?
Chelsea edge West Ham to restore 10-point Premier League lead
Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were on target as clinical Chelsea swatted aside West Ham 2-1 to take a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Two of Chelsea's three Premier League defeats this season were away London derbies -- to Arsenal and Tottenham -- and West Ham beat the Blues in the EFL Cup in a match marred by crowd trouble at the London Stadium.
Those scenes -- of violence and a Chelsea defeat -- were not repeated here, although one fan hurdled the advertising hoardings to remonstrate with celebrating Chelsea players after Hazard's goal before he was wrestled away.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte may be taking nothing for granted in the title race, but his side are showing little sign of slipping up.
Tottenham are the Blues' nearest rivals with 11 games to go, but third-placed Manchester City could move eight points behind by winning their game in-hand.
West Ham's direct tactics were predictable, but Chelsea withstood the bombardment until Manuel Lanzini's stoppage-time strike, which proved mere consolation.
Slaven Bilic would have anticipated the visitors playing on the counter-attack, but his side could not stop Chelsea going in front once the excellent N'Golo Kante had intercepted a Robert Snodgrass pass intended for Sofiane Feghouli.
Ten seconds later the ball was in the Hammers' net as Hazard struck his 10th of the campaign. While, Costa bundled in his 17th and now has 49 Premier League goals.
Next the Blues play Jose Mourinho's Manchester United, who they beat 4-0 in the league, in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Conte, Mourinho's permanent successor, on Friday spoke of Hazard receiving a kick in training and he was fouled twice in the opening four minutes.
Victor Moses beat Andy Carroll in the air to head clear a Feghouli cross from the right. The Hammers striker suffered a cut to his nose which needed running repairs.
Swarming black shirts were wary of the aerial threat of Carroll, with Snodgrass and Feghouli providing the artillery.
Chelsea's defence was holding up well; far better than Gary Cahill's shirt which had to be replaced when it ripped in half.
And the opening goal came after 25 minutes, from a promising position for West Ham.
Lanzini struck a free-kick into the wall and Kante nipped in before bursting forward.
He fed Hazard, who found Pedro and then continued his run. Hazard stayed onside and kept his balance as Darren Randolph lost his to do the rest.
The Hammers defence had been breached. There was immediately a security concern as a man evaded the stewards to approach the celebrating Chelsea players. He was swiftly shackled by three stewards and taken away.
Chelsea's confidence grew. Lanzini fired over after driving through the centre and exchanging passes with Mark Noble, but seconds later it should have been 2-0.
Costa was slightly in front of Hazard's cross and failed to get a clean connection. The ball ran for Moses, whose shot was blocked by Aaron Cresswell, then Randolph denied Pedro.
Chelsea had their second five minutes after the resumption.
A Cesc Fabregas corner evaded West Ham's near-post defenders and the ball bounced in off Costa's thigh.
Marcos Alonso lifted the ball narrowly wide moments later after beating three would-be tacklers.
Next Carroll shot over for West Ham, Thibaut Courtois repelled Snodgrass' cross and then Jose Fonte headed wide.
Nemanja Matic was sent on for Pedro to protect Chelsea's lead as Conte switched to a 3-5-2 formation and the Blues soon almost had a third before Randolph saved smartly after Costa turned Kouyate.
The leaders faced an anxious conclusion as Lanzini struck after substitute Andre Ayew ran at David Luiz - but West Ham ran out of time to find an equaliser.
Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were on target as clinical Chelsea swatted aside West Ham 2-1 to take a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Two of Chelsea's three Premier League defeats this season were away London derbies -- to Arsenal and Tottenham -- and West Ham beat the Blues in the EFL Cup in a match marred by crowd trouble at the London Stadium.
Those scenes -- of violence and a Chelsea defeat -- were not repeated here, although one fan hurdled the advertising hoardings to remonstrate with celebrating Chelsea players after Hazard's goal before he was wrestled away.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte may be taking nothing for granted in the title race, but his side are showing little sign of slipping up.
