Calls for Wenger’s head as Reds batter Arsenal
LIVERPOOL served up a thrilling display of attacking football to rip apart a woeful Arsenal side 4-0 in the Premier League at Anfield yesterday.
It was a performance which suggests that, regardless of the outcome of Barcelona’s pursuit of Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool have enough firepower to be a threat in the top four this season.
For Arsenal though, shocking defensive play, questionable selection choices from manager Arsene Wenger and a general lack of dynamism, will raise fresh questions over the direction the club is heading in.
After just three games of the season, a section of the Arsenal travelling support were already calling for the removal of Wenger after a performance in which they were clearly second best in all departments.
The Frenchman gave Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez, whose future at the club remains uncertain, his first start of the season but surprisingly left French forward Alexandre Lacazatte on the bench.
The Gunners set up in a defensive formation but that did little to help a defence which was dissected with ease by a fast and precise Liverpool attack.
Indeed, had it not been for good goalkeeping from Cech throughout the game it could have been an even uglier scoreline for Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp’s side went ahead in the 17th minute when full back Joe Gomez floated in a great cross from the right and unmarked Brazilian Roberto Firmino headed home with ease.
Five minutes before the break, Liverpool broke with a flowing, passing move which ended with Sadio Mane cutting in from the left and, with the Gunners’ defence backing off, he drove a low shot into the far corner.
The contest was over in the 57th minute when Mohamed Salah stole the ball from a hesitant Hector Bellerin and burst from deep in his own half before coolly slotting past Arsenal keeper Petr Cech.
The effervescent Salah created the fourth with a cross from the left which was headed home by substitute Daniel Sturridge
to complete a humiliating day for Arsenal and their manager.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Wembley woes continued as they conceded a last-gasp equaliser in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Burnley at their temporary home yesterday.
Dele Alli’s close-range effort shortly after halftime looked to have sealed victory for Tottenham but they were made to pay for not converting enough of their chances.
New signing Chris Wood struck in stoppage time to claim a debut goal and extend Tottenham’s record to two wins in their last 12 games at the national stadium.
Alli capitalised on a slip by Ben Mee in the 49th minute and slotted home for his second goal of the season.
Burnley capitalised on late jitters, though, and Wood finished off a sweeping move with a superb finish into the bottom corner.
Premier League champions Chelsea eased past a disappointing Everton with goals from Spaniards Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata sealing a 2-0 victory.
What looked a tricky fixture on paper against Ronald Koeman’s team turned into a stroll for Antonio Conte’s side who have recovered well from a shock opening-day defeat by Burnley.
Morata’s clever header set up Fabregas to give Chelsea the lead in the 27th minute, the former Arsenal player sliding the ball past keeper Jordan Pickford with a deft finish.
Everton offered very little and Chelsea doubled their advantage five minutes before the break when Morata climbed to head home Cesar Azpilicueta’s inviting cross for his second goal for his new club since signing from Real Madrid.
Meanwhile Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said he would not object to Eden Hazard playing some part in Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers despite voicing his surprise at the injured forward’s call-up this week.
Paris St Germain have agreed to sign striker Kylian Mbappe on-loan from Monaco with a view to a €180 million ($2.8 billion) transfer, French sports paper L’Equipe reported yesterday.
Mbappe, 18, is due to undergo his medical at PSG today, L’Equipe said.
PSG this month signed Brazilian forward Neymar from Barcelona for a world record fee of €222 million. – Reuters