Arshavin seals Anfield affair

Arsenal re-enter title race with 2-1 Anfield comeback

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 14th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Arshavin seals Anfield affair

Arshavin: Continues Reds haunting

Man of the match - Andrey Arshavin was pretty anonymous for much of the game but he was a threat in the second half and his goal was superb.

Moment of the match - You would have to say the half-time team talk from Arsene Wenger, as they came out with real purpose to take the three points.

Attempt of the match - Fernando Torres' effort in the first half when one-on-one with Almunia. A more clinical effort could have changed the whole course of the game.

Save of the match - Not much to report but Reina got behind a good attempt by Arshavin when Arsenal were in the ascendency.

Talking point - Both teams have their deficiencies and it will take continued slip-ups from Chelsea if either are going to make a run on the title.

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Andrey Arshavin continued his Anfield scoring spree as Arsenal came from behind to cast Liverpool's top-four hopes into serious doubt.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez had insisted the season started again today after the midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Fiorentina.

And the hosts approached the game with vigour and took a first-half lead into the break when Dirk Kuyt pounced on an unconvincing palm by Manuel Almunia after Steven Gerrard was denied a penalty from William Gallas' clumsy challenge.

But Benitez's side surrendered yet another lead when first Glen Johnson put the ball into his own net before Arshavin, who scored four goals in the corresponding fixture last term, smashed in the winner on 58 minutes to send the Gunners third.

Reds legend Bill Shankly's first official day behind the manager's desk at Liverpool was 50 years ago this Monday, and Benitez will sit uncomfortably in that same office after this as his team slumped to their sixth league defeat of the season.

Liverpool made six changes from the side dumped out of the Champions League in midweek, with Fernando Torres back in the starting line-up for the first time since early November. Fabio Aurelio was brought in at left-back against the pace of Theo Walcott.

Arsenal were unrecognisable from the side that lost to Olympiakos in Greece, only Walcott being retained by manager Arsene Wenger.

With Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs all dropping points 24 hours earlier, both sides were desperate to take advantage.

Pulsating start

And at last Anfield was treated to a pulsating clash after weeks of insipid displays as the tempo and passion came from both sides and Liverpool could have had two goals in the opening 13 minutes.

First Torres broke away, fed Gerrard to his right and then took the return before failing to lift the ball over Almunia when clear.

Two minutes later referee Howard Webb controversially denied Liverpool a penalty when Gallas felled Gerrard.

The Liverpool skipper may have pushed the ball too far, but Gallas clearly took Gerrard's legs.

Denilson was booked for a high tackle on Mascherano as Liverpool poured forward.

Arsenal survived, at times with difficulty, but still sought to play their intelligent, passing football out of defence.

Samir Nasri fired wide and Cesc Fabregas tested Jose Reina as the threat on the break from the Gunners became increasingly apparent.

Kuyt opener

But four minutes from the break Arsenal finally cracked.

Aurelio lifted a free-kick into the six-yard box, where Almunia, under intense pressure in the air, managed only a weak punch and Kuyt fired home from 10 yards.

Arsenal were furious with a supposed aerial assault on their goalkeeper, Wenger making the point angrily to fourth official Andre Marriner.

The Gunners' chief was even more upset two minutes later when it looked like Aurelio stopped Walcott's run with an arm across his face. Only a booking ensured.

Arsenal came out after the break fired up for the challenge and were level after 50 minutes.

Nasri tore down the right and fired in a low cross that Johnson turned past Reina for an own goal with Walcott lurking behind him.

Matchwinner

Mascherano was soon booked for a foul on Fabregas and it was soon to get worse for Liverpool, and especially Johnson.

Fabregas' cross after 58 minutes eluded Johnson, who then failed to stop Arshavin turning to fire in off the post from 18 yards.

Benitez finally turned to Aquilani with 25 minutes left, Mascherano making way, and with the watching Xabi Alonso applauding from the directors' box as the man bought to replace him trotted on.

But Aquilani made little impact and finished the game limping.

As much as the first half had been so positive for an aggressive Liverpool, the second was becoming deeply frustrating.

Passes started going astray, the Reds were no longer in Arsenal's faces, rather chasing their heels.

The passion had gone from Liverpool and the accomplished young Gunners had a measure of control they were not going to lose.

Arshavin was booked for one too many late challenges on defenders clearing the ball, then Fabregas for kicking the ball away from a free-kick.

David Ngog coming on for Yossi Benayoun and then Philipp Degen for a flagging, disconsolate Johnson did little to change the flow of the match and Liverpool now have just three wins in their last 15 games.

LiverpoolTeam StatisticsArsenal
1Goals2
11st Half Goals0
3Shots on Target4
2Shots off Target3
4Blocked Shots2
3Corners4
19Fouls16
4Offsides2
3Yellow Cards3
0Red Cards0
66.2Passing Success71
27Tackles19
74.1Tackles Success84.2
48.5Possession51.5
52.4Territorial Advantage47.6

Comments (4)

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Ryan Mcafee (Liverpool fan) says...

The term "pub team" performance is becoming so over-used in football today, Liverpool this seasoned have redifined what "pub team" is! Absolutely woefull!! I can honestly say im pleased for Arsenal, they have came to Anfield and played us off the park on our own turf, few teams can do what Arsenal do. Arshavin again with an amazing performance! As far as im concerned with Liverpool, there is only one thing i can say - Rafa must GO!!!! I dont see any way to change the situation, someone new with new ideas is needed. Rafa has had his time and he will always be remembered for taking us to Champions League glory in 2005 and for taking us further as a club. Im being totally honest, I think Rafa has had his time and cant take Liverpool any further. Im sorry Rafa but you have had your chance, take Mascherano with you because he obviously does not want to be at the club. Lets see if he can put Xavi, Iniesta or Busquets out of Barca XI....not gona happen Javier sorry!

Posted 22:21 13th December 2009

Cillian O donnachadha (Liverpool fan) says...

Today Liverpool had a fantastic first half and unless i am mistaken it was the first time this season that they had a full strength team. Gerrard and Torres were brilliant in the first half but are still not fit enough and looked a bit rusty when finishing for that reason. In the second half they just did not have the fitness. Earlier this year united beat Arsenal with United being the far better team, and Liverpool beat Everton though Everton were the better team, same thing happened to United against Chelsea, what goes around comes around and i guess it was Liverpool's turn. Liverpool have lost six but its xmas and every team has lost at least four so nothing is guaranteed. End of season Liverpool will be fourth as Aston Villa have not got the squad and Spurs are well Spurs, and Man City need another year to get it together. Arsenal did not deserve to win overall, a draw would have been fairer, but Arshavin... what a goal!!! Its early and we will go on a run as we always do... And then people will be saying too little too late.... but we will end fourth!! It ws definitely a penalty!!

Posted 22:15 13th December 2009

Steve Hamilton (Arsenal fan) says...

i agree to the above comment greevsie always said football is a funny old game an yes to the pundits or (sorry) people who are ment to know about football you are doing a great job (not) keep your coments until end of season

Posted 22:14 13th December 2009

Bob Milton (Arsenal fan) says...

Two weeks ago Arsenal lost to Chelsea, and all the so called experts said that was the title challenge over for them. Today Arsenal are third with a game in hand which could put them second three points behind Chelsea. Who are these experts? as far as i can see this year there are still six or seven teams in the running and that is good for the game and for the premiership. Stop paying these pundits so much they are really not worth the money, they are just like any supporter they have an opinion and thats it. This is such a wonderful sport that no one can predict what may or may not happen

Posted 21:54 13th December 2009
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