Talking Tactics

Arsenal V
Udinese
16TH AUG 2011

Saturday 20th August
Kick off: 12:45
Emirates Stadium

Arsenal
0 – 2
Liverpool

Udinese V
Arsenal
24TH AUG 2011

HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH

Interviews

Programmes & Features

Other Videos

Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.

90

REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and David Hillier will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Full Time IT'S ALL OVER: ARSENAL 0 LIVERPOOL 2
90

PENALTY? RVP is wrestled to the ground as a corner comes across but the ref either doesn't see it or doesn't think it's a foul. Bad decision
90

NO WAY BACK FROM THAT: Meireles on the break for Liverpool, he finds Kelly, on to Adam, back to Meireles and a tap-in for Suarez. Top-class goal and Arsenal are staring defeat in the face
90

GOAL! - Luis Suarez 0 : 2 ARSENAL 0 LIVERPOOL 2
88

Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Lansbury is booked for a foul on Adam
88

YOU HAVE TO FEEL FOR ARSENAL: Shorn of eight players, another sent off and then one of the unluckiest own goals you'll ever see. The performance has been better than the (likely) result, that's for sure
87

MEIRELES SHOOTS: And that skids wide and slightly high too. Decent opportunity as gaps start to appear in the Arsenal back line
86

DOWNING GETS DOWN THE LEFT: But that cross is wildly overhit. Arsenal get it back but don't keep it for long.
85

UNLUCKY BENDTNER: Nasri to Nicklas and he can't quite slide the ball through to Van Persie. Meanwhile Jenkinson takes a clattering on the touchline
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal have used all three subs so Jenkinson has got to stay on.
84

NASRI CHASES DOWN: Great determination from Samir but Liverpool play it around him. In comes the cross and Vermaelen is there yet again to head clear
83

REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and David Hillier will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
81

TIME RUNNING OUT: Bendtner has gone up front alongside Van Persie with Nasri in behind them. But this looks bleak for Arsenal
Top Comments:
- @fudgie8 on Twitter says:
  
  Come on Arsenal! There's still time!
80

Substitution ARSENAL SUB: Bendtner comes on for Walcott
78

HOW UNLUCKY CAN YOU GET? Meireles finds Suarez inside the box, Miquel challenges well but his clearance bounces off Ramsey, over Szczesny and into the net.
78

GOAL! - Aaron Ramsey 0 : 1 ARSENAL 0 LIVERPOOL 1
77

HERE COMES VERMAELEN! Thomas comes striding out of defence and fires in a shot that cannons off the advertising hoardings
76

THE PACE HAS SLOWED: It's up to Liverpool to make the running with their extra man but they haven't done so yet
75

DOWNING WITH THE SHOT: Good power but Szczesny pushes it over the bar. Liverpool corner... brilliantly taken by the keeper. He's having another very good game
73

TACTICS: So Arshavin is sacrificed as Lansbury comes on to fill that Frimpong-shaped hole in midfield. Manny is banned for Old Trafford now, of course, as is Alex Song.
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Liverpool are happy with this result, even though they are down to ten men.
72

Substitution ARSENAL SUB: Off goes Arshavin, on comes Lansbury
71

Substitution LIVERPOOL SUB: Kuyt is replaced by Meireles
71

Substitution LIVERPOOL SUB: Carroll is replaced by Suarez
70

Red Card FRIMPONG IS SENT OFF: That's a second bookable offence and off goes the debutant. It was definitely a yellow and he will rue that silly first-half booking
68

VAN PERSIE! So close to the opening goal. Arshavin robs a defender and squares for the captain to test Reina. The keeper just about smuggles the ball behind for a corner and Liverpool are livid with the ref
68

NASRI TO WALCOTT... the crowd urge him to shoot but he clips a cross towards RVP. It's headed clear, that's a waste
67

WALCOTT RUNS INTO TROUBLE: He's got very little change out of Enrique, a player who was linked with Arsenal of course. He looks very useful
66

VERMAELEN STOPS CARROLL: Thomas has been a rock so far today and he steps in to beat the striker to a through-ball
65

OOPS: Ramsey tries to find Arshavin but only finds the touchline. Bad couple of minutes for him. He grits his teeth, claps his hands and gets back into position
64

GOOD BALL BY FRIMPONG: He finds Nasri who squares it to Ramsey but the Welshman is caught in possession. He needed a call then
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Ramsey has not been as sharp as he usually is. I wonder if Wenger is thinking of making a change?
62

