Still some way to go for Arsenal

Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League since 2004 and that’s not likely to change anytime soon judging by their performances against the big guns. On Friday the Gunners endured a dismal 52-minute spell where they could have easily have been four or five down instead of the two.

The fightback to eventually take the lead was testament to something Arsenal have not usually shown when it matters, and for once they weren’t easy to roll over.

Despite that though you’d have to agree that on the night Arsenal were fortunate to have earned a point against Liverpool. For much of the fixture Liverpool had been brilliant and worked brilliantly off the counter and Arsenal seemingly had no answers. If it hadn’t been for their defensive frailties Arsenal would have been starring in yet another horror show.

Much like in the first game it seemed Wenger didn’t factor in any tactics or Liverpool hitting them where it hurts. Starting Maitland-Niles at left full back against the league’s top scorer in Mo Salah proved to be costly at the beginning.

Arsenal’s lack of a proper defensive midfielder who can protect the back four also was another problem. Granit Xhaka is usually caught wandering far off from his base position which leaves the defence vulnerable. Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are terrific footballers, but neither are the enforcer that Arsenal need to take them back to the top.

Above all else Arsenal still seem to lack the ability to learn from past mistakes, and they were fortunate that Liverpool had an Achilles heel they could exploit because next time they may not be so fortunate.