Arsenal, like ourselves, have beaten United at home and Chelsea away so they're not exactly mugs. They had to win today to stay in the hunt. Rafa sat in hospital, Masch and Torres were out and we were going into the game after three shaky home games. If a game cried out for a five man midfield with two sitting on one man (Fabregas in this case) it was this one. We attacked them instead and were undone by a big welly down the pitch (it's direct when they do it, a hoof when we do apparently) and a world class finish. I'm very optimistic at the match and told all around me that we'd beat City and Hull at 0-2 while they were calling from medics and sighing that the authorities let people like me out but today I felt sure that the bubble would burst and a certain defeat would ensue. Arsenal are a strange team. When they're a goal up they play beautifully but get in their faces and put them under the tiniest bit of pressure and they fold quicker than John Sargeant, so once Van Persie scored I feared a remake of the 0-3 of 2006.
Liverpool are also a strange team. We have the ability to make hard work of poor sides yet approach a top four team with a buckish spring. Keane, definitely off in January according to the renowned sage and wit 'Lawro', took his goal beautifully and then we had a chance to finish them. We continued after the break with some lovely football. Arsenal pass like we used to and for that period we passed like they used to. It was only when Adebayor was sent off that the game turned. Yes, most of us thought that we would win it then but credit where it's due - Arsenal came out and ran us all over the park. That has nothing to do with us being negative, it's more to do with a top class side pounding the turf with wave after wave of attacks. The fact that we kept them out and still managed some nice stuff shows how we've moved on. Yes, we're still struggling in some areas but Liverpool FC are a very, very good side. Sometimes we're just too close to see that.
I hope Rafa watches that game time and again and has a look at Insua's role. The lad hasn't let us down once yet and should surely be considered first choice. Dossena's absence spoke volumes today. He can't be trusted against pace. If Bernard Mendy can do him then most of the Arsenal team, Almunia included, could strip him too. Maybe there's a lesson learned there.
Oh, one more thing. Ryan Babel. Pass. Move. You'll find their definitions under 'P' and 'M' in the dictionary. Now that you've mastered 'Walking' it's time for your education to continue.
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