Tottenham are the Blues' nearest rivals with 11 games to go, but third-placed Manchester City could move eight points behind by winning their game in-hand.
West Ham's direct tactics were predictable, but Chelsea withstood the bombardment until Manuel Lanzini's stoppage-time strike, which proved mere consolation.
Slaven Bilic would have anticipated the visitors playing on the counter-attack, but his side could not stop Chelsea going in front once the excellent N'Golo Kante had intercepted a Robert Snodgrass pass intended for Sofiane Feghouli.
Ten seconds later the ball was in the Hammers' net as Hazard struck his 10th of the campaign. While, Costa bundled in his 17th and now has 49 Premier League goals.
Next the Blues play Jose Mourinho's Manchester United, who they beat 4-0 in the league, in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Conte, Mourinho's permanent successor, on Friday spoke of Hazard receiving a kick in training and he was fouled twice in the opening four minutes.
Victor Moses beat Andy Carroll in the air to head clear a Feghouli cross from the right. The Hammers striker suffered a cut to his nose which needed running repairs.
Swarming black shirts were wary of the aerial threat of Carroll, with Snodgrass and Feghouli providing the artillery.
Chelsea's defence was holding up well; far better than Gary Cahill's shirt which had to be replaced when it ripped in half.
And the opening goal came after 25 minutes, from a promising position for West Ham.
Lanzini struck a free-kick into the wall and Kante nipped in before bursting forward.
He fed Hazard, who found Pedro and then continued his run. Hazard stayed onside and kept his balance as Darren Randolph lost his to do the rest.
The Hammers defence had been breached. There was immediately a security concern as a man evaded the stewards to approach the celebrating Chelsea players. He was swiftly shackled by three stewards and taken away.
Chelsea's confidence grew. Lanzini fired over after driving through the centre and exchanging passes with Mark Noble, but seconds later it should have been 2-0.
Costa was slightly in front of Hazard's cross and failed to get a clean connection. The ball ran for Moses, whose shot was blocked by Aaron Cresswell, then Randolph denied Pedro.
Chelsea had their second five minutes after the resumption.
A Cesc Fabregas corner evaded West Ham's near-post defenders and the ball bounced in off Costa's thigh.
Marcos Alonso lifted the ball narrowly wide moments later after beating three would-be tacklers.
Next Carroll shot over for West Ham, Thibaut Courtois repelled Snodgrass' cross and then Jose Fonte headed wide.
Nemanja Matic was sent on for Pedro to protect Chelsea's lead as Conte switched to a 3-5-2 formation and the Blues soon almost had a third before Randolph saved smartly after Costa turned Kouyate.
The leaders faced an anxious conclusion as Lanzini struck after substitute Andre Ayew ran at David Luiz - but West Ham ran out of time to find an equaliser.
UCL update:
Arsenal 1-5 Bayern Munich
Bayern thrash Gunners 10-2 on aggregate!
What an utter humiliation for Wenger. The knives will surely be out for him.
Arsenal 1-5 Bayern Munich
Bayern thrash Gunners 10-2 on aggregate!
What an utter humiliation for Wenger. The knives will surely be out for him.
UCL update:
Arsenal 1-5 Bayern Munich
Bayern thrash Gunners 10-2 on aggregate!
What an utter humiliation for Wenger. The knives will surely be out for him.
And Spurs will finish on top of Arsenal this season after so many years below.
Wenger is delusional. He is at serious risk of damaging his Arsenal legacy permanently if he continues.
Blaming the ref and praising his players as 'brave' for their performance is frankly embarrassing.
UEFA Champions League update:
WTF! Unbelievable game!
Barcelona 6-1 Paris St Germain (Barca go through 6-5 on agg)
WTF! Unbelievable game!
Barcelona 6-1 Paris St Germain (Barca go through 6-5 on agg)
UEFA Champions League update:
WTF! Unbelievable game!
Barcelona 6-1 Paris St Germain (Barca go through 6-5 on agg)
It's believable since it involves Barcelona.
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