15 Aug 2016 09:47:58
Hi Ed001, I noticed on the Liverpool page you gave a quick review of the game yesterday. Just wondering if we could get your opinion from an Arsenal point of view?

And also your thoughts on Cazorla? I would have him in the team at all costs.

{Ed001's Note - sorry was out so it has taken me a while to get round to doing this. Easy enough to edit on a phone but not to post up long replies!

First half Arsenal were the better side, but did not create enough, for all Ramsey's hard running, he does not have the quality on the ball to create and it was clear the team missed a focal point up top and Ozil. Despite this, Liverpool were poor and Arsenal were able to take control and the lead. Can count themselve unlucky to go in at half time level being honest.

Second half they just were overrun as Liverpool stepped up a gear and tore you apart. Arsenal were the disjointed side, but the return of Cazorla was a blessing. You always look a better side with him in the centre of midfield, he works hard, he creates and he is clever. Unfortunately you had him alongside Xhaka, who runs around a lot kicking things but offers nothing else, and Coquelin, who was subdued after his booking. Cazorla had no one to link with or play in and it was as much down to Liverpool thinking the game was won at 4-1 and sitting back, as to any improvement in Arsenal's play, that you got back to 4-3.

Positives were that you kept going, even at 4-1, so spirit is good within the group. Holding looks like he has a real potential, he was confident and composed most of the game. The return of Cazorla, he is, for me, your most important player, though Ozil and Sanchez are better players, he is the one who makes the team fire on all cylinders.

Negatives are Walcott, he has still not managed to become a footballer. Xhaka, I still do not understand this signing for that much money, every time I watch him he does exactly what he did yesterday, runs round kicking everything but the ball. You still have absolutely no alternative to Giroud, who is not good enough to lead the team to the title, though he is good enough to be in the squad, he should be cover or for those games when you play two up front. Cech still does not look right, he just doesn't seem the same player since signing for Arsenal. Sanchez looks unhappy up front, but I would also see that as a positive as he could hardly play any worse in the future. As usual, injuries are a concern.}

1.) 15 Aug 2016
15 Aug 2016 12:21:43
Thanks Ed. Sadly, I have to agree with almost all of that. The sooner Ozil, Kos and Giroud return to the team, the better.

The only point I don't agree with is Xhaka. I haven't seen enough of him yet to really comment, but technically he seems brilliant and I think when Ozil returns to the team his passing range could really help, especially picking him out. Just from the game yesterday though, he is pretty rash in his tackling and is going to get a lot of yellow cards if he carries on playing like that.