[Ratings] Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool: Lacazette & Holding star as Gunners grind out win

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Arsenal somehow secured a vital 2-1 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates on Wednesday night to keep alive our Europa League hopes.

It was a very slow start from Arsenal as Liverpool dominated and opened the scoring in the 20th minute when they cut through our defence with ease to allow Sadio Mane to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Arsenal were then gifted a way back into the game when Alexandre Lacazette pounced on Virgil van Dijk’s poor backpass to round Alisson Becker and slot home for 1-1 in the 32nd minute.

We then took the lead when Lacazette intercepted Alisson’s pass out from the back, he fed Reiss Nelson and the winger kept his cool to make it 2-1 shortly before half time.

Arsenal went full-Mourinho after the break as we sat back with 10 men behind the ball and allowed Liverpool all the possession. They battered us for 45 minutes but somehow we held on to seal a vital 2-1 win.

Here are my ratings:

Martinez  7/10 | Very lucky to get away with a sloppy early kick that hit Firmino and deflected onto the post. But made a decent save to deny Salah making it 2-2 and another solid effort to tip a deflected Alexander-Arnold shot wide.

Holding  8/10 | Didn’t track his runner for the opener and was lucky to get away with a sloppy bit of play just before half time. However, was superb in the second half to keep Liverpool at bay as they battered our defence. Should keep his place for the semi-final.

Luiz  7/10 | Dragged out of position to leave Mane free to open the scoring but held things together in the second half. Made a few important blocks.

Tierney  7.5/10 | Another impressive display. Looked comfortable in the back three and did well up against Salah.

Cedric  6.5/10 | Poor headed challenge up the pitch left space for Liverpool to exploit for the first goal. Look weak in the tackle and was given a tough time by Mane.

Xhaka  7/10 | Led the team well and was always instructing the Arsenal players. Positioned himself well in midfield and broke up their rhythm with some underhand tactics. Lovely stuff.

Torreira  7/10 | Looked sharp early on and was energetic in midfield, closing Liverpool down. Understandably tired and had to go off after being booked early in the second half.

Saka  7/10 | Not overly-involved going forward but was a mature performance at left wing-back. Stuck to his task well and tracked Alexander-Arnold when needed.

Nelson  7.5/10 | Was having a pretty poor game before keeping his cool to make it 2-1 with a neat finish. His pressure also forced van Dijk into his mistake.

Pepe  7/10 | A few semi-decent dribbles/ball carries but no real threat going forward. Worked hard defensively and tracked back well.

Lacazette  8.5/10 | Took advantage of van Dijk’s sloppy backpass to round Alisson and make it 1-1. Then intercepted Alisson’s pass to set-up Nelson for 2-1. Two vital moments that won us the game. His sub in the second half invited a barrage of pressure from Liverpool.

Subs:

Ceballos   6/10 | Worked hard defensively to keep Liverpool at bay.

Aubameyang   6/10 | Did his bit to tuck in behind the ball but couldn’t really offer anything going forward to relieve the pressure.

Willock   5/10 | Missed a great chance to make it 3-1 late on.

Maitland-Niles   6/10 | Did well up against Mane a couple of times.

Kolasinac   N/A | On too late.

The victory means just three points separates sixth-placed Wolves from ninth-placed Arsenal with two games remaining [Sheffield United have three games]. With sixth and seventh gaining entry to the Europa League, it’s all to play for heading into the final games of the season.

Up next is Man City in the FA Cup semi-final before we head to Aston Villa next Tuesday night.

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One Comment

1. 

   gunnerpete

   July 16, 2020 at 11:26 am

   Chuffed with the win against a very good but not remarkable side. Back five next year should be Holding, Saliba, another world class defender.I would love Mavrapanos to do well at Stuttgart and come back to us next January or spring. The backs..Belerin not quality or strong and cedric is only a good fill in, so a world class tough full back is needed to balance the brilliant Tierney. Midfield, we really must sell Ozil who is taking AFC for a ride.Kolasinac, Elnehny. Belerin,Sokratis, should all sold immediately for cash or swap. I think a must is to keep and promote Balugun and Smith Rowe, future stars. It takes drastic action backed by the board to be at the top and that is the flaw in the whole plan. We just have the wrong billionaire owner!!

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