10-man Arsenal held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw within the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal on Thursday evening as Granit Xhaka was despatched off early within the first half.
A tough-fought draw at Anfield.
Onto the second leg – ????????! ✊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 13, 2022
Beneath an electrical Anfield environment, the match acquired off to a fiesty begin with each side trying to get on the entrance foot. Liverpool’s excessive press brought about Arsenal issues with Aaron Ramsdale not having the very best of begins together with his distribution.
Arsenal responded with some stress of their very own with Alexandre Lacazette trying to catch Alisson out of place with an extended vary sighter. The sport settled into a pleasant ebb and movement with little clear reduce possibilities.
That modifications midway by means of the primary half as Andy Robertson performed in Diogo Jota with a very good ball excessive. Granit Xhaka monitoring again went in excessive to get the ball however might solely carry down Jota and was despatched off being the final man.
Our second change of the night…
↩️ @EddieNketiah9
? @RobHolding95? 0-0 ⚡️ (28)
? #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/nf7pcznCjp
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 13, 2022
Liverpool began to dominate the ball with Robertson and his counterpart, Alexander-Arnold seeing an increasing number of off the ball. Arteta threw on Rob Holding to make it a 5 man backline that was powerful to interrupt down for the Reds.
The Gunners defended effectively and seemed to counter by means of Bukayo Saka as an outlet. The primary half ended goalless and was devoid of aim mouth motion however entertaining nonetheless.
Heading into the break degree, with the guests having been lowered to 10 males. #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/sSh6Io1P7e
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 13, 2022
The second half started the identical manner the primary ended with the Arsenal defence blunting the Liverpool assault. By the hour mark, neither facet had a shot on course.
The Reds had been feeling the absence of their important males Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, who’re each on worldwide obligation on the African Cup of Nations. Takumi Minamino was Liverpool’s brightest participant, which isn’t saying a lot. He linked effectively with the remainder of the attacking line, and made intelligent runs.
The golden probability fell to Minamino within the ninetieth minute when a free ball fell to the attacker within the field with Ramsdale out of place. The Japanese worldwide although couldn’t management his shot on the half volley and fired over with the aim gaping.
90′ – Massive probability! Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross causes a combination up between Ramsdale and two defenders. It falls to Minamino however he cannot recover from the ball.
[0-0] #LIVARS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 13, 2022
Neco Williams fired in a harmful ball in damage time however Ben White was in the best place to clear it away from the aim line to make sure that the edges went into the second leg on equal footing. Listed here are our key takeaways from the match –
A BIG LOSS
Granit Xhaka’s pink card was his fifth in all competitions since making his Arsenal debut, greater than some other performed within the league. His straight dismissal meant that he’ll miss the North London derby in opposition to Spurs on the weekend and the reverse leg on the Emirates.
5 – Since his debut season with Arsenal in 2016-17, no Premier League participant has been despatched off extra instances in all competitions than Granit Xhaka (5). Orders. pic.twitter.com/MLVP5gaGVH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 13, 2022
Regardless of his chaotic nature, Xhaka stays one of the crucial essential gamers for Arteta and he can be a giant miss in these large video games. He is among the few senior gamers within the crew and may management the midfield. The pink card brought about extra issues to Arsenal than simply on the evening.
ARTETA SHOWS MATURITY
Arsenal beneath Arteta have been plagued with inconsistency and the identical has continued this season. Beneath tough circumstances, the crew confirmed nice indicators of maturity and Arteta too tempered his facet’s attacking tendencies effectively.
There have been nice indicators of enchancment this season and that is one other stepping stone for the youngest facet within the Premier League.
WHEREFORT ART THOU MO
For Jurgen Klopp, the subsequent month appears to be like gloomy. In a congested and tough run of fixtures he can be with out his two main aim scorers. The absence of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane has the potential to make the distinction between a profitable season for Liverpool or a trophy-less one.