Premier League 2017/18: Arsenal 3-3 Liverpool, 5 Talking Points

As is often expected from these two sides, Arsenal and Liverpool produced another game of end-to-end football that's only given us a tease of what this Festive season holds.

Liverpool started the game in style thanks to a lovely header from Philippe Coutinho in the first half. Mohamed Salah added another in the second before Arsenal scored three from Alexis Sanchez, Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil. Roberto Firmino scored another deep in the second half.

Two halves of terrible defending, brilliant attacking and non-existent midfield-ing pretty much sum up the game but here are five things we learnt nonetheless.

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Same old Arsenal

#5 Arsenal lack fire, talent and drive

As is the case with Arsenal these days, they're as predictable as a pandora box. You never know what you expect when the team sheets are out irrespective of who's on it.

Arsene Wenger will be the obvious lightning rod for criticism but a number of their key players are beginning to show cracks when it really matters. Without the need to name anyone, all four departments of the team need cleansing.

These guys are magic.

#4 Fab-four growing in stature

Surely I wasn't the only one biting my fingernails when the team announced had Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah facing Arsenal.

The four of them have an almost-telekinetic understanding of each other and it showed again against Arsenal in the way that three of them got on the scoresheet.

Jurgen Klopp said in the pre-match interview that he'd never be able to replicate Wenger but if Liverpool continue in said path, they might turn into a side that only manages to outscore opposition rather than actually control the game - much like Arsenal.

Weber Shandwick, you looking?

#3 Alexis Sanchez - or his representative - is a PR genius

Imagine not getting the move you wanted but returned still being supported by loyal fans who looked at you with twinkling eyes. What would a person do then to get to justify moving away in the future without having to seem to force it through?

Create a context.

And Sanchez is doing just that. He lost the ball 27 times during the match, had a passing accuracy of 60% and lost 10 of his 15 duels in the game.

Genius.

Just let them walked right past them to score.

#2 Liverpool will not win the Premier League with this squad

That defence and depleting stars could very well lead to Liverpool not winning the title for a while. Manchester City did it right this season albeit by spending a boatload on some of the best players in the world.

But with Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho potentially leaving in the summer, Klopp has another rebuilding task on his hands. He's a good manager but much like Wenger, he hasn't the nose for 'defending'.

And you need a fair bit of that if you want to win the title. Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren aren't reliable at all. They conceded three goals in less than six minutes against a struggling Arsenal attack and that says enough about them.

Salute this man, Liverpool fans. He's a true professional.

#1 Coutinho showed Sanchez how its done

Come the summer, it's clear that the two of them will likely be in new teams with FC Barcelona in for the Liverpool man and Manchester City/Paris St Germain in for the Arsenal man.

But in the present, the Brazilian is showing the Chilean how to behave and perform. Coutinho is full of spirit and drive and is working for the betterment of his team, Sanchez is just the opposite.

Wenger said Sanchez is 'professional' about his stay but it just isn't showing on the field. Wouldn't be surprised if the manager decides to cut his losses and sell him for a sum next month.