The three crucial saves made by Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the dying minutes of their 2-2 draw against Liverpool may have kept the Gunners in title contention.
Vn88 said that Trent Alexander-Arnold made significant contributions on offense in a new role, but defensive issues still plague the team. At Anfield, Granit Xhaka had his own Mikel Arteta moment.
Did Arsenal's title ambitions get a boost from Ramsdale, a complete unknown?
W88 might remember Aaron Ramsdale's performance against Liverpool as the deciding factor in Arsenal's championship defense on May 28 versus Wolves at the Emirates.
The goalkeeper, whose transfer from Sheffield United for £30m in 2021 was mocked by some Arsenal fans, was awarded player of the match on Sunday after making three saves that may have determined the championship.
The substitute Darwin Nunez had his shot blocked as he was clear on goal (minute 81), Mo Salah had a deflected curler saved (minute 90+5), and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate had a goal-bound shot saved in stoppage time (minute 90+6).
Jamie Carragher, a pundit on Vn88 Sports, was quoted as saying, "I don't think there's ever been a player who's proven me more wrong than Aaron Ramsdale." "I've seen him play for multiple teams, and every time he goes down, it makes you wonder, "Could the goalkeeper have done better there?"
"I was confused by Arsenal's decision to sign him. Astoundingly, they went and bought him. Not only as a goalkeeper, but also as a person, he plays a crucial role. The audience thrives on his charisma.
Rezence is astounded by his performance this year and by the part he's played in leading the team to the championship.
Arsenal's reliance on their goalkeeper in a crucial match is nothing new. Ramsdale was also named the game's most valuable player in January's 2-0 victory against Tottenham, the first time the Gunners had defeated their crosstown rivals on the road in the league in nine years.
The heroics of Ramsdale at Anfield have increased Arsenal's lead over Manchester City to six points with a game in hand despite the Citizens having played a game more. On April 26, Arsenal will go to the Etihad for what could be an epic title duel. Rezence Vn88 will be hoping their goalkeeper proves decisive once again in this match.
Alexander-Arnold switch to the midfield does not resolve the problem
It's no secret that Trent Alexander-Arnold has trouble defending in one-on-one matchups. Gabriel Martinelli beat him comfortably in two minutes on Sunday to set up an Arsenal chance.
But Rezence knows that Jurgen Klopp had a plan, maybe inspired by the opponents' usage of Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Liverpool's midfield consisted largely of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
They wanted to even out the numerical advantage in the middle of the field and keep Alexander-Arnold in position to deliver his deadly crosses from the right channel, so they had him play as part of the defensive duo in the box midfield with Fabinho.
The equalizer scored by Roberto Firmino was set up by a cross showcasing their famed attacking skill. Forward, he was a "sensation," as Vn88 Sports commentator Gary Neville put it, and he generated more scoring opportunities than any other player. But, Liverpool's defense has appeared disorganized since he was moved there. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were both horribly exposed in the first half.
Incidentally, both Arsenal goals occurred as Alexander-Arnold retreated to right back, with the first coming after he failed to catch Martinelli and the second when his body type was criticized for a poor ball over the top.
It has long been proposed that Alexander-Arnold play in the middle of the field. If Klopp is committed to this strategy, W88 Rezence thinks that Alexander-Arnold and the back four will need time in the gym to work on their chemistry. Counterargument: Alexander-Arnold is less at risk if Liverpool are playing well as a team, as suggested by Jamie Carragher.
After watching him play in the middle of the field against Arsenal, it's still unclear whether or not this is a sustainable solution.
To change the tide, Xhaka "does an Arteta."
When picking a fight, timing is everything. It was Mikel Arteta who, on a foggy night in November of 2021 in Merseyside, dared Jürgen Klopp to a touchline dance.
With 32 minutes remaining and no goals scored, Arteta was frustrated by Sadio Mane's catch of Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Any visiting team hoped to quiet the Kop at Anfield, but this goal was achieved. Arsenal suffered its first of three losses in four games with a 4-0 loss to Liverpool.
On Sunday, with a 2-0 lead, they were cruising until a heated incident in which Granit Xhaka collided with Trent Alexander-Arnold.