Source: SNAPPA
11 things we learned from Arsenal's convincing win over Liverpool
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
Just a question of which terrible defence capitulates first. #AFCvLFC
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 4, 2015
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.
After failing to concede a Premier League away goal in 685 mins of action, Liverpool conceded 3 goals in 8 minutes. pic.twitter.com/pX58qT3673
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 4, 2015
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.
With defending like this, is it any surprise that these teams were knocked out of Europe? #AFCvLFC
— Adam (@adwhiskey) April 4, 2015
2. Francis Coquelin is proving himself
Best player on the park was Coquelin. He's performed in every big PL match he's played this season.
— DaG (@Wrighty_8) April 4, 2015
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.
Seriously, how good is Coquelin? Been magnificent. Best defensive midfielder in the Premier League in my opinion.
— Isaac Gallows (@23__Football) April 4, 2015
3. Simon Mignolet is back in familiar territory
Mignolet been brilliant today but can't get beat like that on your side from a free kick.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 4, 2015
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.
Mignolet the only one on the pitch who actually cares here.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) April 4, 2015
Keeper shouts at defence when he makes a good save. Shut up get back in your goal that's what your paid for.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 4, 2015
4. Arsenal fans still don’t trust their team at 3-0 up
3-0 is a dangerous scoreline! Fingernail time for last 30mins #AFCvLFC
— Rich Mitchell (@richmitchell84) April 4, 2015
After THAT performance against Anderlecht, we’re not sure we blame them.
5. Olivier Giroud is dat guy
Olivier Giroud has scored 9 goals in his last 10 Premier League games – 37.5% chance conversion rate. pic.twitter.com/k1fAxT0eNV
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 4, 2015
Not only is he the Premier League’s resident hottie, he can’t seem to stop scoring.
Oooomph. What a man #mancrush #AFCvLFC 4-1!!
— ReeceLock (@ReeceLock) April 4, 2015
That beauty of a man with a beautiful goal… La la la la Giroud #ArsenaI #AFCvLFC pic.twitter.com/UEOeMSSwhc
— DÃ wit âš½ (@23dawit) April 4, 2015
Giroud has been involved in 22 goals this season. And he was injured for 3 months. Let that sink in. #AFCLive pic.twitter.com/SQpmExyl0W
— Goonersphere.com (@Goonersphere) April 4, 2015
So happy for Olivier Giroud, he's really proving all haters wrong. He gets so, so,so much undeserved hate.
— Arsenal News (@__arsenal_news_) April 4, 2015
Olivier Giroud becomes 3rd Gunner in #EPL era to score in 6 PL matches in a row after Adebayor (7 matches, 07-08) and Ian Wright (6, 94).
— Infostrada Sports (@InfostradaLive) April 4, 2015
6. You should never, ever, make promises on Twitter
If Ozil scores today I'll cut my dick off
— alex the god (@futazza) April 4, 2015
I meant giroud
— alex the god (@futazza) April 4, 2015
He should’ve said he meant David Ospina.
7. Arsenal fans seem certain that Sterling’s on his way to Arsenal this summer
Don't cry Raheem you will play @ChampionsLeague football with us next season #AFCvLFC pic.twitter.com/8p6n3UXvzj
— Dr. Adigz (@officialdaddymo) April 4, 2015
Or even sooner…
Raheem Sterling out on the pitch for the second half. #AFCvLFC pic.twitter.com/vKeYIFzHcZ
— James Martin (@Pundamentalism) April 4, 2015
8. Arsene Wenger has finally learned how to do up his coat
Wow now there's a shock…wenger managed to zip up his coat 😳 #AFCvLFC
— Julie Allan (@Julie_Utd) April 4, 2015
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
Per lumbers. That's the best verb for him. Lumber. #AFCvLFC
— Kathy Le (@daydreamer07) April 4, 2015
He’d most likely agree.
10. Liverpool’s top four challenge is pretty much over
Rodgers concedes race for top-four: "It is nigh-on impossible for us now. We will keep trying but it is highly, highly unlikely." #LFC
— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) April 4, 2015
11. And if Arsenal keep winning, Chelsea might start to worry
Would take an absolute miracle for Chelsea to lose the PL, but Arsenal’s playing the best football on the 2nd half of the season.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) April 4, 2015
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.
THE GUNNERS ARE 2ND. 4 POINTS BEHIND CHELSEA
WE ARE COMING CHELSEA. WE ARE COMING FOR YOU.
— Arsenal News (@__arsenal_news_) April 4, 2015