Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis, Premier League 2018/19

The headline game of the weekend between Arsenal and Liverpool ended 1-1 as both teams were made to share the spoils in what went down as a closely contested affair. James Milner opened the scoring, but a late, well-crafted goal from Alexandre Lacazette helped Unai Emery and co. extend their unbeaten run to 14 matches.

The revived Arsenal side played some exquisite football throughout the flow of the game and enjoyed more chances, but Liverpool yet again highlighted how dangerous they can be on the break with the pace of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

It was a world-class game that was undermined by a shallow score line of 1-1, this was a game that was enjoyed by the entire football fraternity. Although the home team couldn't secure three points, they have set out a real statement of purpose to the other top sides in the league.

Here are the five major talking points from the draw between Arsenal and Liverpool.

#1 Arsenal gain early momentum and start on the front foot

Aubameyang made a couple of clever runs in behind the Liverpool defence

Right from the word go, the Gunners started on a positive note. They created chance after chance with the innovation of pure variety and class. Their players took turns to run on the back of Liverpool's full backs and exploit spaces in midfield.

Ozil set Aubameyang free on a couple of occasions but the Gabonese was ruled off-side. Moments later, Kolasinac overlapped the wingers and whipped one in towards Lacazette, who was too close to Alisson.

Moreover, the hosts drew plenty of plaudits and interest for the way they held up the ball in tight situations, linked up play and played fluid, efficient football.

Ozil took up clever positions and kept his distance from the likes of Wijnaldum in order to get some room at the center of the park. Lacazette engineered a couple of beautiful interchanges with Kolasinac, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang and the latter always looked to run in behind the opposition back line.

Arsenal illustrated sheer patience and intelligence by starting attacks from the back rather perfectly. With the ball-playing abilities of Bernd Leno, the likes of Mustafi and Holding looked far more comfortable and assertive with their passing.

Clearly, the first quarter of the game went to a spirited Arsenal side. Till that point, they enjoyed a staggering 67% possession against a team that loves to keep hold of the ball.

#2 Both teams refuse to hold back as the first-half ends goalless

The first 45 minutes suggested very little about the frenetic pace of proceedings at the Emirates as both teams refused to shy away from committing bodies forward or hold back. The home side saw more of the ball throughout the period but the Reds too, sent out a few warnings to Leno and co.

There was plenty to shout about for either side. An array of chances fell to both teams but none were taken, with some also being disallowed by the linesman. Mkhitaryan hopped onto a mistake from Alisson but headed it just wide. The same error was replicated by Leno, who came out of his lines but failed to punch the ball away. Van Dijk though was denied by the frame of the goal.

The half rocketed through as crosses were being played repeatedly, chances were created and both sides were pacy with their movement from defence to attack. While Mustafi was denied for the hosts, Mane's simple tap-in was ruled offside.

Salah was unleashed on quite a few occasions but the so-called Egyptian king failed to find the final ball consistently. He did pick a peach of a pass to Van Dijk, who chested it first, laid it down smoothly for himself but couldn't tuck home the opener as Leno made himself big and equalled the shot.

Elsewhere, Lacazette, Firmino and Aubameyang all got half-chances. All in all, the first-half was intriguing, fast-paced and breathtaking.

#3 Should the VAR be included?

Was Mane off when Firmino chipped the ball here?

The major talking point of the first-half and arguably the match, apart from all the exhilarating action, was Liverpool's disallowed goal. Against the run of play, Trent Alexander-Arnold crafted a pass through for Roberto Firmino, who excellently beat a charging Leno but saw himself hit the top of the cross-bar.

However, the ball fell to Sadio Mane. The Senegalese star placed it in the back of the net with aplomb but to his disarray and frustration, assistant referee Simon Long raised his flag.

Now, the heated point of discussion is whether he was offside and secondly, was it the assistant to blame?

Firstly, it was certainly onside. The moment when Firmino stuck his foot out in order to reach out for the ball and slot the ball past the German shot-stopper, Mane was ahead of all the red and white shirts but behind both Leno and his teammate. And that is what must be taken into account at such a situation.

When the ball was played in for the Brazilian forward, the linesman Long was a good 10-12 yards behind the line of attack. Was it is fault or is it too much to ask of his athletic abilities? One thing is clear, it should not and will not take a lot of time for VAR to bless English football.

#4 Arsenal continue to play beautiful football but Liverpool draw first blood

Much like the first-half, the North London side began the second period of the game with flamboyance and freedom. They racked up passes, played some exquisite balls from defence to attack and continued to knock at Liverpool's defence.

Apart from a handful of counter-attacking moves by Liverpool, it was all Arsenal. Van Dijk's substantial and gigantic frame prevented Arsenal not once but many a time. He kept out Mkhitaryan once and denied a lot of through balls. Arguably, he was the best player on the pitch in this match.

Torreira won the ball back, pushed forward and tested Alisson once as well. The Reds were defensively solid, but it was Arsenal maintaining their habit in this period.

However, it was the evergreen James Milner who broke the deadlock with a sumptuous finish on the big stage, portraying his experience and composure. A cross was played into the box, Leno parried it away but only hoped it would fall to one of his teammates.

Unfortunately for him, it came to Milner, who steadied himself, kept it down and powerfully placed the ball past the opposition keeper.

#5 The title race only gets bigger from here

In terms of fluency, craft and creativity, Arsenal were clearly and undoubtedly the better side. A better side than a team drilled by Jurgen Klopp, currently feared as one of the best-attacking outfits in European football. Apart from their dominance and guile, they still had to come back from behind to extend their unbeaten run.

They showed grit, character and the spirit to level the scoreline, restore parity and salvage a point. From the individual brilliance of Alexandre Lacazette that got the equalizer, Alex Iwobi's inclusion proved to leave a telling effect on the game. Take nothing away from Emery as well, who's substitutions were fantastic.

Now, Manchester City might be clear at the top with a win against Southampton in their next fixture, but there are genuine yet relevant contenders this season. While Liverpool continue to illustrate their firepower this season, the Gunners too showed how lethal they can be against a top opponent.

Another thing was sure - the Arsenal-Liverpool rivalry has another high-octane chapter pinned to it now.

So now, it's Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City - all closely tussling and battling it out for the Premier League triumph. This race is only getting feistier and better in terms of quality.

Edited by Sripad