Arsenal´s Premier League title hopes took a massive hit on Saturday as the team was crushed 5-1 by Liverpool in embarrassing fashion. In a truly woeful performance, Arsenal allowed the Anfield club to sweep them aside and were even 4-0 down within in the first 20 minutes. While the scoring slowed in the second half it could easily have been seven or eight for the Reds. Arsenal now slips to second in the league after Chelsea defeated Newcastle 3-0 to claim top spot.
While getting any points from Anfield was going to be tough, Arsene Wenger would not have expected his first choice starting 11 to collapse. The game had dangerous echoes of the infamous 8-2 defeat at Manchester United, but at least then the Gunners were seriously weakened. On this occasion the players crumbled in the face of the challenge and the blistering pace of Liverpool´s attack.
However, it was a familiar Arsenal problem that led to the first two goals, with Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel netting twice in the opening stages. Skrtel claimed a Steven Gerrard free kick and later scored from a corner supplied by the ´Pool captain’. The worrying thing from Arsenal´s perspective was that Skrtel was allowed to rise unmarked.
The Gunners were rattled by that early brace and Liverpool´s attacking line up was clearly proving a serious problem for Per Mertesacker. The German is known for his lack of pace and mobility and Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, and Coutinho took full advantage of the space behind the Arsenal defense. Jordan Henderson stole the ball from an idling Mesut Ozil on the halfway line and supplied Suarez on the right wing. The Uruguayan in turn found Sterling at the far post for a tap in and goal number three.
Arsenal´s misery was not complete as Liverpool plundered a fourth within twenty minutes of kick off when Coutinho sent Sturridge through. The England striker slotted easily passed a flailing and out of position Wojciech Szczesny.
Arsenal had been shell shocked and the truth is Liverpool could have scored another three or four before the halftime whistle sounded around Anfield. Arsenal seemed in better shape in the second half but the team was still below championship winning form. Liverpool hit a fifth when Sterling entered the box and was given a second chance to score.
Liverpool continued to dominate for the rest of the match, but the Gunners grabbed a consolation penalty after Gerrard felled Oxlade-Chamberlain in the area. Arteta confidently scored down the middle but the damage had been done and Arsenal had been humiliated.