Anfield reality for Arsenal, Arteta

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal: Anfield reality for Arsenal, Arteta (Match highlights)

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal: Lift off as Sadio Mane leaps into the air to celebrate
after netting Liverpool's equaliser (Photo credit: premierleague.com)

Reporter: Not many teams get to lead at Anfield, what do you want to see straight after the game?

Arteta: That we don’t concede the kind of goal we conceded,.Van Dijk hit an 80-yard ball to Salah’s chest, this is quality, this is why they paid 80m for him…

 Arsenal lost to Liverpool at Anfield, but the gulf is getting thinner,  unlike before.

Arsenal fans can look up to that as a source of positive vibes after what they have suffered in the hands of Liverpool in recent years.

The line up from Arsenal was shocking, to say the least.

Mikel Arteta went the conservative route, he chose Mohammed Elneny over Ceballos and to the surprise of many, he kept Gabriel on the bench, and handed David Luiz his first start of the season,.

Liverpool had Thiago Alcantara missing but the Kops dominated the opening exchange but the final ball was lacking and Arsenal defended well.

Against the run of play, midway into the first half, Arsenal found themselves on top with a miscued clearance from Robertson landing at the feet of Alexander Lacazette and the forward bundled home from close range.

That didn’t last long, less than three minutes later, Sadio Mane was wheeling away in celebration as he tapped in from close range after Bernd Leno had pushed a Mo Salah effort into his path.

One became two shortly after with Andy Robertson making up for his gaffe for Arsenal’s goal just before the 40th minute.

Clearly unmarked, a Trent Alexander Arnold cross met the Scott and Liverpool took the lead for the first time.

Arsenal were right in the game in the second half, Alexander Lacazette had two clear chances to hand Arsenal the leveler but he fluffed them.

Bringing back the debate of who’s better upfront, Edward Nketiah or the Frenchman? 

Languishing on the flanks isn’t doing any favors to Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who really couldn’t impose himself down the right.

For all their efforts, Arsenal conceded late from debutant, Diogo Jota to end the game 3-1.

Stats show only West Brom have fewer shots than Arsenal this season, doesn’t that worry the manager? 

A need for a creative midfielder is a no-brainer, with Hossem Aouar touted to join.

It’s now or never for the Gunners to get it right and return on track with fierce fixtures in the pipeline. 

Sheffield is next for Arsenal, a team struggling for everything and looking for answers, up against a wounded Arsenal.

It will be fun, but before then, these two go again in a couple of days for a date in the Carabao cup, more of the same, or will Arsenal respond?

Watch the official match highlights below: