Report: Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
By Randy Osae
With this season’s away outfit signifying the 20th anniversary of 1989’s remarkable title grasp at Liverpool, tonight had been marked on the calendar well ahead.
A somehow deflated and suitably fourth-placed Arsenal managed to commemorate the occasion with a night to remember at Anfield through a virtuoso Arshavin.
The Russian’s quadruple of goals were matched by a resilient Liverpool, but it was a theatrical evening on Merseyside nonetheless.
Arsenal could not have found a more irrelevant fixture this season. Their tight fourth place security is unchanged and not much ground has been made up on third.
But they might have found a way to put Saturday’s distress well behind.
Starting line-up (not necessarily exact formation)
Chelsea had taken a lot out of Wenger’s men and as expected, Liverpool exploited the little they had left.
Torres, Riera, and Mascherano were all at the go before Fabregas chalked down Arsenal’s first try on 28 minutes.
Silvestre had to scramble the ball away after Torres nutmegged Toure to test Fabianski. Nasri then cleared off the mouth of his goal after Agger’s header proved dangerous.
Liverpool had been bossing until Arsenal hit them well against the run of play.
Nasri and Fabregas worked the ball on the right before the latter released a low pass for Arshavin to tap home with his weaker foot.
Arshavin then completed the first of his ‘finger on lips’ gestures to mark that goal as the infuriated Kop urged a response from the reds. And they got a swift one too.
Benayoun alerted Fabianski with half-time looming before his desperate side leveled right after the restart.
But Wenger could argue his men could have remained ahead for much longer. After all, a dully handled cross met by Torres to beat Fabianski was preventable. Arsenal could barely breath now as Liverpool sought the initiative to relieve their title ambitions.
And it only took a handful of minutes before a sandwich of Toure, Benayoun and Sagna bundled Kuyt’s cross past the goal line with Fabianski hesitant to concede with a false clearance.
Just like three days ago, Arsenal had fallen victims of a comeback having scored first, but with half an hour still to be played, Wenger opted to save the blushes tonight with Denilson sacrificed for a more audacious Walcott.
But it would be a Russian to do the trick. Arshavin stole the ball from 25 yards out and drilled in a stunner with Reina full-stretched. Indeed, he had saved his rampancy for tonight and netted a third after Carragher and Arbeloa were slacking right in no man’s land.
Arshavin had ran the show upfront and when he turned his back – to teammates in defense – Liverpool hit back.
It was typical Liverpool and trademark Torres. The Spaniard benefited from yet another cross, made light of Silvestre and thumped past Fabianski.
Then, it was up for grabs now – as an announcer 20 years back would reckon – with Torres seeing his goal-bound header negated by Gibbs before Andrey Arshavin stroke again.
This one was very Arsenal-esque though.
The Gunners broke off a tempting Liverpool corner with Walcott the road runner. And half-way near the reds’ territory, Walcott handed over to Arshavin who could hardly hesitate to whip a left-footed finish past Reina.
That seemed to have stilled the merry-go-round of events before Benayoun capped a fair night by punishing yet another diabolical moment in Arsenal’s defense from about 10 yards out.
The point impacts Arsenal’s season less and perhaps this one was just for the neutrals’ entertainment.
WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST MISS!!!
WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST MISS!!!
4-4 benayoun scored late
4-4 benayoun scored late
4-4
4-4
GOOD GOD I Go back to work for 20 mins and miss 6 goals!!!!!!
GOOD GOD I Go back to work for 20 mins and miss 6 goals!!!!!!
dang…if only we had William Gallas today…
AA and A Song; its official…they are taking over the arsenal
dang…if only we had William Gallas today…
AA and A Song; its official…they are taking over the arsenal
it looks like every goal we scored we allowed them to march down and score again! What the hell happend..would love ot watch the whole second half.
it looks like every goal we scored we allowed them to march down and score again! What the hell happend..would love ot watch the whole second half.
Are defense lost us the game today badly. Arshavin was amazing.
