11 things we learned from Arsenal's convincing win over Liverpool

04 April 2015 15:46

Arsenal continued their fantastic form at the Emirates today by beating Liverpool 4-1. That goes at least some way to repaying the 5-1 thrashing they received at Anfield last season.

The Gunners now sit second behind Chelsea, with a game in hand over Manchester City in third. It was a game full of delightful finishes, from an Arsenal perspective, and a penalty just about converted by Jordan Henderson to make the scoreline look slightly better for Liverpool.

Here’s what we learned.

1. The Premier League is made up of terrible defences

On the day it was Liverpool’s which crumbled, letting in three goals in eight minutes before half-time – but on another day it could just have easily been the other way round.

Raheem Sterling had a few decent chances for Liverpool, after they weathered an early Arsenal storm, but his finishing needed improvement.

While it was a game that most neutrals and all Arsenal fans will have enjoyed, Gary Neville was probably at home tutting profusely at the telly.

2. Francis Coquelin is proving himself

When Coquelin stepped into the team after being sent on loan to Charlton earlier in the season, it wasn’t exactly what Arsenal’s fans were hoping for. For longer than we care to remember they’ve been begging Arsene Wenger to invest in a world class holding midfielder, and what did they get? Francis Coquelin.

He’s been superb though. Since that game at Manchester City, he hasn’t put a foot wrong. In a team of players who show their class on the ball in the middle of the park with little dummies and shoulder-drops, Coquelin keeps it simple and that’s exactly what Arsenal need from a player in his position.

Although that may have gone to some fans’ heads.

3. Simon Mignolet is back in familiar territory

While the Liverpool keeper did make a number of impressive stops, he arguably could’ve done better for Mesut Ozil’s free-kick as well as Alexis Sanchez’s strike a few minutes later.

It puts him back in the position of being simultaneously loved and hated by the fans.

4. Arsenal fans still don’t trust their team at 3-0 up

After THAT performance against Anderlecht, we’re not sure we blame them.

5. Olivier Giroud is dat guy

Not only is he the Premier League’s resident hottie, he can’t seem to stop scoring.

6. You should never, ever, make promises on Twitter

He should’ve said he meant David Ospina.

7. Arsenal fans seem certain that Sterling’s on his way to Arsenal this summer

Or even sooner…

8. Arsene Wenger has finally learned how to do up his coat

You know that tent he’s regularly seen wearing in the dugout? He’s finally figured out how it works. Long gone are the days of this:

9. There’s a perfect word to describe Per Mertesacker’s movement

He’d most likely agree.

10. Liverpool’s top four challenge is pretty much over

11. And if Arsenal keep winning, Chelsea might start to worry

Chelsea still have to travel to the Emirates, and other than a trip to Old Trafford the Gunners’ run-in looks fairly easy to navigate. They’re not out of it yet, but they’d need Chelsea to suffer a slip-up that so far this season hasn’t looked forthcoming.

Source: SNAPPA