Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool: Five things we learned as Reds win at the Emirates

LIverpool open their account with big win at the Emirates / Image via liverpoolecho.co.uk

Sunday match programme in the Premier League’s first competitive week ended with a cracker of a game that was played at the Emirates.

Arsenal welcomed Liverpool in a match which proved to be a highly eventful spectacle as Reds stole a 4-3 victory away from below-par Gunners.

And with seven goals on the score sheet we take a look at the five key moments in the game:

Liverpool deserve their big win

The game started so well for Arsenal fans with Theo Walcott opening the scoring at the half-hour mark, but Liverpool never gave up and worked well and hard to earn what has been a deserved win.

Jurgen Klopp’s efforts to catapult his team back amongst the Premier League elite began in quite a fashion as Reds score four goals including Coutinho’s first-ever Premier League free-kick goal.

After a slower first half Liverpool dominated the majority of the proceedings and despite conceding three were always in control of the game.

Klopp’s debutants Klavan and Mane put in a memorable display with the latter being particularly impressive with his solo wonder goal. Former Southampton man was one of the most prominent performers for Liverpool today proving that he might be a valuable addition to the squad.

Overall Liverpool deserved their win against apathetic Arsenal today as they left a couple of questions unanswered for Arsene Wenger who was booed away from the pitch after the final whistle.

Might Rob Holding be a Solution for Arsene Wenger’s Woes?

Injury problems to first-choice defenders forced Arsene Wenger to go for Callum Chambers and Premier League newcomer Rob Holding, who might have got more than what he bargained for in his first official game for Arsenal.

The 20-year-old England defender was signed this summer from Bolton, but was deemed of not enough quality to be considered a first-team potential as Arsenal supporters demanded more prominent signings in the back line.

Arsenal youngster however put in a decent performance in the absence of injured Per Mertesacker, Gabriel Paulista and Laurent Koscielny.

Holding was the one who brought Coutinho down prior to Brazilian’s wonder free-kick goal, but Liverpool magician is believed to have fallen softly and this particular moment should not be taken as Holding’s error to the full extent.

Other than that Holding held pretty well alongside not that impressive Chambers and his overall performance must have been given a positive assessment should the Gunners not have conceded four goals in a disappointing loss at the Emirates.

Arsenal Need More Firepower Upfront

Theo Walcott’s rollercoaster performance was the only thing worth mentioning from Arsenal’s poor display in front of Liverpool goal. England winger won a penalty, but failed to convert it thanks to a wonderful save from Simon Mignolet.

Walcott made amends immediately with the game’s opening goal but the moment of brilliance from Arsenal’s man was not enough to eradicate a bitter feeling for all Arsenal fans after the game.

Olivier Giroud was sorely missed with Alexis Sanchez displaying a rather poor performance as well and Arsene Wenger will surely reconsider his firm stance on his team being in no need of big additions this transfer window following a woeful showings upfront against the Reds.

Arsenal managed to score two more goals in the second half but individual effort from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chambers’ header after Casorla’s free kick were simply not enough to improve the overall impression.

Alberto Moreno a Huge Liability

Sunday’s game at the Emirates revealed big weaknesses for both teams and with seven goals on the score sheet it is obvious that both sides’ defences are not at their top level just yet.

We saw a couple of bright moments in Rob Holding’s brave performance and Ragnar Klavan’s impressive debut display, but one player has been worryingly disappointing for the winners of this game. Alberto Moreno struggled to make an impression at the Emirates with Liverpool left-back being the biggest liability for visitors today.

The Spaniard was one to blame for Walcott’s penalty, while his mistake only 69 seconds later led to Theo Walcott making up for his penalty miss as he gave Arsenal the lead.

Jurgen Klopp will surely consider adding more options to left back in the closing stages of the transfer window this August to increase pressure and competition for places as he attempts to get Liverpool back among the top four teams in the Premier League this season.

Coutinho is World Class

The 24-year-old Brazilian has definitely been the brightest spark for Liverpool at the Emirates.

Philippe Coutinho scored a brace to round off an impressive performance during which he once again proved that Reds’ fans should be lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy the world-class footballer in their ranks.

Liverpool magician was brought down by Holding for a free-kick leading toa wonderful long-range curler which allowed Liverpool to level the score in the first half, while the Brazilian scored another one later in the game after a fantastic team play.

The Brazilian was the Man of the match in my view and could go on to be the most important player for Liverpool this season.

ARSENAL: Cech 6.5 – Bellerin 6, Holding 6.5, Chambers 6, Monreal 6.5 – Elneny 6 (Xhaka 6), Coquelin 6.5 –Ramsey 7 (Casorla 7), Iwobi 6 (Chamberlain 7), Sanchez 6 – Walcott 7

Unused subs: Akpom, Gibbs, Ospina, Wilshere

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 7 – Clyne 7, Lovren 7, Klavan 7.5, Moreno 5.5 – Lallana 7 (Origi 6.5), Henderson 7, Wijnaldum 6.5 (Stewart 6) – Mane 7.5, Firmino 6.5, Coutinho 8 (Can 6.5)

Unused subs: Alexander-Arnold, Grujic, Matip, Stewart, Manninger

REFEREE: Michael Oliver

Other results this afternoon

Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester United