Whether by coincidence or design, the substitution of Aaron Ramsey for Mathieu Flamini after 49 minutes epitomised the pragmatic approach Arsenal adopted in the second half against Liverpool.
In comparison to the first, which included a three-goal burst in the space of eight minutes from Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, it was considerably less eventful. Check out This Is Futbol’s Half-Time Report to re-live the opening 45 minutes in full.
But there was still a lot to be pleased about for Gunners fans. Entering the interval with a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead, Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Anderlecht in the Champions League earlier in the season certainly came to mind.
They were three goals up against the Belgian outfit also, but the naive ambition to score more eventually cost them a European victory. As the North London outfit found their goals with relative ease against the visitors this afternoon, a Groundhog Day scenario certainly wasn’t out of the question – especially considering the Reds had found some luck going forward already, albeit failing to convert.
Instead of searching for four or five however, Arsenal fielded themselves deeper, with their defence and midfield considerably more compact, for the second half.
And although Liverpool eventually broke through by way of a penalty, Bellerin mistiming his challenge on the fleet-of-foot Raheem Sterling, the pragmatic approach was vital to securing a Gunners win that now almost certainly affirms their place in the Champions League next term – for the 18th consecutive season.
The late introduction of Danny Welbeck also had an influence. His pace, power and enthusiasm on the break was enough to lure Emre Can into a rash sliding tackle, resulting in his second yellow card of the afternoon and an early shower.
Then in stoppage time, Olivier Giroud added to Arsenal’s haul, latching onto a perfect pass to jink past two jaded Liverpool defenders before hitting an expertly-angled rocket of a strike past Simon Mignolet. That was the reward for 45 minutes of good organisation and defensive awareness from the north London outfit.
Although the goals – all of a very high standard – will take precedence on Match of the Day this evening, it’s the Gunners’ game management and team-work that’s secured them three points today.