Are defense lost us the game today badly. Arshavin was amazing.
fu*k f*k f*ck….we should have won,great game by arshavin and song
fu*k f*k f*ck….we should have won,great game by arshavin and song
damn damn we should have won.i am gonna kill silvistre
damn damn we should have won.i am gonna kill silvistre
defender poor on both sides
defender poor on both sides
was it silvests fault?
How did Fabianski play?
So Song played well?????
FUCK THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN HUGE!
was it silvests fault?
How did Fabianski play?
So Song played well?????
FUCK THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN HUGE!
so they basically came down and scored a second after we did???????
so they basically came down and scored a second after we did???????
3 times we got the lead ….can’t believe it ….djorou better hurry back
3 times we got the lead ….can’t believe it ….djorou better hurry back
10 traffic cones and a superstar.
10 traffic cones and a superstar.
silvestre is shit!
what the **** happened to senderos why did we loan him
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
silvestre is shit!
what the **** happened to senderos why did we loan him
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
very sloppy defending not only silvestre
very sloppy defending not only silvestre
Arshavin deserved better his teammates should be ashamed of themselves especially that useless prick Silvestre.
Arshavin deserved better his teammates should be ashamed of themselves especially that useless prick Silvestre.
looking up, with a patchwork defense almost pulled thewin. but this is huge, even the draw.
damn shame no AA in the CL.
looking up, with a patchwork defense almost pulled thewin. but this is huge, even the draw.
damn shame no AA in the CL.
fabianski did great in the first 45 to keep us in the lead
arshavin is the shit my new favorite player
fabianski did great in the first 45 to keep us in the lead
arshavin is the shit my new favorite player
yes USA gunner we made 2 defensive errors. silvestre was woeful,song was great,they scored every minutes after we scored…how come u missed the game??
yes USA gunner we made 2 defensive errors. silvestre was woeful,song was great,they scored every minutes after we scored…how come u missed the game??
Wonder if that was to the Gaffer for resting him against Chelsea!!!!!
Wonder if that was to the Gaffer for resting him against Chelsea!!!!!
senderos getting minutes at milan.
can they call back both he and troare (sp?)
senderos getting minutes at milan.
can they call back both he and troare (sp?)
Thing called work Usama!!!!!!!!! I was watching the gamecast and on here, then soon as I started talking her they went down 2-1…I turn it all off to only see us up 4-3 for a second.
I’ll take the tie…so we really played that bad? Gamecast said Nasri, AA and Song played well.
You have to figure the back 4 would play like crap..
What about Fabianski?
Thing called work Usama!!!!!!!!! I was watching the gamecast and on here, then soon as I started talking her they went down 2-1…I turn it all off to only see us up 4-3 for a second.
I’ll take the tie…so we really played that bad? Gamecast said Nasri, AA and Song played well.
You have to figure the back 4 would play like crap..
What about Fabianski?
our defense as a unit played shit…can’t only blame him tough
our defense as a unit played shit…can’t only blame him tough
cheers USA, me also work. gamecast is torture.
where was cesc … ?
cheers USA, me also work. gamecast is torture.
where was cesc … ?
You wont watch this kind of defending anywhere else,it was almost comical,i really fell so sorry for Arshavin but the birth of a superstar is on the cards.
You wont watch this kind of defending anywhere else,it was almost comical,i really fell so sorry for Arshavin but the birth of a superstar is on the cards.
fabianski made a couple of great saves … we cant blame him for the goals.
fabianski made a couple of great saves … we cant blame him for the goals.
we win against Chelsea and Pool if we have a full fit squad.
The Gaffer has to be second guessing himself for sitting AA against Chelsea.
we win against Chelsea and Pool if we have a full fit squad.
The Gaffer has to be second guessing himself for sitting AA against Chelsea.
after pools 4th goal i felt like killing myself….disastrous defending
after pools 4th goal i felt like killing myself….disastrous defending
Every man and his dog knew in the summer that defense had to be strenghtened………..except Wenger.Our season could have been so much more with a competent defender,and dont say Gallas he would have crumbled too.
