Arsenal’s recent draw against Liverpool has left many fans and pundits questioning when the Gunners will learn from their mistakes. The match started off well for Arsenal, with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scoring two goals within the first 28 minutes. However, an altercation between Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold quickly changed the game’s momentum.
Xhaka left his arm on Alexander-Arnold as he passed the ball back to Alisson, which led to the right-back pushing the Gunners midfielder in retaliation. The two players then came face-to-face, causing tensions to boil over. Anfield woke up after this incident, and Mohamed Salah scored just one minute and 27 seconds later to reduce Arsenal’s lead.
Salah missed a penalty after the break, but Liverpool didn’t miss the opportunity to put a dent in Arsenal’s title push as Roberto Firmino equalised on 87 minutes. If it weren’t for two outstanding stoppage-time saves by Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal, the north Londoners would have left Merseyside empty-handed.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, pundit Jamie Carragher expressed his frustrations with Xhaka for his actions in front of the Anfield crowd when his side were comfortable. Carragher said, “It sounds silly, I’m glad Xhaka did it, but I’m angry with Xhaka. I’m not an Arsenal fan, but if I was an Arsenal fan, what are you doing, doing that? It’s absolutely daft! The game’s in your hands, you get involved, even leaving the challenge, the arm, why do it? And now coming back head to head with Trent riles the crowd up.”
Carragher went on to say that Xhaka’s actions were “absolutely idiotic” and that he had been fantastic this season in a slightly different role higher up the pitch. However, Xhaka’s behaviour during the Liverpool match was reminiscent of his old ways.
This incident bears a resemblance to an incident in last season’s fixture, which saw Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta unleash an incredible and unexpected tirade towards opposite number Jurgen Klopp. At the time, Arsenal were shading things and stifling their title-chasing opponents, but the atmosphere took a turn, and Liverpool went on to win 4-0.
Arteta was blamed for swinging the balance of the game in Liverpool’s favour, and the Spaniard appeared to suggest that the incident with Xhaka and Alexander-Arnold on Sunday contributed to Liverpool’s comeback. He told Sky Sports, “It can happen as well because they scored a goal as well, and it lifted some momentum and it gives them some belief. It is what it is, the lesson is in the first 35-40 minutes.”
Arsenal currently sit six points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand on them. This means that the Gunners will probably be required to avoid defeat when they meet Pep Guardiola’s men on April 26. To do this, Arsenal will need to keep a calm head and learn from their mistakes.