Having won once in last 20 visits to the Emirates Stadium Liverpool came in as a spirited side handing debuts to Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane along with Ragnar Klavan and played an attacking 4-3-3 on the other hand Arsenal short on first team players went on with Chambers-holding in the defence rather playing much experienced Debuchy. With 31 League titles between them and a history of late deciding matches this fixture promised to be a thriller.
First half was dominated by Arsenal dominating with fluidic play and looking more convincing than Liverpool on the ball who lacked team play and was rarely attacking goal. Arsenal opened their account courtesy Theo Walcott goal just after missing penalty that proved costly for them in the end as they succumbed to a 4-3 defeat again on the opening day of the season.
In the second half Liverpool looked more transpired and played much more as a team banging in 2 goal in no time with Coutinho and Lallana on target. Mane got the third with a brilliant run down around Chambers after finishing magnificently in the top left corner. Arsenal responded with 2 goals looking to salvage a point but fell short.
Player Ratings:
Petr Cech – 6/10
He started off well and looked composed on aerial balls, was seldom tested by the Liverpool attack but was caught by Coutinho’s 28 yard freekick and outdone by some brilliant goals in second half.
Hector Bellerin – 7/10
Did what he does best charging up and down the right flank but was complacent in delivering quality crosses and passes into the box. Defended well at times inside the box and kept Liverpool from piling on more misery.
Rob Holding – 6/10
Was good in air but looked nervous on the ball and lacked co-ordination at times with Elneny and Coquelin, was not moved around much in the first half but found life difficult in the second. Gave away soft freekick which led to the equaliser.
Calum Chambers – 5/10
Played in midfield at occasions last season and is still inexperienced to be a employed at the position he played today, like holding was untested in the first half but made errors frequently thereafter giving away false passes, exploited by mane and firmino in the second half. Got the 3rd goal for the gunners.
Nacho Monreal – 6/10
His counterpart won the battle of the full backs and he had an average game by his standards. Read the game pretty well with his experience but was not clinical in going forward.
Francis Coquelin – 5/10
Was lethargic and did not immerse into the game as he would have liked to. Played the defensive part of his role well by tracking and tackling at certain critical situations, his retrieval of the ball led to the first goal by Walcott.
Mohamed Elneny – 5/10
Last season he did not impressed for what he was brought into this side and many debated that he is settling into this squad and now having quiet few games under his belt he still lacked fluency going forward not giving any real contribution in the game.
Theo Walcott – 6/10
He did well to get the penalty but spurned it firing to the right of Minolet at a saveable height but fortunes changed in 69 seconds with a brilliant finish to get the first goal of the match, caused problems for Liverpool defence at times.
Aaron Ramsey – 6/10
Looked lively in the first opening half hour and much was reliant on him in absence of Mesut Ozil but failed to deliver. Combined well with Sanchez in first half and was subbed off at 61st minute after going down on the pitch.
Alexis Sanchez – 6/10
Was much below the quality he possesses and found it hard to penetrate after getting the ball, started to go wide after the first goal and was usual excellent with his turns.
Alex Iwobi – 6/10
Was missing in the box at times and had a quiet game, was subbed off at 61st minute to make for Chamberlain. Set up the first goal for Theo Walcott.
Substitutes:
Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7/10
He was the only positive thing for the gunners to take, displayed what he can do when he got the second goal for Arsenal and was decisive with his passes and transferred the momentum in favour of the home team after his introduction.
Santi Cazorla – 7/10
Still seeking 100% fitness was injected in the game when Ramsey got injured and created the third goal with his pin point delivery from a free kick. Drifted wide across to open up the Liverpool defence at times and had decent time on the ball.
Granit Xhaka – 5/10
The new signing was on the bench and was introduced into the proceedings in place of Elneny to gain control in the midfield but had a bad game. At times he was following shadows and was late on the ball on number of occasions. Does not influence the game as he would have liked to.