Every man and his dog knew in the summer that defense had to be strenghtened………..except Wenger.Our season could have been so much more with a competent defender,and dont say Gallas he would have crumbled too.
Yet agains egg on Wengers face,when will he ever learn.
Yet agains egg on Wengers face,when will he ever learn.
fabianski was great and conceded goals that anyone would he single handily kept us in the game
gibbs was great fucking prick silvestre can’t defend
song is an animal denilson was totally invisible
fab was fab and toure was ok sagna was dissapointing
couldn’t clear shit
we need djourou back if theres anything hes good at its clearing the ball high and wide watch any of his matches
bentdner was bentdner invisble nasri is nasri with his central runs and what not
remeber we went to anfield and scored 4
really sux arshavin cant play cl
fabianski was great and conceded goals that anyone would he single handily kept us in the game
gibbs was great fucking prick silvestre can’t defend
song is an animal denilson was totally invisible
fab was fab and toure was ok sagna was dissapointing
couldn’t clear shit
we need djourou back if theres anything hes good at its clearing the ball high and wide watch any of his matches
bentdner was bentdner invisble nasri is nasri with his central runs and what not
remeber we went to anfield and scored 4
really sux arshavin cant play cl
4 goals….the Anfield Assasin…shit that sucks..what is worse..this 4-4 tie in the final seconds or the Spurs tie 4-4?
4 goals….the Anfield Assasin…shit that sucks..what is worse..this 4-4 tie in the final seconds or the Spurs tie 4-4?
should have replace denilson earlier for walcott
should have replace denilson earlier for walcott
You are right Usama..he made some good saves. however, the third goal should have been saved man.
i think song and Gibbs played well….I am happy for AA. he was brilliant!!! very brilliant!!!
–what is happening with Cesc?..
hey fellas why do you guys keep blaming Sylvestre? I never expect much from him. so let him just do his best until we can get; djourou/ senderos/ or even cygan back
You are right Usama..he made some good saves. however, the third goal should have been saved man.
i think song and Gibbs played well….I am happy for AA. he was brilliant!!! very brilliant!!!
–what is happening with Cesc?..
hey fellas why do you guys keep blaming Sylvestre? I never expect much from him. so let him just do his best until we can get; djourou/ senderos/ or even cygan back
this tie is better cuz it was at anfield we scored 4 and conceded 4 not at the emirates
this tie is better cuz it was at anfield we scored 4 and conceded 4 not at the emirates
i am withn you carlos about silvestre. he seem to be blame for everything though sometimes is not his fault
i am withn you carlos about silvestre. he seem to be blame for everything though sometimes is not his fault
lets not go blaming or getting down on Cesc…..
I’ll put the blame on a shotty back 4. Get a fit and health Sagna and Clichy back to play with Toure, doesn’t matter who plays with Toure.
A tie is a tie and a point. 8 points above Villa
I look for us to make a big push against Boro this weekend, and then a huge push to finish strong.
Would love to beat Man U and Chelsea in the league and then take down Chelsea in the finals for REVENGE WITH A FULL SQUAD!
lets not go blaming or getting down on Cesc…..
I’ll put the blame on a shotty back 4. Get a fit and health Sagna and Clichy back to play with Toure, doesn’t matter who plays with Toure.
A tie is a tie and a point. 8 points above Villa
I look for us to make a big push against Boro this weekend, and then a huge push to finish strong.
Would love to beat Man U and Chelsea in the league and then take down Chelsea in the finals for REVENGE WITH A FULL SQUAD!
u r right carlos…we can’t only blame silvistre but the back 4 together..
u r right carlos…we can’t only blame silvistre but the back 4 together..
usama.,now you are talking sense
usama.,now you are talking sense
i think we should leave cesc in the center of midfield
he gets more involved that way
no 2nd striker shit fab is not the kind of guy with an eye for goal like gerrard thats y gerrads in the second striker roll
i think we should leave cesc in the center of midfield
he gets more involved that way
no 2nd striker shit fab is not the kind of guy with an eye for goal like gerrard thats y gerrads in the second striker roll
we should be happy with this draw. could have been worst if based on 1st half performance. credit to the boys in the 2nd half. they played better.
we should be happy with this draw. could have been worst if based on 1st half performance. credit to the boys in the 2nd half. they played better.
