We delivered a display of incredible heart and character to secure a goalless draw in the first leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool despite playing with 10 men for more than 67 minutes at Anfield.
With Granit Xhaka sent off midway through the first half for a tackle on Diogo Jota, we stood firm, dug in and showed a steely resolve to frustrate the home side.
Such a performance delighted Mikel Arteta and his staff, and means it will be winner-takes-all in the second leg at Emirates Stadium next week.
With Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu all ruled out of this match, numbers were tight and we had to name a young bench.
The hosts, who were almost at full strength apart from those away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, made a fast start and Aaron Ramsdale had to be alert to deal with a teasing Andy Robertson cross.
We soon lost Cedric to injury to further disrupt Arteta’s plans, and not long afterwards Roberto Firmino looked certain to score when he met another cross from the left only for Ben White to clear off the line.
We were up against it, and the task suddenly became even greater when Xhaka was sent off for taking out Diogo Jota as the last man in the 23rd minute.
Arteta reacted immediately by taking off Eddie Nketiah and bringing on Rob Holding and switching to a back three in an effort to stifle the home attack, and it had the desired effect for the rest of the first half.
Immediately after the restart, Takumi Minamino came close with a cross that nearly flew into the top corner as the hosts laid siege to our goal.
But for all their dominance, we stood firm – getting men behind the ball, defending as though our lives depended on it and, led by the superb Bukayo Saka, proving a threat on the break.
Anfield was getting increasingly restless as we entered the final 20 minutes, and with Arteta and his staff willing the team on animatedly from the touchline, we were growing in confidence.
We then carved out a big chance as Kieran Tierney rampaged forward, and his cross was touched on by Saka in the area before taking a shot that Alisson saved.
It was tight and tense, but in the last minute Liverpool were presented with a huge chance when Ramsdale’s punch came to Minamino in the box, but with an open goal he flashed his shot over the bar.
Despite some late pressure, we stood firm to hold out for what felt like a huge draw considering the circumstances. What a display of character.
#arsenal #saka #ramsdale
Enjoy match highlights, training and behind the scenes to get closer to the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vivianne Miedema, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette, Leah Williamson, Bernd Leno, Emile Smith Rowe, Nikita Parris, Tobin Heath, Mana Iwabuchi, Jordan Nobbs, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kim Little, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, Beth Mead, Ben White, Thomas Partey and more.
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Camisetas Ligue 1 Un jugador muere por un golpe en un partido de fútbol. EFE. Javier Tebas acompaña la cena de Nochebuena de Cruz Blanca Huesca.
That shouldn’t have been a red card imo.
Am happy for the boys even after Red card they managed to maintain there game,, arsenal is now growing well,, kudos boys
But a week after Ben White is…. (Describe this)
That cross from tierny on 1:18 was masterclass too bad saka didn't score.
I'm no longer waiting for the GRANT LOAN because I earn $29,700 every 10 days recently
I genuinely think that the red card is a bit soft. Sure it's a high foot, but I think Jota buys it.
About today's match who do you think will win or it might be a draw
I liked them all
Ben white can easily take Harry maguire ‘s position for the England team . What a performance from the lad !
Can everyone pray that my aunty finds a husband.
Soy Chileno. Y en Inglaterra soy hincha del Arsenal. Por lo bien que trataron a mi compatriota. Alexis Sánchez. Gracias por tanto. Hermanos Ingleses. Dios Los Bendiga ???????❤️????❤️????⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽
Arsenal need to get rid of xhaka
Just reminder …
arteta isn't success to bring unity into squad, ozil and aubameyang are an example of failure for arteta's leadership, he can't solve the problem, too much ego
Just reminder …
arteta isn't success to bring unity into squad, ozil and aubameyang are an example of failure for arteta's leadership, he can't solve the problem, too much ego
when i was in school my friends lied to me that we were beaten by liverpool 3nil but im happy with the perfomance with the gunners
I think the red card is for denying goal scoring opp and not violence.
Good defense
Minamino is an amateur player. You should get fired.
This is the 2nd game Xhaka has lost for Arsenal. It’s time he is sidelined, not Aubumeyang.
That play from Martinelli at 1:08 <3
This is a Determined display from Arsenal…
When are Arsenal going to fire this liability Xhaka? Sent off in Arsenal-Manchester City 1, gave away the game changing penalty in Arsenal-City 2 and sent off after 24 minutes in this match. Seriously. Sit the guy. What quality does he bring to make up for all this?
“not a lot in the that can’t say that’s a red card” get these biased commentators off, just be honest and accept that xhaka’s made a mistake and it’s a straight red
Absolutely amazing, great performance lads, that felt like a win!!
I advise Mo Salah to move to Manchester United and he will find the appreciation that suits him
Arsenal emang keren.
Walaupun cuma bertahan tapi sesekali menyerang.
Too good performance
Only because mo and mane weren't there
What Xhaka did was right, if he didn't do that, then Diego Jota would definitely score a goal against arsenal.. Xhaka was the hero of the game at the time.
0:0 with LIV and 0:1 to NOT ?
aye my guy saka trying to score when he has the chance
Here we go again, and then red card ?