Arsenal win against Liverpool critical for both teams
Posted by DavidM in Arsenal, Liverpool | 13 December 2009
While there is still a long way to the end of the season today's result was significant for both teams.
Arsenal needed the win to put them back in touch with the top two. Assuming they win their game in hand, Arsenal will be level on points with Manchester United and 3 points behind Chelsea. Had they lost the game, no doubt the critics would have once again derided Arsenal's youth and inability to finish teams off despite playing beautiful football (though not today).
Liverpool desperately needed the win to get their season back on track. Out of the Champions League and 13 points off top spot, Liverpool are no longer title contenders but alarmingly may struggle to clinch one of the coveted top 4 places.
Today's loss leaves them 5 points off a top-four spot and on the same points - after 16 games - as Birmingham. Liverpool's season can now be considered to be in crisis!
It's not just that their own performances haven't been good enough. The real concern is the quality of the teams that have edged above them. Aston Villa beat Manchester United yesterday after Ferguson himself commented on their great form. Tottenham - despite a surprise defeat to Wolves - have been attractive and effective. Manchester City have stuttered between blandness and brilliance but have an increasingly strong squad that will only get better.
I predicted some time ago that the first impact the new Manchester City would have would be to push Liverpool or Arsenal out of the top 4. That may not quite be true yet, but it looks increasingly likely that Liverpool will be the first casualty of the growing confidence of City. Villa and Spurs.
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