Denison was shite, silvestre was shite
Denison was shite, silvestre was shite
We have no midfield or defensive structure.It is truly awful,Wenger have worked on it for FOUR years and this is what it has come too.Denilson shite,Cesc didnt really care today,Song outclassed, slow in thinking slow in passing(Old Habits die hard).
We have no midfield or defensive structure.It is truly awful,Wenger have worked on it for FOUR years and this is what it has come too.Denilson shite,Cesc didnt really care today,Song outclassed, slow in thinking slow in passing(Old Habits die hard).
you have to admit that silvestre was really horrible. The think that prevented him from doing a horrible match was his experience, but overall i think he didn’t have a great game. Denilson’s problem is that he’s not consistant; for 3 match he’d play like shite and the next 4 he’d be fantastic! Plus song is playing really good right now and he didn’t have a bad game! He must be in the top 3 best arsenal performers in this game
you have to admit that silvestre was really horrible. The think that prevented him from doing a horrible match was his experience, but overall i think he didn’t have a great game. Denilson’s problem is that he’s not consistant; for 3 match he’d play like shite and the next 4 he’d be fantastic! Plus song is playing really good right now and he didn’t have a bad game! He must be in the top 3 best arsenal performers in this game
it was a show of how to attack and how not to defend
song is amazing we don’t need denilson he can be loaned to some club where hes guaranteed play time
it was a show of how to attack and how not to defend
song is amazing we don’t need denilson he can be loaned to some club where hes guaranteed play time
The inconsistencies shown by silvestre 4 arsenal r a contrast 2 his days at man u that even earned him a call up in da french national team. His performances 4 us makes you doubt his loyalty 2 us when we play man u in da CL.Damn u wenger!!Defenders r not in short supply!!!
The inconsistencies shown by silvestre 4 arsenal r a contrast 2 his days at man u that even earned him a call up in da french national team. His performances 4 us makes you doubt his loyalty 2 us when we play man u in da CL.Damn u wenger!!Defenders r not in short supply!!!
Do you think Wenger will get some defenders for the summer or we go back to his comments of you know my team is young?
Do you think Wenger will get some defenders for the summer or we go back to his comments of you know my team is young?
Denilson was the worse perfomer for Arsenal. He give away too many balls. Sylvestre did not have a wonderful game (he made some mistakes) but Toure was the worse in our backline. Toure positionning is awfull. He made Sylvestre to drift in more on the right leaving Gibbs with always to players to defend. AA, some time come back to help but that was not enough. Cesc was very very average. Song, man of the match.
Denilson was the worse perfomer for Arsenal. He give away too many balls. Sylvestre did not have a wonderful game (he made some mistakes) but Toure was the worse in our backline. Toure positionning is awfull. He made Sylvestre to drift in more on the right leaving Gibbs with always to players to defend. AA, some time come back to help but that was not enough. Cesc was very very average. Song, man of the match.
In 100 games, maybe denilson will be above average in 1 or 2 games. As an Arsenal player, he cant even pass the ball to his teammates. But still, He is Wenger Favourite player. *sigh*
In 100 games, maybe denilson will be above average in 1 or 2 games. As an Arsenal player, he cant even pass the ball to his teammates. But still, He is Wenger Favourite player. *sigh*
If we don make buys nxt season da lyks of AA we wil b figtin for 4th pstn again.Bt wenger cud invoke his famous we have a young squad line again.
If we don make buys nxt season da lyks of AA we wil b figtin for 4th pstn again.Bt wenger cud invoke his famous we have a young squad line again.