Arsenal took on Liverpool in a top of the table clash at Anfield on Saturday.� A 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool ensured that the...
Arsenal took on Liverpool in a top of the table clash at Anfield on Saturday.�
A 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool ensured that the Gunners will remain top of the Premier League table at Christmas.
Arsenal flew out of the blocks in the first half, and silenced the Anfield crowd when Gabriel Magalhaes headed into the back of the net with just four minutes on the clock. However, after that the hosts grew into the game. Liverpool levelled things up on the half-hour mark as Mohamed Salah�s thunderous effort flashed past David Raya, after Oleksandr Zinchenko had allowed the Egyptian winger to cut inside onto his favoured left foot all too easily.
In a fast-paced, frenetic encounter, there were no more goals before the break. Mikel Arteta will have been delighted with how his side started the match, and will have instructed his Arsenal team to find that extra gear again at the start of the second period.�
The second half was full of excitement and intent from both sides, but no more goals were forthcoming. Ultimately, Arteta will be content with a point at Anfield.�
Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool
David Raya � 7.5/10
Could do nothing about the goal but made a number of stops, claimed crosses well, and never got into any trouble with the ball at his feet.
Ben White � 7.5/10
Defended well, but Bukayo Saka could have done with better support and service from the right-back.
William Saliba � 8.5/10
Another sensational display from the Frenchman in the heart of the Gunners� rearguard.
Gabriel Magalhaes � 8.5/10
Gabriel got up brilliantly to put the Gunners ahead early on. The �27 million former Lille man was imperious at the back.
Oleksandr Zinchenko � 3/10
Had he been fit, Takehiro Tomiyasu would have almost certainly started this game, in order to deal with the threat posed by Salah. As it was, Zinchenko was required to face the Liverpool winger, and the Ukrainian left-back proved to be a liability.
The former Manchester City man�s flaws have been highlighted before, and were again exposed at Anfield. As well as allowing Salah to cut inside too easily to hit the Reds� equaliser, he was also guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous situations on a number of occasions. Against top class opposition Zinchenko is simply not someone Arteta can rely upon.
Declan Rice � 8/10
Declan Rice was signed for big matches like this, and Arteta will be delighted with the relentless, aggressive performance he saw from the midfielder.
Martin Odegaard � 7/10
Perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty for handball in the first half, but the Arsenal club captain was a cool head on the ball and tried to make things happen in the final third. Put in a terrific delivery for Gabriel�s goal.
Kai Havertz � 6.5/10
Kai Havertz might have been wise to gamble more aggressively in the final third at times, and make more direct runs into the box to connect with crosses. However, he battled well in the middle of the park in the midst of a ferocious atmosphere. Picked up a booking which will see him given a one-match suspension.
Bukayo Saka � 7/10
The final ball wasn�t there at Anfield but Saka made Kostas Tsimikas and latterly Joe Gomez work extremely hard at left-back.
Gabriel Martinelli � 6/10
In the first half, Gabriel Martinelli�s pace gave Arsenal a real threat on the counter-attack. Too often, though, the Brazilian ran down blind alleys. The left-winger was also guilty of not being present to attack the far post on occasions when the ball was flashed dangerously across the Liverpool box.
Gabriel Jesus � 6.5/10
As always, Gabriel Jesus worked incredibly hard up front and produced some stylish touches. In terms of direct threat to the Liverpool goal though, there was little on offer from the striker.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard � 6.5/10
Eddie Nketiah � 6.5/10
