Arsenal threw their hard-earned lead away just before half-time against Liverpool today in a moment of complete defensive madness.
The Gunners had dominated Liverpool in the opening 45 minutes before a moment of stupidity from their defenders and goalkeeper ensured things were level at half-time.
For Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, it was the ultimate frustration. The moment came as all of David Raya, William Saliba and Gabriel got in a mess.
And watching on for Premier League productions, former PL midfielder Andy Townsend felt that French defender Saliba should have done far better with dealing with the issue.
“Saliba is trying to protect it for the goalkeeper to come and get it. Put your foot through it, he had the chance to kick it away. It hits Gabriel’s hand and goes in. Totally unnecessary, I’m really surprised at Saliba there,” Townsend said.
While there’s an argument for David Raya coming and claiming the ball and taking the pressure off, Townsend is right here in picking out William Saliba.
For someone who is usually so cool and calm and brilliant in everything he does, this was simply an lapse which Arsenal fans aren’t used to seeing.
Saliba simply has to do better and it’s in those moments that league titles can be won and lost, especially in games of this magnitude.
In a half of football that Arsenal had been so dominant in, it was such a huge error from Saliba and the rest to allow Liverpool back into the game with such ease.
Over the course of Mikel Arteta’s time in charge, this sort of error and a lack of ruthlessness at the other end has proven costly for the Gunners.
Saliba and Gabriel, as well as Raya, simply have to be better going forward and there’s no doubt they’ll have been given a dressing down from Arteta at half-time.