SZCZESNY CLAIMS: Teasing cross from Adam but Wojciech is equal to it. Arsenal break, Walcott crosses and Carragher concedes the throw. That's better
61

CROWD GETTING RESTLESS: Their team lacks penetration and punch and there are plenty of worried faces in the stands. Here come Liverpool again... and Carroll wins a corner
60

REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and David Hillier will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
59

RAMSEY CLEARS... but Arsenal are under pressure here. Carroll just a whisker away from getting his head on a cross.
58

FREE-KICK TO ARSENAL: Frimpong, who's been very steady, gets brought down. Arsenal not offering much in the way of creativity right now though
57

WET WET WET: The rain shows no sign of stopping. The away fans sing for Luis Suarez, who is busy warming up. He's a real threat
56

SUBSTITUTES? Who would you bring on? Who would you take off? Have your say on Twitter at #ArsenalLive
55

KELLY WITH THE SHOT! And that was just inches away. Carroll set up the right back and Szczesny was beaten. The visitors are coming back into it
54

ANOTHER CROSS, ANOTHER CLEARANCE: Arsenal have had no joy in the Liverpool box when they swing the ball in. Often because no one has been in there
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Vermaelen has defended very well today. He has had a lot of physical work to do but he has more that dealt with it all.
53

ARSHAVIN CUTS INSIDE: Quick feet from Andrey but his pass flicks off the boot of a defender and Reina gathers
52

WHO CAN PROVIDE THE SPARK? Will it be Nasri or maybe RVP? They have been quiet since the restart
51

GOOD POSSESSION: Jenkinson keeps the move alive and then finds Arshavin but his dummy does not work and Liverpool clear. That rain still persists
Top Comments:
- @oparsenal on Twitter says:
  
  So far, the story has to be the debutantes and how well they are performing. Especially Frimpong.
49

KEEP-BALL: Arsenal knock it around at the back but there's not much else to report. Lansbury and Bendtner emerge from the bench to warm up alongside Chamakh
48

THEO HAS A RUN: He scuttles down the right but Enrique shepherds him well
47

'ARSENAL, ARSENAL, ARSENAL': The home fans have been noisy today and they get behind their team once more
Top Comments:
- @montychewtoy on Twitter says:
  
  A great British summer in London today! The floodlights are on already!
Kick Off WE'RE UNDERWAY: Arsenal attacking the Clock End goal in the second half
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Strange on that, maybe he was trying to catch Szczesny unawares
45

IT'S RAINING: The summer sunshine has made way for a steady drizzle at the Emirates. Hope they've got the right studs in
45

BACK SPASM: That's the Koscielny diagnosis. Hopefully he'll be fit for Udinese on Wednesday
45

DECENT FIRST HALF: Arsenal lost Koscielny to an early injury but they showed plenty of grit and determination after that and could have led through Nasri. At the other end Szczesny's brilliant save denied Carroll. Keep watching our show for a half-time feature - I'll be back in a bit
Half Time HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0 LIVERPOOL 0
Top Comments:
- @oparsenal on Twitter says:
  
  Miquel is looking very calm and collected. Fair play to him and, it has to be said, to Wenger for believing in him.
45

NASRI GOES FOR GOAL: But he gets underneath that one and Reina is not troubled. Should have hit the target really
45

...DEFLECTED WIDE: Corner to Arsenal as went enter three minutes of stoppage time. No joy from the corner though, it's cleared
45

Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Lucas brings down Frimpong. Arsenal have a free-kick and RVP is looking long and hard at it...
44

INTRICATE: Frimpong, Ramsey and Arshavin link up well but the Russian can't quite control and the ball runs out for a goal kick. Strong end to the half though
43

HALF-CHANCE FOR ARSENAL: Frimpong to Nasri, Nasri to Walcott, Walcott overhits a pass to RVP and he wins a corner... which is cleared
42

RAKING PASS FROM IGNASI: He picked out Walcott with a huge diagonal. Classy.
41

HAVE YOUR SAY: Click on the Twitter button on this page, leave your comment at #ArsenalLive and it might just appear on our text commentary
40

NASRI WORKING HARD: If you thought his mind might be somewhere else, it's clearly not. He's growing into the game - his first of the season, of course
39

OOH, DOWNING! Long-range piledriver from the Liverpool winger. Not a bad effort but wide
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  We can't afford to give Downing space. He is both footed and you can't give him time and space on the ball.
38

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT: Liverpool are going for it, Arsenal always do, and that means we have a very watchable game on our hands
37

