Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Liverpool hold Arsenal to end the Gunners hopes of winning the Premier League.
Part Two of the trilogy between Arsenal and Liverpool saw a reshuffle of the squads, with both teams keeping half an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter final 2nd leg.
Both sides opted for the one big man up front, Arsenal with Bendtner, Liverpool with Crouch getting a rare start.
Liverpool started the brighter of the two teams, typically with much going via Crouch and it was Crouch who set Riise up with the first chance on goal, his delicate through ball put Riise in on goal, but he shot over the bar.
Bendtner had Arsenal’s first chance just after half an hour, Walcott running at goal was tackled just outside the box, the ball fell loose and Bendtner ran on to it, he shot on target but the shot lacked power and direction and Reina picked it up with ease.
Towards the end of the first half, Arsenal were enjoying their best period of play, but with Crouch causing trouble up front Liverpool always looked to be a threat. Threat they were four minutes before the break, Benayoun knocked on to Crouch, with five defenders around him he cut inside and hit at goal, the accuracy of the strike was too good for Almunia and Liverpool were ahead.
The second half was lit up ten minutes in, an Arsenal free kick from the left was met when Bendtner got in front of Crouch, two yards out Bendtner’s touch was all that was needed for Arsenal to bring the scores level.
Wenger changed tactics minutes later, taking off full back Justin Hoyte, replacing him with Adebayor to go four four two and more offensive.
Arsenal were attacking and putting Liverpool under pressure, although Voronin could have given Liverpool the lead again10 minutes before time, but his lob over Almunia was off target. Torres had been brought into play by this stage and his clever through ball again found Voronin, but he didn’t make the most of getting behind the Arsenal defence.
Arsenal were throwing everything at Liverpool and but were constantly frustrated by a resolute Liverpool defence.
The game ended like the last two games between the sides, drawing 1-1.
Arsenal looked tired and lack an attacker who can make a goal out of nothing.