EPL Review: Stuttering home form costs Arsenal full points and maybe, the title?

After Saturday’s classic showdown between the Manchester clubs in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and The El-Clasico of Spain, all attention shifted to North London where Arsenal entertained Liverpool.

This game ensured much irony even before kick-off, as all Man Utd fans would have been supporting Liverpool and Spurs fans supporting Arsenal. Arsenal, after two successive 0-0 draws at home, looked to end their goal drought at home and close on leaders Manchester United. But Liverpool provided a sterner test and were in no mood to surrender easily, even if it meant that anything less than a victory for the Gunners would dent Arsenal’s diminishing title hopes and hand Manchester United a record 19^th league title.

Remembering the lost ones

Team News

Arsenal made three changes from the team that won at Blackpool last time out. Keeper Wojciech Szczesny, centre-back Johan Djourou and winger Theo Walcott came into the side for Jens Lehmann, Sebastien Squillaci and Andrey Arshavin. Liverpool’s 18-year-old right-back John Flanagan kept his place in the side as Reds boss Kenny Dalglish retained the same side that beat Manchester City on Monday.

Goalless First Half

As the teams lined up on the pitch, a minute’s silence was observed before the kick off following the death of Arsenal board member Danny Fiszman and in memory of the 96 that died 22 years ago this week in the Hillsborough tragedy.

As the ref’s whistle blew, it was the usual story as Arsenal enjoyed much of the possession and Liverpool happy to sit back and hit Arsenal on the counter. Pepe Reina was soon tested as Theo Walcott’s swerving 22-yard shot troubled the Spaniard and he chose to block the ball rather than catching it because of its movement. Soon Arsenal came closest again to break the deadlock as Laurent Koscielny out jumped Jamie Carragher to meet Robin van Persie’s corner, but he was to be denied by the crossbar with Pepe Reina well beaten.

Liverpool, without their regular defenders Agger and Johnson were dealt another blow as Fabio Aurelio limped off the pitch with a hamstring strain. On came his replacement, 17-year-old Jack Robinson, who became Liverpool’s youngest ever player when he came on in the final game of the 2009-10 season against Hull as a 16-years-and-250-days-old. His task was to shut out Arsenal’s most potent weapon Theo Walcott. There was something to cheer for the Arsenal supporters when Robin van Persie finished with aplomb on the volley from Cesc Fabregas’s ball over the top, but the fans’ celebration was short-lived as the Dutchman was rightly called offside.

As the half wore on, The Gunners saw more chances wasted as Cesc Fabregas’ effort flew wide of the goal after Luis Suarez almost did a Steven Gerrard and played a nice pass to the Spaniard. Upto that point, Arsenal looked the likelier to score but the scoreline only told half the story there, as both sides looked dangerous going forward, as well as a touch vulnerable in defence. Arsenal finished the half strongly as Emmanuel Eboue would consider himself unlucky to not see his shot deflected in after being released in the box by Cesc Fabregas.

An Injury Ravaged Second Half

Kuyt dents Arsenal's hope of winning the title

Arsenal started the first half in similar fashion as the first but it was Liverpool who soon went closer as the Gunners backed off in the face off of Luis Suarez allowing the Uruguayan to curl a shot narrowly wide of the post. Soon after Liverpool were provided with another scare as star striker Andy Carroll looked in trouble after landing awkwardly on his left foot. A lengthy treatment followed but the striker came back on the pitch much to the relief of the Liverpool fans and of course to the relief of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish.

The evening became worse for Liverpool after their Captain was knocked out cold by his own team-mate John Flanagan. It was a bad clash of heads between the two and Carragher clearly came out worse as he went unconscious and was stretchered off after a lengthy treatment on the pitch. Sotiris Kyrgiakos replaced the Englishman and the game was again up and running after a best part of a six-minute break. Liverpool were forced into making another change as Carroll, who seemed to have not recovered by the injury made way for Jonjo Shelvey.

Arsene Wenger also shuffled his pack and introduced Nicklas Bendtner and Andrei Arshavin for Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott respectively. As the game moved on, it slowly became a dull affair as both teams created little and tension started brewing in the Arsenal camp as their team slowly headed to a third consecutive goalless draw at The Emirates. Alex Song was also introduced to spark life in the tiring midfield.

As the game edged closer to the 90 minute mark Arsenal were provided with surely the best chance of the game. Samir Nasri slipped Robin van Persie free in the Liverpool box 16 yards out with a delightful flick but the Dutchman, one on one, was denied by a brilliant Pepe Reina save. It was a massive chance for Arsenal to take the lead but Pepe Reina was equally good on that occasion and made sure that the game remained 0-0.

It was clearly evident that both sides were going for the win and they had Eight minutes of stoppage time to find that all important goal. And the drama unfolded in the seventh minute when Jay Spearing ended Cesc Fabregas’ mazy run in the box with a trip. The ref had no option but to award the penalty which Robin van Persie duly converted to send the home fans into ruptures.

Title Race was back on for the Gunners..!!

But this match didn’t had a fairytale ending for The Gunners as more drama unfolded and Liverpool were awarded with a penalty too after exactly 100 minutes of football. Liverpool won a free kick just outside the box and when Suarez slammed the free kick into the wall, the ball bobbled around in the Arsenal box and Eboue inexplicably hauled Lucas down inside the box. The ref pointed to the spot straight away. It was a needless challenge from the Ivorian and it also looked harsh. Dirk Kuyt, celebrating his contract extension, slammed home the resulting penalty which also proved the last kick of the game. The game ended on an ugly note when after full time, heated words were exchanged between the two managers on the touchline with King Kenny caught using abusive language on the camera.

The Managers got involved in a battle of words

Arsenal were in the end made to ruin their luck and missed opportunities. The result left Arsenal languishing in second spot and drop further behind leaders Manchester United while Liverpool on the other hand would be delighted with the three points considering it came without many of their first team players.