Of course I was wrong…it was a PRE-diction after all! (Arsenal vs Liverpool thoughts)

Alright, so my 1-0 win at Emirates for Arsenal didn’t pan out as I had guessed. I was wrong, I’ll admit. But, while I’m disappointed in the outcome, I’m reservedly proud of the display. Liverpool (as I said they would) showed their ‘bunker-and-counter’ brand of soccer, and managed to slip one by. Gerrard showed his unquestioned class and produced a dandy of a chance that Dirk Kuyt only had to fall on to put in the back of the net. But Arsenal showed some real attacking football, out-shooting Liverpool 15-4 and forcing Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina into 5 saves to Almunia’s 2. They also maintained 65% of the possession to Liverpool’s 35%.  Fabregas played well, and Adebayor got on the scoreboard, which has been difficult the last few games for him. Positives all. It does leave Arsenal in a decent position going on the road (as I’d mentioned before about the away goal rule), but that assumes they’re going to score at Anfield. Arsenal need to step up and get over the ‘great display, poor result’ that has plagued them the last few seasons. I’m as big a fan of their youth-centric philosophy and tactical focus as anyone, but I really want to see them back it up with some silverware. They’re a quality side whose heads are in the right places. I’ve heard rumors of Wenger going after Kaka, and (much as I want it to be true) I’m a little saddened that it has to come back to the “buy” mentality as to whether they’re a winning side. Even if the rumors aren’t true, even if some wishful fan fabricated them, that mentality is all over world football in general (Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Manchester United, Chelsea, and even Barcelona to a degree). Very few sides really focus on developing talent in-house like Arsenal does. They work with young, promising talent and nurture it in what seems to be an amazing club environment. They’ve even survived the departure of Thierry Henry, although some could argue different given their form as of late. I’m guessing the return leg will still favor Arsenal. I’ll stay with my 2-2 finish, or possibly even upgrade a 3-2 win. 2-2 should put the Gunners through on the away goal rule. They won’t be able to keep Torres quiet at home despite his seemingly innocuous showing at Emirates. He’s way better at Anfield than on the road. He’ll probably get on the board with Gerrard either offering the other or doing the work for someone else as he did today. Arsenal will need Van Persie to find his touch again or Adebayor and Fabregas to play out of their minds. Flamini is still playing consistantly, and I was happy to see Senderos play respectably. Walcott will probably start the next leg, or start this Saturday and have his playing time in the return leg depend on his Saturday form. So much is up in the air, and the tie can still go either way. Liverpool have the upper hand, but I feel the scenario can still favor Arsenal if they step up to the challenge.

~ by cuvintu on April 2, 2008.