Arsenal send message – we’re here to stay.

This matchup was supposed to show both teams in a positive light. It was to highlight the credentials of both teams as title challengers. In the end it wasn’t as big a test for Arsenal as everyone thought. In the end Brendan Rodgers Svengali approach to football was outmatched by Wenger’s thoughtful, measured approach.

Up until this match, pundits were all hyping the 3-5-2 that Rodgers was employing because it was creating a myriad of chances for their vaunted partnership of Suarez and Sturridge. Conversely pundits wondered openly if Arsenal really faced a test all season in the league.  They went to their old stalwart of Arsenal having a weak defense and that “SAS”, would have their way with Mertesacker and Koscielny.

By the end of the match, it was clear which unit came out on top and it wasn’t the Merseyside duo. Laurent Koscielny’s one-on-one play versus Suarez pretty much took him out of the match. That combined with Liverpool getting completely overrun in the midfield, forced Rodgers to abandon his now exposed 3-5-2  for a more practical 4-4-2. The problem is this too played into Arsenal’s hands.

Going 4-4-2 left Suarez pushed out wide. The switch hopefully, would lead him to disappear and be able to get the ball out wide and get the ball into Sturridge. Two things happened though. First, Bacary Sagna. Sagna is still one of the best RBs in the league and isn’t easy to beat when trying to come inside. On the rare occasion Suarez got past Sagna, he either didn’t get a chance because of support or his shot drizzled wide.

The other thing that happened is that Suarez got greedy. He got free on one attempt late in the 2^nd half with Sturridge open on the right and didn’t pass. He went for the shot and it went wide. In fairness to Suarez, Koscielny who now had responsibility to mark Sturridge was in the passing lane.

Overall, though this was a statement for Arsenal. It was a statement in how easy it was for Arsenal to dismantle a team many thought would give Arsenal a fit. But with the formation they were using, there was always going to be space for Arsenal’s pass masters to have the space and movement they needed to dictate play.

In the end it was this ability to dictate the play in the middle of the pitch that won the match for Arsenal. For all the pre match talk of Liverpool’s scoring prowess it was glossed over that they haven’t really faced anyone who passes and moves with the ball like Arsenal. Liverpool were always the dominant force against lesser opponents.

Arsenal’s midfield thrust of Ramsey, Özil, Rosicky, and Ramsey interchanged regularly and moved the ball with the precision that they’ve shown over and over again.  Liverpool were mere spectators as they neither pressed nor possessed the ball long enough to have an impact. There were long periods of time when Arsenal simply move the ball with ease and Liverpool could only chase spaces. Mesut Özil on his twitter called it “football at F1 speed.” He was right and Liverpool could only move their heads with the pace.

While Ramsey will get the plaudits for his beautifully taken nail in the coffin goal, my star performer has to be Mikel Arteta. With Mathieu Flamini doing an outstanding job as our DM some were beginning to wonder whether Arteta should play that spot again.

Let’s put that to rest now. Mikel Arteta was spectacular in that role yet again. From his position deep in the midfield he completely rode rough shod over the entire midfield area.  By the end of the day, he had 7 out 9 successful tackles, completed 100 of 106 passes for a success rate of 94%, had 2 interceptions, 2 clearances,  and won 2 take ons. His only negative stat was losing 2 aerial duels (damn his height). In other words, the man who is going to go down as one of Arsene Wenger’s more shrewd purchases, showed yet again why he is so good. Let’s put to bed any silly nonsense that Arteta simply isn’t good enough.

Arteta passing and heat map (courtesy Squawka)

Arteta shows up constantly for the big matches and stars in them all. With Dortmund and United up next, Arteta will have an influential part to play in those matches. And you know what, that’s okay.

Other players stood out throughout the day as well. Oliver Giroud failed to net  a goal but his influence was still felt. His pressure on the back line caused all sorts of trouble for the Liverpool defense. His link up play and ability to bring the rest of the Arsenal attackers is amazingly solid and one part that’s not getting mentioned a lot, his ability to get back and play defense. He had 3 successful clearances in the Arsenal defensive end. Even when not putting it in the net, Giroud is having an important influence in matches. As we discussed earlier this week, he truly is giving Wenger food for thought in the hunt for an additional striker.

Arsenal have taken a rather large step in proving the doubters wrong. In their hunt for reestablishing their league title credentials, pummeling Liverpool (a media darling whether they believe it or not) with such ease carries some heft to it. It put Arsenal 5 points clear of the next title challenger and actually gives them some flexibility in terms of outcomes next weekend.

No, we should accept that they could lose and still be in first. But the fact remains while others flounder, Arsenal remain consistent. Again, people pointed out the failings against Dortmund and Chelsea as a means to flog this team and ridicule it. Each time they ignored glaring facts – 1. Arsenal were neck and neck with Dortmund for the whole match.  It was a match of equals and unfortunately it were the Arsenal who had to come out on the opposite end of that match. 2. The loss to Chelsea showed one thing – our total lack of desire to be in that cup. As much as Wenger wanted to gloss over it and say we were in it, he also noted it wasn’t the most important of competitions for the club. When that comes from the manager, it is likely the players will feel the same way too.

They showed yesterday what matters to them – the league. The turned in a stellar performance. They effectively shut down the league’s most potent strikers, commanded themidfield,  walked away with their third clean sheet of the season and more important left the Emirates with 3 points and more confidence heading into the next weekend tie at Old Trafford.

 A note about the controversial free kick call.

Scousers as their lot in life were moaning all over the place about Atkinson’s calling back the free kick after the foul committed by Sagna on the break away. However, they should know that laws of the game state that if the ref deems that the foul is card worthy, then the card must be shown before the free kick is allowed to proceed. Therefore, as much as Liverpudlians want to feel they were aggrieved by Atkinson, they weren’t he followed the letter of the law when he decided the foul was card-worthy.

S0 tell us your thoughts. Are Arsenal title contenders? Who was your man of the match?