Sunday 21 August 2011

Post Match Reaction: Liverpool (H)

A downpour at the Emirates gave an early indications of the struggles we may face this season as BBC's Guy Mowbray summed Wenger's current situation up perfectly. It never rains, it pours.

The Talking Point:
With the game evenly poised and twenty minutes remaining, Frimpong saw red for a second bookable offence on Lucas Leiva. It was undoubtedly the turning point in the match as Liverpool took the ascendancy thanks to the introductions of Luis Suarez and Raul Mereiles off the subs bench.

Positives:
Despite the dismissal, Frimpong's emergence in the holding role on his full Premier League debut was more than encouraging and shows we perhaps have a worthy stand-in for Alex Song when he ventures to the African Cup of Nations in January. Bustling and busy all game, the lad's enthusiasm proved to be his undoing with a few reckless challenges but there's no doubt he'll only improve as time goes on and learn from his mistake.

Negatives:
To lose at home is always a disappointment. But to a potential title/top four rival, it's a real crush. Liverpool are arguably our nearest challengers for the hallowed top four position and if we can't record a victory against them then we can only fear for upcoming fixtures against the likes of United and Chelsea. Wenger's lack of activity in the summer transfer market is looking more and more unwise as the weeks go on and after both Koscielny and Djourou's injuries, the defence is truly threadbare. Young sub's Ignasi Miquel's inexperience was a prime example in both goals whilst going forward, a real lack of penetration was once again a problem.


Conclusion:
The problems are worsening, and with today looking like Samir Nasri's last ever appearance in a red and white shirt, Wenger needs to act in the transfer market and fast if he wants to make ground on the early leaders.

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