According to Premier League expert Alex Keble, the 1-1 draw was a true reflection of the match in round 18 at Anfield, where both Liverpool and Arsenal knew how to counter each other's strengths.
Arteta's mistake
Apart from Oleksandr Zinchenko's defeat to Mohamed Salah, Arsenal were the better side in the first half as Mikel Arteta opted for a more direct approach. The Gunners had 45% possession in the first 45 minutes, but had seven shots on target with two on target - compared to Liverpool's four and one.
David Raya and the Arsenal defence continuously sent long passes from the back, thereby nullifying any hope of winning the ball in high positions with Jurgen Klopp's familiar "gegenpressing" style.
Arteta directs Arsenal players during the first half of the 1-1 draw at Anfield in the 18th round of the Premier League on December 23. Photo: arsenal.com
The visitors took minimal risks at home and wanted to get the ball forward as often as possible, with Arsenal setting a record for forward passes this season, with 43% of them going towards the Liverpool goal.
The approach worked, preventing Liverpool from developing their preferred style of play until Arsenal's pressure began to ease towards the end of the first half.
Salah - Zinchenko war
The key to Liverpool's tactics in the first half was Mohamed Salah exploiting Oleksandr Zinchenko's position, and one of those situations led to a goal. In the 29th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold's long pass was misjudged by Zinchenko, who let Salah escape down the right flank. The Egyptian striker calmly handled the ball, easily eliminating Zinchenko to turn inside and finish with his left foot, sending the ball into the roof of David Raya's net.
Zinchenko misjudged the landing point, indirectly giving Salah a chance and taking advantage to score the equalizer 1-1. Screenshot
Liverpool continued to attack the right wing well in the second half, but Klopp suddenly made three changes in the 68th minute, sending Darwin Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott onto the field.
The German coach moved Salah up front with Nunez, hoping to capitalise on transitions and counter-attacks as Arsenal took more risks in possession at the back. However, Harvey Elliott often cut into the No. 10 position from the right, which helped take the pressure off Zinchenko.
After those three substitutions, Liverpool had just 42% possession and four shots on target. Like Arteta, Klopp's second-half changes affected the team's play.
Arsenal's defensive fulcrum
Arsenal failed to get a shot on target after Gabriel's fourth-minute opener, largely because they did not venture forward. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli were often on the edge of the box when teammates sent crosses or passes.
Despite Arteta's pre-match press conference insisting he was determined to win at Anfield for the first time since 2012-13, his approach was justified. "The conservative approach for long periods of the game was another sign of Arsenal's growing maturity and defensive solidity," Keble commented.
Centre-back duo William Saliba and Gabriel had another sublime performance, keeping Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Salah in check, while Declan Rice was his usual brilliance in midfield. Arsenal's strong defence prevented Liverpool from erupting like they did in their 5-1 win over West Ham in the League Cup quarter-finals a few days earlier.
Liverpool striker Nunez (No. 9) falls after a dispute with Arsenal defender Saliba during the 1-1 draw at Anfield in the 18th round of the Premier League on December 23. Photo: Reuters
Of course, Arsenal were lucky to escape defeat in the 72nd minute, when Liverpool counter-attacked in a "5 vs 1" situation, but Trent Alexander-Arnold's shot hit the crossbar. The match was also controversial with midfielder Martin Odegaard clearly blocking the ball with his hand in the penalty area in the 18th minute, but Arsenal still escaped a penalty.
Hong Duy
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