Ex-Premier League ace ‘blown away’ after seeing Arsenal do something for the ‘first time’ vs Liverpool

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Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool generated mixed opinions as the Gunners fell behind in the title race.

Mikel Arteta’s side sit five points behind Manchester City and four behind Liverpool after nine games played, which ordinarily, wouldn’t be a cause for concern. 

That is unless the squad is aiming to beat Pep Guardiola’s machine to the title, with City not the type to naively drop points.

Still, there were positives to take from Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool, as the hosts managed to earn a result with a significantly weakened back line. 

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What Arsenal did for the first time against Liverpool

By the end of the contest, Arteta was missing Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba from his defence.

With that in mind, it was a strong point earned by the Gunners, with a lot of the hosts’ hard work completed in the first half.

Speaking about the game on The 2 Robbies podcast, pundit Robbie Earle admitted he was impressed by Arsenal’s ability to rise up to the challenge despite their key absences. 

“I thought [vs Liverpool] was the first time for Arsenal that you could see the work and the development that’s happened at the club over the past two or three years,” Earle said.

“If I had to pick a winner, I would have possibly just gone Liverpool.

“I thought their start [Arsenal], their intensity, their control of the football, their pressuring and winning the ball back was outstanding, I was blown away.”

Arteta’s side certainly impressed Earle, who felt as though the Gunners’ display showcased their progression for the first time, which is an opinion some would disagree with.

Arsenal had the chance to beat Liverpool

For all the praise that Arsenal deserve for their first half performance against Liverpool, there will be some regrets from the hosts. 

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Going ahead twice in the fixture was not enough for the North Londoners to get the win, which should come as a concern to Arteta given where a draw leaves Arsenal in the table.

Still third, the Gunners are well in the title race but, despite it only being early days, playing catch up with Manchester City and Liverpool is a nightmare scenario.

A win would have changed the dynamic but it was not meant to be on the day, with a winning streak required to right Arsenal’s wrongs to remain in conversation for the title.