Post Liverpool Thoughts

SMASH AND GRAB!

Arsenal went to Anfield and came away with three precious points, effectively killing Liverpool's hopes of securing a Champions League berth. Sweet revenge I would say, after the way they cheated us to grab a last minute equalizer with an undeserved penalty, via a Dirk Kuyt dive, last season. Inspired performance by our goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny(who saved a penalty and produced a stunning double save) and clinical finishing by Robin van Persie(who else!?) helped us grab the spoils.

I will be the first to admit we were far from our best. We struggled in our passing play, were insecure in defending and lacked creativity in attack. However, we(or should I say, van Persie) still took the only chances we had and despite Liverpool's shenanigans and the referee's ineptitude, we came away with a vital win.

To say Liverpool played dirty would be a big understatement. Under Kenny Daglish, Liverpool have shown signs of skulduggery and foul play and they were on full display during the game. These are highlighted as follows:

• Luis Suarez, while being a skilful player ( he dribbled through our entire defence, and only Szczesny's outstretched hand saved a certain goal), showed his full range of acting and diving skills. The way he got down theatrically - as if he got shot by a sniper - and clutched his knees while rolling around the pitch to con the referee into giving the penalty was truly pathetic. I have a new suggestion to add to FIFA's LET'S KICK RACISM OUT OF FOOTBALL quote. And that would be 

 LET'S KICK DIVING, CHEATING LUIS SUAREZ OUT OF FOOTBALL. 

• The remaining Liverpool/Loserpool players were not content to let Suarez take all the spotlight as they pushed, pulled, fouled and bad mouthed the referee(who had been biased to them all day) as they went about playing their ugly brand of football. They really are a shameless and a dirty bunch.
• And to top it off, Jordan Henderson's assault on Mikel Arteta left him unconscious on the pitch and he had to be stretchered off in an oxygen mask to be carried out in an ambulance. Thankfully Mikel has since recovered but it does not absolve Henderson of his thuggish act. Once again, the referee turned a blind eye on this.

The only saving grace about Liverpool throughout the game was the way the crowd applauded Arteta as he was carried off the pitch. It was a nice gesture and it showed there is still hope for the Merseysiders. And maybe if they get rid of Daglish, hire a better manager, play less kick and rush football, show some composure in front of goal and concentrate on their own game instead of diving and cheating all the time, they'll probably rise again.

In the end, justice was served as Wojciech Szczesny thwarted all of Liverpool's attempts and Robin van Persie finished his chances with aplomb thus putting a smile on Arsenal fans' faces.