TACKLE FROM BEHIND? It seems that Nasri is brought down but the ref waves play on. Hmmm
36

SUPERB RUN FROM NASRI! From his own half to the edge of the Liverpool area and then a low shot which flies a foot wide. Wonderful play
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Samir is giving his all today. He is a footballer and he likes to play football.
- G@reenkeeperJHB on Twitter says:
  
  Nasri still looks like he is committed. A great run and a great effort at goal. He could be the match winner today.
35

HOOF! Vermaelen gets everything behind that one and clears the ball 70 yards up the field. Liverpool on top though
34

VERMAELEN AGAIN: Another good header from Thomas, this time beating Kuyt to the ball. He won umpteen headers already
Top Comments:
- @Luk3_17 on Twitter says:
  
  This Arsenal side is showing some potential. Frimpong has power in his runs while Miquel and Jenkinson are defending well
33

POOR PASS FROM ARSHAVIN: That's too heavy for Sagna and Liverpool get the throw
32

EBB AND FLOW: It's real end-to-end stuff. Liverpool have a corner now and they have looked more dangerous from these... but that one is hacked away
Top Comments:
- @oparsenal on Twitter says:
  
  Arshavin can be brilliant in possession. Bouncing off defenders and running through seams.
30

FREE-KICK TO ARSENAL: Arshavin takes it but it's cleared at the near post. It comes out to Frimpong who hits it well... great save Reina! In comes the corner but that is cleared. The crowd are on their feet though
29

NO ONE THERE AGAIN! Arshavin does well to get the ball across goal but no one gambles and makes the run into the six-yard box. Liverpool break and Adam tries to lob Szczesny from 45 yards... ooh, just over
28

Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Carroll goes in the book for kicking the ball away. Silly boy
27

JENKINSON CROSSES... but there is no one there to meet it. The crowd are not happy about that and rightly so
26

CORNER TO LIVERPOOL: Another chance for Adam... Jenkinson gets up well, then Vermaelen does likewise... horrible miskick from Frimpong and Ignasi spares his blushes. Frantic stuff
24

NASRI INSIDE THE BOX: He finds a yard of space but is closed down very quickly. That's more like it from Arsenal though
23

HENDERSON WITH THE HEADER! But that's straight at Szczesny. Good chance following a good run and cross from Kuyt
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  That is a free header and he should have done a lot better with that. Poor defending from Arsenal, there.
22

LIVERPOOL ON TOP: They have another free kick. Arsenal are starting to get stretched at the back and no wonder with so many key men missing. Adam's delivery only reaches Arshavin and he hacks clear
Top Comments:
- @pmbiyu on Twitter says:
  
  We need to see much more of Walcott
21

THAT WAS WORLD-CLASS: Carroll's header had so much pace on it but Szczesny flew across his goal to palm it to safety. Look out for it when you watch the highlights on Player
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  A brilliant save from Szczesny. That was clever centre forward play from Carroll, who just peeled off Miquel
20

DOWNING WITH THE SHOT: That one is blocked... now Carroll with the header... wonderful save Szczesny!
18

YOUR THOUGHTS? Remember to leave your comments on Twitter at #ArsenalLive - we'll publish a selection of them right here
17

INCREDIBLE: Arsenal have NINE players out injured or suspended - and we're only in August
16

Substitution ARSENAL SUB: Ignasi Miquel makes it a hat-trick of full Premier League debuts, replacing the injured Koscielny
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  It's a great opportunity for him to show what he can do. Against a striker like Andy Carroll, he can really shown what he is about.
- @pugerwiryanto on Twitter says:
  
  I hope Ignasi Miquel show his skill in a big match
14

STOPPAGE: Koscielny needs treatment after that challenge from Carroll. Arsenal really need him to recover but it doesn't look good. Oh dear
13

IRONIC CHEERS: Carroll fouls Koscielny, the ref gives a free kick, Arsenal fans cheer. Just as well - Downing slammed the loose ball into the net there
12

'YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING': That's the chant from the home fans as the ref speaks to Walcott.
11

FOUL ON WALCOTT: But no, Martin Atkinson gives nothing. He's not a popular chap at the moment
10

FINE WORK FROM VERMAELEN: Adam's free kick was excellent but Thomas watched it all the way and heads clear. At the other end Walcott gets down the right and crosses low but Reina claims
Top Comments:
- @BBOWIE on Twitter says:
  
  We need three points today and a positive display of character, determination and unity!
9

GROANS: The linesman flags for a foul by Arshavin. Good chance for Adam to get a good delivery into the box from the right flank
8

Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Frimpong squares up to Henderson and gets booked. Silly really, he will be on a knife-edge now and that's not going to help his game
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Frimpong just needs to settle down a little bit. You don't want a booking that early in the game
- @montychewtoy on Twitter says:
  
  Frimpong has passion but he is not going to stay on if he does not learn how to control it
7

ARSENAL PRESS AGAIN: Van Persie gets another chance to cross and Liverpool concede another corner. Nasri gets warmly applauded as he trots over to take it and Vermaelen heads wide
5

CORNER TO ARSENAL: Van Persie wins possession and races down the right channel. A defender comes across to clear. The skipper takes the corner and Arshavin scuffs a half-chance well off target
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Frimpong gets the crowd on their feet. He didn't back out of that challenge - he is a winner. There is a sense of determination about the Arsenal team today.
5

TACTICS: Sagna has started at left back by the way with Jenkinson on the right. Ooh, ball into the box and Kuyt gets a touch but Szczesny saves low to his right
4

GOOD STUFF ARSENAL: Nasri releases Walcott and his cross is headed behind for a corner. Nothing comes of it though
3

ROTTEN FREE-KICK: Charlie Adam is usually a dab hand from dead balls but he overhits that one
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  He wants to go out and show the fans what he can do. He wants to get involved and win the ball but he needs to calm down
2

WHAT A RUN FROM AGGER: The centre back races through the middle and Frimpong brings him down clumsily. Might have had a yellow there.
Kick Off OFF WE GO: Long ball from Koscielny to start us off and Walcott is penalised for a foul. He is rather stunned by that
Top Comments:
- @dzieve on Twitter says:
  
  All we need to do is hold the defence well and our forwards need to work as a team. I am happy to see Nasri playing
CHANGING ENDS: Liverpool skipper Jamie Carragher wins the toss and opts to attack the Clock End in the first half. So Arsenal will kick off...
HERE THEY COME! Robin van Persie leads Arsenal out for the first time as the official club captain. And there's that 'Premier League handshake music'...
EMIRATES ALMOST FULL: The fans are taking their seats. I wonder how they will react to Nasri. Surely giving Samir stick is counter-productive - we need him at his best today.
SPRINKLER TIME: The groundstaff are giving the pitch a final water before kick-off. 'The Wonder Of You' has just finished and that means we're just minutes away now.
DON'T MISS THE SHOW: It's up and running now with Dan Roebuck and David Hillier bringing you all the build-up and action from the Emirates
SUAREZ SURPRISE: The Uruguayan on the Liverpool bench, no doubt still a bit knackered after his Copa America exploits. Too late to take him out of my Fantasy League side though...
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Technically, if Arsenal keep the ball on the deck, will be able to play around Andy Carroll.
EIGHT PLAYERS MISSING: For the record they are Gervinho, Song (both suspended), Gibbs, Djourou (both hamstring), Rosicky (thigh), Wilshere, Diaby (ankle) and Traore (groin)
WHAT DO YOU RECKON? As ever we'll be publishing some of your comments on this very page so have your say now at #ArsenalLive on Twitter
Top Comments:
- @HarryW950 on Twitter says:
  
  Bearing in mind we are missing a lot of top players, Szczesny is on top form and our defence have proved themselves. We can win today!
TWO DEBUTANTS: Jenkinson and Frimpong make their full Premier League debuts today. Both looked accomplished in midweek against Udinese and it remains to be seen whether Jenkinson continues at left back or switches with Sagna
ON THE BENCH: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ryo, Miquel, Chamakh, Lansbury, Bendtner
THAT ARSENAL TEAM IN FULL: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Ramsey, Nasri, Arshavin, Walcott, Van Persie
Top Comments:
- David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
  
  This is going to be a test for Jenkinson against Downing and it is going to be an interesting battle.
NASRI STARTS! Samir WILL face Liverpool today while Jenkinson comes in for the injured Kieran Gibbs, Emmanuel Frimpong replaces the suspended Alex Song and Andrey Arshavin steps in for Gervinho, who is also banned.
Will Samir Nasri start today? That's been the question on many lips in and around Emirates Stadium. And the answer is...
Former Gunner David Hillier joins Dan Roebuck in the studio and the commentary box today so make sure you login for our Matchday Show - it gets underway 15 minutes before kick-off at 12.30pm (UK time)
Hello everyone and welcome along to Arsenal Player for live coverage of our game against Liverpool. I'm Chris Harris, your text commentator for the day.