Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1: 'There's only one Steven Gerrard'

Henry has another attempt

The possibility of all three teams above us slipping up at this stage of the season is remote so nothing less than a series of wins will see us claw our way back to fourth place and the vital Champions League slot. Although our goal difference is vastly superior to the four teams immediately above us it’s the points that will count at the end of the season.

Liverpool are generally a negative side with the best defensive record in the Premiership but their goalscoring rate is unworthy of a top three team. Whereas we know how to score of course but still have immense difficulty breaking down negative sides, so an honest assessment of our prospects this afternoon pointed to a far less exciting goal less draw than our midweek adventure against the Galacticos. A nil-nil looked good odds at 8-1 but when it came right down to it the match turned out to be quite an open and exciting game.

Arsenal’s final season is being played out on an immaculate pitch and it’s great to see just how high the Gunners standards continue to remain with respect to our playing surface. With a pitch in such fine fettle it should have been no surprise to see both teams set off with fast and furious football. What surprised me however was the five-minute wait until the first rendition of ‘One team in Europe’. Hleb to Henry who fired up his turbo down our right flank and set up the perfect chance for Adebayor who seemingly aimed at the sky with his shot. A crap back pass won us a corner. Cesc to Hleb who shot wide. Only 15 minutes in and Freddie, who’d passed a late fitness test, was replaced by Rob.

A good ball in from the left by Warnock caused problems for Jens but at this stage our pressure looked altogether better than their pressure. We were just starting to motor when Cesc hit a mesmeric killer pass inside the full back for Henry to steam onto from the left. His timing, control, acceleration and execution were immaculate as he cut inside and bent a peach of a shot around Reina. 1-0 to the Arsenal so the obvious song rang out. The game continued at a fast pace with some non-stop action, so it must have been an enjoyable game for the neutrals watching on TV.

Henry did a great impersonation of Geordie Armstrong with a great chase to close down a few opponents in one single run. Kolo then stormed forward with a solo but Henry shot wide. Bennett finally granted our fourth handball appeal before Gerrard and Alonso showed some midfield form. In the main however it was Arsenal who were pinging it about to greater effect. Henry was called offside after great work by Adebayor. A worrying free header for Crouch from Finnan’s cross thankfully went harmlessly wide, tall he may be but his headers are usually rubbish. Adebayor to Eboue who went on a blinding run but tried to round the keeper instead of shooting when he had the chance. A long-range snap shot by Alonso went dangerously close to our far post. An overhead shot by Garcia should have been flagged for offside but wasn’t.

Gerrard - Cracking back pass...

The first scrappy patch of the game followed during which what looked to be an awful over the top tackle by Warnock on Toure must have come close to breaking his leg. I’ve seen red cards for far less but there was no card at all. He was down for a long time but as ever Gary Lewin did a top job in getting him back on the pitch after Gilberto had dropped back to centre back in his absence. Warnock then took out Adebayor down our right, but still no card. A long shot from Gerrard whistled past our post. The half closed as Liverpool pushed all the big men forward for a free kick that was hoofed forward from the centre circle. 1-0 half time and a deserved lead for Arsenal, but this game was still wide open.

Kewell replaced Kromkamp after the break. Great stuff from Adebayor and Pires as Henry slipped his shot just past the post in what would have been another trademark goal; most of us would have put our shirt on him to score. Flamini then had a shot that endangered the corner flag after another decent Arsenal build-up. As one who had previously considered Hleb to be a tad lacking in pace it has to be said that he now has the measure of the Premiership and made some storming runs down our right today. Cesc to Henry who was called offside – no way was he offside! Henry got clean through again but it was a very tame shot at the keeper this time.

Cesc to Adebayor who was nearly in. A fantastic turn by Hleb. A good long ball to Henry who was through again. At the other end a seriously crap hoof by Finnan sailed into the back of the Clock End Stand. Arsenal then netted but the offside flag was up and we were well off on this occasion. Eboue wanted a penalty when he went down in their box but a corner was given. Adebayor was replaced by the Iceman and almost immediately Hleb’s run down the right set Dennis up with a great chance that sailed into the North Bank. It was still end to end stuff although we were having the better of the play. Great ball to Hleb but Henry was given offside. Hamann was replaced by Fowler.

A rather obvious foul on Fabregas when he was floored was not given and with Wenger and the crowd ranting at Bennett Liverpool broke away. Gerrard’s shot could only be palmed away by Jens for Garcia to head home against the run of play to make it 1-1. Whether Bennett felt guilty about the missed foul or whether he’s just a crap ref I don’t know but shortly after this he awarded the first yellow card of the game against Alonso for a foul on Cesc. Actually I do know and Bennett is indeed a crap ref. Garcia had a shot stopped by Lehmann. Alonso then very stupidly went in late on Flamini and got a second yellow card. He moaned, the Scousers moaned and then he took about a week to leave the field of play travelling slower than an arthritic snail as he moped off.

... and Thierry makes him pay

It was kitchen sink time but it didn’t take us long to regain the lead. Because on 83 minutes, with it still all to play for, a casual and truly dire back pass from Gerrard gave Henry of all people a glorious chance to clinch the match. He did so with absolute cool by rounding the keeper with ease and slotting home his second of the game. 2-1 to the Arsenal. ‘One Steven Gerrard, there’s only one Steven Gerrard’. A major cock up by the Liverpool captain, but as back passes are so clearly a major part of their make up – well read Thierry and tough titties Pool! Cesc almost broke through again and Gerrard partially redeemed himself with a saving tackle. A diagonal ball from Henry to Dennis, who controlled brilliantly and nearly got Eboue in. Fowler hoofed out before yet another mesmerising Henry solo.

Fabregas, potentially the world’s greatest midfield player, hit yet another killer ball to Henry who squared to Pires whose shot smashed against the post. Could have, should have! Garcia axed Henry who was seriously pissed off by such a snide foul. The yellow card for Garcia was deserved. Cesc bought a free kick around the edge of their box, which Henry took and which Reina saved brilliantly. Henry played out a lot of the time remaining by holding the ball up near their corner flag. Cesc won another free kick, as Liverpool became somewhat dejected and just a little ragged.

We deserved this win but clearly both sides wanted it badly and made a real game of it. So how else can I end this report other than by saying we deserved it, but thanks anyway Steven it was a great ball to Thierry.