Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal faced Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Semi-final tonight and the boys made the fans proud.
They are things that we’ll like to share with you, based on our observations from the Carabao Cup game that take place tonight.
Arsenal played the game with 10 men after Granit Xhaka was shown a red card. The Swiss midfielder made a careless foul on Diogo Jota and the referee sent him off. It’s something that could lead to a bad injury and it’s also a professional last man.
Players Rating
1. Granit Xhaka, Ranking [3]: I will rank Xhaka 3/10 because he made no impact on the game. The only thing he did was the red card he received. The Swiss midfielder came to hurt the Gunners as they played the rest of the minutes without him.
This is the game that Mikel Arteta needed him the most, but he couldn’t help the team. I don’t think that Xhaka could have started the game if Thomas Partey is available for selection. The Arsenal is currently on international duty and he will back next month.
2. Jordan Henderson, Ranking [7]: The Liverpool midfielder gave everything on the pitch tonight, but his team failed to secure the win. Jordan Henderson gave his all against Arsenal.
The English midfielder created 2 lovely chances against Arsenal tonight, but there’s nobody to convert the goal. Jordan Henderson did really well tonight and I would say that he is the man of the match.
Jordan Henderson owned the midfield after Granit Xhaka was sent off in the first half. The England international was running up and down and he never lost possession.
3. Diogo Jota, Ranking [5]: I will rank Diogo Jota 5/10 because Granit Xhaka was sent off through him. He made an impact on the game, but he couldn’t get a goal despite the chances he got. I would say that Diogo Jota is one of the best Liverpool finishers, but he couldn’t show that today.
Liverpool will travel to the Emirate Stadium for the second leg and we’ll see what will happen. The Portuguese forward played his part tonight, but he still need to work hard.
Match Analysis
As well known, Arsenal played the game with only 10 men and they managed to draw the game. The Gunners did the fans proud tonight. Liverpool dominated the game and they played with high intensity, but they couldn’t get a single goal.
It’s a disappointing draw for Liverpool and I would say that they can’t score goals without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Both players are currently on international duty and Liverpool is struggling already.
Liverpool had a lot of chances to score, but they lack a good finisher and that’s what Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane has been doing for the club. Diogo Jota couldn’t get a single goal. Arsenal had to defend until the final whistle.
Liverpool usually struggled against teams with 10 men, same thing happened against Chelsea in the premier league this season. Reece James was sent off in the first half and Liverpool failed to get a single goal.
