ARSENAL earned a heroic 0-0 draw at Anfield despite playing most of their Carabao Cup semi-final with 10 men.
Granit Xhaka let the Gunners down with a ridiculous high challenge on Diogo Jota and was sent off just after 24 minutes.
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However, the north Londoners’ manager Mikel Arteta reacted brilliantly as he switched to a back-five and saw Ben White putting together a stunning performance next to Gabriel Magalhaes.
The tie is now way open as Arsenal are set to host the Reds at the Emirates on Thursday in the return leg.
But who stood out for Arteta’s side? Check out SunSport’s player ratings below:
AARON RAMSDALE – 6
Another composed performance from the Arsenal goalkeeper, who reacted well when required to.
There was only one dismal clearance in the first half that allowed Jordan Henderson to gain possession and get the chance to open the scoring.
(Bad clearance almost led to goal as it hit Henderson)
CEDRIC SOARES – N/A
Cedric Soares barely managed 10 minutes on the pitch until he injured his hip and thus can’t be rated.
4
BEN WHITE – 8
Formed a stunning partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back and his outstanding performance was critical in Arsenal’s clean sheet success.
Ben White continued to work well when Mikel Arteta put him in a back-three, which included Rob Holding, and his positioning as well as alertness didn’t allow him to get a foot wrong.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 7
A rock-solid performance from Gabriel Magalhaes, who gave very little room for Liverpool’s front three to create dangers.
Would have had the same grade as Ben White if it wasn’t for that careless yellow card in the second half, that could come back to haunt him in the return fixture.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 7
Kieran Tierney was solid in regards to his defensive duties and caused trouble down the left flank when he attacked.
Tierney is showing he will play a major role in Arsenal’s ambitious future.
4
ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
Missed a partner in midfield throughout most of the match after Granit Xhaka’s careless red card.
But Albert Sambi Lokonga jelled well with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in midfield and offered tremendous help at the back.
GRANIT XHAKA – 1
Another game another red card for Granit Xhaka. Mikel Arteta was counting on him in midfield considering the lack of options he has after Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ departure as well as Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny playing at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Instead, Xhaka got himself sent off after just 24 minutes with karate-like kick on Diogo Jota.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
He was by far Arsenal’s best player in the first half but slowed down in the second as Mikel Arteta wanted to do some damage control hoping there would be a clean sheet.
The Gunners mostly defended but Bukayo Saka was very dangerous when moving forward.
The winger came off with a knock during the dying minutes of the match.
4
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – 5
Arsenal didn’t get the chance to attack much during the game as they were playing with a man down.
However, Alexandre Lacazette didn’t offer anything special during a rare Gunners attack.
(Horrible long-range shot instead of playing an attack in first half)
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Played in a rather unfamiliar role in midfield as he was required to offer assistance to Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Nevertheless, Gabriel Martinelli carried himself well, especially during Liverpool’s dangerous attacks.
EDDIE NKETIAH – 5
Eddie Nketiah didn’t get to shine in the Carabao Cup this time as he only managed 28 minutes on the pitch.
Nketiah didn’t create any danger to Liverpool’s defence, but was sacrificed because of Granit Xhaka’s dismissal and Mikel Arteta’s decision to change the formation to a 5-3-1 with Alexandre Lacazette leading the line.
4
SUB – CALUM CHAMBERS – 6
Calum Chambers struggled in the first half as he had to fill in for the injured Cedric Soares and Andry Robertson gave him a hard time.
But Chambers pulled it together in the second half and helped Arsenal pick up an important draw ahead of the return fixture at the Emirates.
SUB- ROB HOLDING – 7
Came on to boost Arsenal’s defence after Granit Xhaka’s red card and was part of the visitors’ back five.
A solid performance that helped the Gunners keep Liverpool’s front three quiet.
SUB – NUNO TAVARES – N/A
Came on after 81 minutes and therefore can’t be graded as he didn’t spend much time on the pitch
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