Arsenal star who won 13 duels was “monstrous” against Liverpool

Grasp of the darkish arts. That is a phrase thrown Arsenal‘s approach over the season up to now. Extra darkish arts had been actually employed by Mikel Arteta and Co this week.

Will Bukayo Saka be match? Will Jurrien Timber characteristic? The Gunners boss even managed to maintain them away from the Sky cameras throughout a Friday coaching session. There have been worries, understandably so, that neither would make it.

With Riccardo Calafiori additionally not being seen in these photos, it appeared like Arsenal had considerably of an harm disaster.

Properly, Saka and Timber each made the beginning XI for the go to of Liverpool on Sunday and boy did the previous make an impression.

It is difficult to know the way Arsenal will really feel after that one. They drew 2-2, they led twice and will, maybe ought to have taken all three factors. Liverpool, you sense, may be the happier of the 2 sides being the away workforce.

Alas, it was extra dropped factors for the Gunners even when there have been loads of positives to take from the sport, notably Saka’s efficiency.

Arsenal’s greatest performers vs Liverpool

The entire debate pre-game involved Saka’s potential absence. Final weekend in opposition to Bournemouth the 23-year-old was sorely missed as they slipped to a uncommon Premier League defeat in 2024.

As if we wanted any readability, he confirmed simply why he is so necessary with an unbelievable show, notably within the opening half, in opposition to Arne Slot’s males.

Inside simply 9 minutes, the winger had the ball at the back of the online after a sensational piece of play. Stand-in centre-half Ben White – who was glorious rather than the suspended William Saliba – picked up a pleasant help, looping the ball in behind Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.

Saka raced onto it, nutmegged the Scottish defender after which lashed a rasping left-footed effort previous the goalkeeper and into the again of the online. It was unstoppable, it was good.

Saka wasn’t the one key performer, nonetheless. Fellow goalscorer Mikel Merino proved precisely why Arsenal wished to deliver him to the membership this summer time and alongside Declan Rice, they had been marvellous within the centre of the pitch. Between them, they won a whopping ten duels.

Nonetheless, particular reward have to be reserved for makeshift right-back Thomas Partey too.

Thomas Partey’s efficiency in numbers

There have been a number of key battles in the course of the sport on Sunday and one in every of them was all the time going to be Partey in opposition to Luis Diaz.

Arsenal’s quantity 5 was compelled to play at right-back because of mounting points on the again for Arteta and Co.

With Saliba suspended and Calafiori out with harm, it meant regular right-backs White and Jurrien Timber needed to play at centre-back and left-back respectively. So, there was naturally a fear when a central midfielder needed to begin on the correct.

How did Partey do? Properly, within the phrases of Arsenal content material creator Bhavs, he was “monstrous” in defence, maybe surprisingly so too.

The Ghanaian was going to don’t have any issues adapting to the function of an inverted full-back function but it surely was really in defence the place he impressed most.

Liverpool winger Diaz received little change from the previous Atletico Madrid man and was really substituted simply after the hour mark having accomplished simply 9 passes and succeeded with solely one in every of his 4 dribble makes an attempt. That was largely because of the superb Partey.

As you may see, he was notably astute on the again, successful a colossal 13 duels and 5 tackles. He could have ceded possession on 17 events however nonetheless managed to finish the sport with a powerful 87% go accuracy.

Partey did not supply a lot in ahead areas, not registering a key go or having a shot however that was not his obligation in the present day. His obligation was to maintain Diaz quiet and he did an admirable job.

This actually is not a long-term repair but it surely was good to know both approach that the 31-year-old can do a job in that place when required.

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Arsenal tackle Liverpool this weekend within the Premier League.