Arsenal v. Liverpool 2-1 27/Oct/09

[Photo: Getty Images through Telegraph]



With a rampant display from the Spanish U-20 midfielder Fran Merida, the Gunners rolled over rivals Liverpool to earn a place between the best eight in the Carling Cup. With Spurs match upcoming there was a strong point in setting Nasri fit. The disappointment was the miss of Wilshere due to injury; and also the appearance of Alberto Aquilani, Liverpool's "savour" according to erhm, well, nobody. With this kind of performance it appears that the Gunners, even with such a young squad, are near to what will be required of them in matches of pressure against better teams.




[Photo: Mirror Football]



The rapid start of the match showed attractive displays by both teams: Merida shot at 8th and Degen wide effort in the following minute proved that this match was moving as fast as it could. Nasri dribbles awarded him a freekick, which eventually went deviated. With the assistance of the Frenchman and a mistake by the Ukrainian Voronin, Merida stroke a wonderful shot to the post and then into the net.
But it was not too long for the Liverpudlian response: seven minutes later Insúa found his way through the defensive line of the Londoners to receive, control it with the chest and the punch a marvelous volley past Fabiasnki. Whether the quality of the goal is undeniable, certain amount of blame should be pointed at the Polish. the intensity provided by both sides saw them level in many of the clashes as well as possession. With eight minutes to go, the Gunners, and particularly Nicklas Bendtner, had a chance to grab the lead again after a series of rebounds in Cavallieri's goal.





[Photo: Tony Marshall/Empics Sport through Guardian]



Bendtner, just five few minutes after the whistle, broke into Liverpool's defence to give the Gunners an advantage. After some tangle in the box with Merida, the Dane managed to unravel the mark and stroke a powerful shot. the attack continued with Samir's footwork, which earned Arsenal a counterattack in the 54th. With the game moving as quick as in the first part the Liverpudlians managed to scare their opposition with a Voronin shot.
Reaching the sixtieth minute the momentum faded as both sides calmed a bit. Ramsey was again manipulating all the play as Merida and Nasri managed to create enough damage to the depleted visitors. Yet Liverpool remained calm enough to provoke some pressure after some injury time minutes after the 71st.
At the 77th the expected debut of the ex-Roma midfielder took place, among a cloud of mysticims. with few minutes in the clock, the same Italian provided some passes and even was on the verge of taking an alleged penalty, on the final seconds of the 94th minute.