Gunners falter at Anfield

Slipping out of the top four following a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool was bad enough, but some of the defending at Anfield was simply woeful.

Liverpool took their goals well, but for Mane's for example there were several outfield players in the box and not one of them closed him down. At times we seemed to have lots of defenders packed in the area, but very few were doing their job to the standard required. There was some really amateur defending on show and, whilst I don't want to take anything away from Liverpool who deserved their win, we really didn't help ourselves and were our own undoing.

The players need to take a long hard look at themselves and manager Arsene Wenger is also accountable and questions should be asked as to why the defending was so poor. Also I know Wenger had his reasons for not starting Alexis Sanchez, but for me it is absolutely absurd to have him on the bench especially in a game we knew could be one of our hardest away games. When he came on at half-time he was already making his presence felt within a few minutes and he also had a big hand in our goal. I'm all for trying different tactics and experimenting, but not starting one of your best players in such a big game is absolute madness in my opinion.

We improved in the second half, helped by the added energy of Sanchez, but it just wasn't enough to help us get anything out of the game. It is always a tough place to go and, although the defeat hurts, it is the manner of the defeat that was most disappointing. Had we put in a strong performance for 90 minutes and been unlucky it would have been easier to take, but the performance was simply not good enough.

Liverpool opened the scoring after just nine minutes when Sadio Mane sent in a cross, which Philippe Coutinho missed, but Roberto Firmino was on hand to take a touch a lift the ball into the roof of the net. It was a good finish to be fair to Firmino, but the defending was all over the place.

Arsenal tried to hit back with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain producing a good cross to trouble Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal, but Olivier Giroud couldn't quite get on the end of it.

Liverpool were enjoying the better of the chances in the first half and only a fine save from Petr Cech stopped Coutinho from adding their lead. The Gunners number one produced a great fingertip save to tip the Brazilian's effort over the bar.

The hosts doubled their advantage five minutes before the break. James Milner picked out Firmino, who in turn set up Mane on the right side of the box for the striker to beat Cech with a powerful drilled effort. If you pause the action just before Mane hits his shot you can see seven, yes seven, outfield players in the box yet he still seemed to have all the time in the world to take his shot. Very poor defending and inexcusable!

It could have been worse for Arsenal at half-time had Coutinho not shot straight at Cech when well placed in the box.

Sanchez's introduction injected some much-needed energy into Arsenal and they very nearly pulled a goal back within two minutes of the restart, but Giroud's header was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Mignolet.

Arsenal did finally reduce the deficit after 57 minutes through Danny Welbeck's first Premier League goal of the season. Arsenal produced a great counter attack and Oxlade-Chamberlain picked out Sanchez, who timed his through-ball to perfection for Welbeck to clip a shot over Mignolet and into the net.

With the Gunners improving a comeback seemed possible, but in truth we still didn't trouble Liverpool enough after our goal and it was the hosts who looked more like scoring.

Coutinho shot over before sending in a cross for Joel Matip, but the defender's header was comfortably saved by Cech.

Shkodran Mustafi sent his header over the bar in a rare chance for Arsenal, who only had three shots on target.

Liverpool very nearly made it three when substitute Divock Origi got on the end of Milner's free-kick, but the Belgian's effort bounced back off a post.

There was still time for Arsenal to find an equaliser, but we didn't look like a team desperate to get a second goal. A comeback was doable, but we weren't creating enough and our defence was being opened up far too easily.

Arsenal did have a chance to snatch a point in stoppage time, but instead the chance ended up leading to Liverpool's third goal. Sanchez's fine ball picked out Hector Bellerin and his low pass was collected by Alex Iwobi. Iwobi then teed up Sanchez, who's shot was well blocked by Matip before Liverpool hit Arsenal on the break to score. Adam Lallana did really well to pick out Origi and he set up Georginio Wijnaldum to fire home and seal the points for Liverpool.

OPPOSITION VIEW
Liverpool fan Darren Warburton was happy to see his side get back on track with three points at Anfield.

"Both teams and managers were coming into the game with something to prove after recent criticisms," said Warburton. "It was Liverpool who responded best and in the first half were the better team, bossing all stats.

"It was a great opening goal from Firmino, a lovely move and finish from the Brazilian. A number of chances were missed before Mane capped off another fine bit of play with a composed finish past Cech.

"In the second half Arsenal came back into it with Sanchez giving Arsenal more of an attacking threat, and had a good 10 minute spell, which resulted in a cool Danny Welbeck finish to make it 2-1.

"The game was very open and nervy and Liverpool sealed the victory in the last minute with a quick counter attack and a lovely finish by Gini.

"Liverpool back on track and Arsenal fans will be questioning Wenger again - especially leaving Sanchez out."

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Very poor defending let us down and not only is the title way beyond reach, but finishing in the top four is now under threat. I think we may still be able to sneak into the top four, but it will be difficult and ultimately fourth still isn't good enough.

If we defend like that in our next game against Bayern Munich the aggregate score could get embarrassing.

At 5-1 down from the first leg, the tie is virtually over barring a Champions League miracle, but the way we are playing that seems almost impossible.

We can't approach the game like that though. We have to play as if the tie is still alive. Realistically it isn't, but the manager and the players owe us a performance against a big side to be proud of.

We need to focus on defending strongly and getting an early goal and praying to the footballing gods for a miracle and what will be will be. Champions League exit at the round of 16 yet again looks likely, but I'll still be watching and cheering the players on.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS