Arsenal match analysis: Lucas Torreira bares his teeth but Bernd Leno fails to convince

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James Olley3 November 2018

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches in all competitions with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium

James Milner had looked to have secure all three points but a moment of brilliance from Alexandre Lacazette in the final ten moments secured a well-deserved point for Unai Emery's men.

Our chief football correspondent James Olley was in attendance tonight, and here’s his take on that performance from Arsenal…

Arsenal rise to the occasion

This may not have been the result Unai Emery was aiming for but the performance was one that should provide considerable optimism for the future. The latter days of Arsene Wenger’s reign were punctuated by insipid displays in big matches, a team paralysed by an inferiority complex that often rendered them unable to compete. Their display against Liverpool was a significant departure, bristling with defiance and conviction. Arsenal’s supporters responded accordingly and the end result was an atmosphere of unity which is a testament to the work Emery has done to date.


Arsenal shake off their slow starts

A trend of Arsenal’s performances under Emery has been to start slowly before improving markedly after half-time. Given Liverpool’s attacking prowess, they could ill afford another sloppy initial spell and, perhaps enthused by the sense of occasion, the Gunners produced one of their best opening 45 minutes of the season, surviving an early spell of pressure to end the half in the ascendancy. Liverpool had chances but there was much more vibrancy and tenacity about Arsenal from the outset – a trait they must now continue in the challenges that lie ahead.


Xhaka and Torreira bare their teeth

Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira have each praised the other in recent weeks as their midfield partnership shows considerable promise and on their sixth start together, they produced their best display yet.

Photo: REUTERS/David Klein
REUTERS/David Klein

Xhaka’s sliding tackle on Mohamed Salah midway through the first half brought a goal celebration response from Emery and the pair wrestled control of midfield to the extent it forced Liverpool to change formation at half-time. Xhaka is a much-maligned figure but he is palpably relishing Emery’s detailed tactical instruction and the disciplined presence of Torreira alongside him.


Leno fails to convince

Bernd Leno had edged ahead of Petr Cech to earn the right to play in matches of this magnitude but his failure to deal with Sadio Mane’s 61st-minute cross was the kind of mistake that may put things back in the balance.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Leno was fortunate to get away with an error just before half-time when caught in no man’s land as Virgil van Dijk hit the post but James Milner made him pay for pushing Mane’s attempted pass into a central area by thrashing the loose ball into Arsenal’s net. Leno made several good saves and looked more comfortable with the ball at his feet playing out from the back than Cech but he overall he was not convincing enough to suggest he is the undisputed number one just yet.


Left-back issues continue

With Nacho Monreal left out once again, fellow recent hamstring injury victim Sead Kolasinac made his first start of the Premier League season at left-back. It was a big ask to stifle Salah and he struggled at times to cope before being substituted with nine minutes left. The shortage of options – and a desire not to break up the Torreira-Xhaka axis in midfield – meant Alex Iwobi was pushed to left-back. It proved effective – Iwobi slid a pass through for Alexandre Lacazette to equalise – but after using Xhaka in defence against Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace, Emery needs Kolasinac and Monreal back up to speed sooner rather than later.

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