That’s more like it. A nice resounding result after a dominant performance. This was fully deserved even if inevitably, there were some tricky moments. The first half domination and the last minute equalizer was so deflating. Yet, after their initial second half surge, we found our way back.
Maybe this was just the two best center-halfs in the EPL both showing they are human. The mix up between Saliba and Raya was mainly on Saliba, But, our second was more squarely on Van Dyke. And the latter was the game changer.
Tactically, Arteta was perfect today. The introduction of Jorghino was pivotal to the balance of the team. It allowed for both he and Rice to provide the control of the midfield. As impressive as Rice was – with some typically crunching tackles – it was the calmness and neatness of Jorghino that stood out today. If he had such an inch more speed he would have been truly world class. Instead, today we saw someone who has mastered the intricacies of the position and then instruct and help everyone around him. Sure, we don’t play him that often, but today, after being deeply skeptical of his original signing back last January, he fully demonstrated his fundamental contribution for this team. He steadied the midfield and provided the on-field guidance that allows Arteta to channel his philosophy and control onto the field. The best we’ve seen Jorghino. And the well deserved man of the match.
Rice though was so strong and physical. Who would you rather pay £100m for? Rice of MacAllister. It’s pretty clear we got the better deal. In that first half he closed down both Jones and, mainly, MacAllister, dispossessing them and also acting as the last man in defense when needed. And yet, he still propelled us forward. He reminds me of an improved version of Ramsey, or, as I’ve said many times, Vieira 2.0.
Have-that really should have scored that first goal prior to Saka cleaning up. We thoroughly deserved it. Have-that though worked so hard throughout the game. Sure, his first touch failed him in the second half when MacAllister brought him down. But it was Have-that that tracked back in the second half, did not jump in to give-up a penalty prior to Nunez skying the ball over. But that was Jesus-like in terms of the work rate and spirit. It’s a shame that he can’t find that scoring touch. But all game long he fought Konate and, essentially, got him sent off. I was worried with him starting up front but, today, he delivered and earned respect.
That pass from Odergaard to set him up was classic. Deft, delicate and cushioned to exactly the right pace and position for Have-that. Odergaard was all over the pitch today, defending resolutely and providing a springboard for moving forward. Of course, rather than shoot as often as he should he still looks for the perfect pass. This is something we’ve seen from Arsenal in the last twenty years. From Pires through to Santi, Cesc, Hleb and Rosicky. It’s part of our DNA though it can be frustrating. He really deserved the assist for that one. And then again when, in the second half, he picked out Kiwior who headed perfectly into the midriff of Alisson.
Both wingers seemed to rediscover their groove today. In particular, Martinelli, was such an effective outlet. He skinned Konate within 10 minutes and setup a headed chance that Saka somehow managed to put wide. By having Zinny playing a more classic left-back role with Jorghino also working the left side, it meant that AA was isolated and peripheral for most of the game. And it allowed Martinelli to work that space behind AA and expose Konate. Unlike in previous matches though this felt like a return to the electric Martinelli we’d seen last year.
Saka was also back in his groove. Sure, he should have scored that header, but his overall contribution was so improved. I mean, even his corners were better than the Forest ones. And of course, he put himself in the right position to nab that all important opening goal. We had dominated them from the offset. And going into the half-time break only 1-0 up seemed a poor reward for all our work. You just knew they could not be as ineffective in the second half. You knew, just as when we played at Anfield, that Klopp would change things up and make them more competitive, more of a threat.
Instead, Saliba found a way to gift them their goal. I don’t believe they’d had a shot on target the entire first half and somehow we conspired to let them equalize. Most of the responsibility falls on Saliba for not winning the original header and then being indecisive. It will not surprise anyone that I also hold Raya slightly responsible as well. In the penalty area he has to scream clear instructions and take control. He should have told Saliba to kick it out or to come charging out. But he did neither. Of course, Saliba should have just kicked the ball out. That’s two defensive errors in two matches now for Saliba. He should have been physically stronger against Forest for their only goal and today he should have been more commanding. Today he seemed a little unsure with his distribution. A few times, especially in the first half, he seemed hesitant, dithered on the ball and take too many touches. He’s still our best defender but, like an young player, he will make mistakes and learn. I would not swap him for Van Dyke – who also demonstrated how easy it is for a world class players to make mistakes.
White somehow got booked for time wasting but beyond that he was excellent. There was a time at the start of the second half when Liverpool seemed to have discovered their rhythm when White was caught out of position. But aside from that he was strong and dominate against Diaz. But, as prominent as our set-ball coach is, why can’t that guy help with our throw-ins. It really does take White an infinite amount of time for him to throw the ball in. Part of this is that the players around him don’t provide him enough options. But, surely, some of this is that he never grew up as a full-back and just has not figured out what to do. Either way, you’d have thought one of our endless army of coaches would have been able to help him out by now.
As much as I want Ramsdale in goal – and clearly, that will never happen in this universe – I have to grudgingly have acknowledge again, that Raya’s quick distribution helps spring us into attack. Whether it be by throwing or kicking it out, he provides us with a potent counter-attack. Dam, I hate having to say nice things about Raya.
Gabriel scored their only goal and I don’t think Raya really had one save to make apart from a few long distance speculative shots. I could have played in goal today. As against Forest, we really should have kept a clean-sheet and Raya was largely untroubled. But hopefully, with such young defenders, we will just work our way through these mistakes.
We were so much in control today. Just as we were at Anfield. And in the F A Cup. And finally, we got what we deserved. And what Arteta deserved. He set up the midfield perfectly. His tactics nullified anything Liverpool tried. And, his substitutions helped change the game, unlike Liverpool. I would have left Martinelli on and taken off Have-that but Arteta knows best. And Trossard skinned Elliot before pulling off a Jesus-like finish to shoot between Alisson’s legs to put the game to rest. And it was also nice to see Nelson come on. It was his header out of the box from their corner that helped lead to the sending off of Konate.
This was a complete performance today. There can be no doubt who were the superior team and who deserved the points. After the Christmas disaster that’s three wins on the spin now. And whereas the other two were expected, even, demanded, this one was a statement victory. It reestablishes our title credentials. It puts us in a competitive position for the rest of season – as long as we avoid last seasons meltdown. I still feel we’re a little short from a squad depth perspective.
Zinny came off because of his unreliable calf and Partey, well, remains thoroughly predictable and injured. We have Tommy coming back from the Asia cup and Elneny on the bench. But with the Champions League starting up again there are certain players we need to wrap in cotton wall. It was good to see ESR start against Forest. It was inevitable he would not start today but hopefully he begins to see more game time and can start more games. We’ll need his speed of thought and inventiveness when we come up against the brick-wall defenses of teams like Forest. I’ve never seen a team consistently defend so deep for so long before. They certainly deserve to get relegated with the style of play they’ve adopted. They make the Bolton of old seem adventurous.
A great day, a great result and a great atmosphere. There are many more challenges ahead of us but today we performed at the highest level. We need to enjoy days like this. I knew we could not afford to lose today but I had not expected to win nor to have been so convincing.
-LB7