goodfootballerornot

Arsene Wenger showed he had given up on the title race for a chance at the Champions League by sending out a team with 5 changes, compared to Rafa “The Shuffler” Benitezs less surprising 8. If he had gone with the same squad as Wednesday they should have won here. At home as well they could have put Liverpool to the sword, setting them up just nicely for a tricky second leg away. As it was they did themselves no favours at all.

Liverpool dominated most of the first half and deservedly went ahead thanks to Peter (he who should not be capped) Crouch. Crouch showing hes not that bad a player at times (Still not international quality) with a goal that wasn’t half bad. The later stages of the first and most of the second half was a much more interesting and level game. However, Arsenal failed to achieve the domination they had in the CL first leg, allowing Liverpool much more possession but were much improved compared to the opening 30 minutes or so. They were also surprisingly quiet during the latter stages of a home game, either unable to get the ball or unwilling to expose themselves on the counter too much, which they did anyway. Arsenal might again feel hard done by due to some poor refereeing, but Bendtner did a really poor shot on goal which was easily saved and other chances were squandered. Arsenal did show a real lack of ambition for playing such an important home game, particularly in the latter stages, I would have expected them to have dominated much more towards the end. Liverpool fluffed the best chances of the second half, the worst of them with Torres failing to get a cross across to a totally unmarked Gerrard and Voronin missing two even better ones, including falling over, he looks a bit useless that one.

As for how this affects the CL QF second leg, Liverpool have to feel themselves to be in the better position. I suspect Liverpool will win it after Arsenal failed to capitalise on their domination of the first leg in this game. A much changed Liverpool team held their own away and dominated for much of the first half and were able to threaten throughout the second. Arsenal can of course win it but will need to play a blinder.