Top Four is a pipe dream - not just this season but for years to come

Liverpool loss proves Arsenal reaching the top four of the Premier League is a pipe dream - not just this season but for years to come

By Adam Le Roux

There may not have been any fans in the Emirates on Saturday evening, but you could almost hear the sound of thousands of Arsenal fans hopes and expectations being shattered as Liverpool outclassed the Gunners from first whistle to last.

The Reds have been well below-par this year, having dropped dramatically off the pace over the festive period to see them slide down the Premier League table, but they still had more than enough to overcome their opponents with consummate ease.

Two goals from Diogo Jota and another from Mohamed Salah did the job for the visitors, who showed just how clinical they can be on their day, and gave Arsenal fans a harsh reality check of where things stand in the current climate.

Despite not being able to name an experienced Premier League centre back in their squad, the hosts were unable to really test Jurgen Klopp’s side during the 90 minutes, and proved just how far off challenging for a European spot they really are.

Arteta apology says it all

If a manager has to come out and apologise to fans after a game it shows just how bad a team really were, and there is no escaping that nobody in a red and white shirt seemed to turn up in Saturday night’s affair.

Yes, the Gunners were missing a number of players through injury - including Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe - but the starting XI Mikel Arteta put out was more than capable of performing better than they did at home to the champions.

The Reds dominated the ball from first whistle to last, with the Gunners bereft of ideas whenever they managed to scrape some possession of the ball - mustering just two shots on target in the whole game.

Arsenal were so bad that Arteta felt he had to come out and apologise on the players’ behalf in his post-match interview, and for a supposed top four contending manager to have to do that is almost embarrassing.

"We completely deserved to lose the game. They were better in every department and deserved to win the game with the margin they had, or even more. I accept responsibility for the way we played today,” the Spaniard said.

"Liverpool completely deserved to win the game, probably by a bigger margin. We were extremely poor. We apologise.

"I don't have to use any excuses - that we don't have five or six players - the standards are much higher at this football club and I have to get them to perform at that level. It was technical as well.”

With such a disappointing performance against a side who haven’t excelled themselves all too much this year, it proves just how far off Arsenal are from returning to the Champions League qualification spots anytime soon.

Mikel’s half-century celebrations spoiled

Saturday’s clash was Arteta’s 50th competitive match in charge of Arsenal, and although it wasn’t his worst - there are far too many contenders for that particular accolade - it does beg the question how far the Gunners have come since he took over in December 2019.

Victories over Leicester and Tottenham seemed to have papered over the cracks at the Emirates in recent weeks, with a 3-3 draw with West Ham celebrated as if it was a title-winning achievement, when Arsenal sides of old would be lamenting a terrible performance against the Hammers.

Liverpool, like Manchester City before them, are in another time zone when they are on their game, and are what every Premier League side should be aspiring to be like, but for a side who fancy themselves as a European contender Arsenal seem as far off the mark as any side currently in the top half of the division.

All eyes seemed to be firmly on Thursday’s Europa League clash with Slavia Prague, where the Gunners seem to be saving their best football for this season, which in turn showcases the mentality of the club at the moment.

The ability to turn up on the big occasions can be a positive one when used in the right manner, but to be so outclassed by another off-colour Premier League side beforehand is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed.

That lack of character and cutting edge from Arsenal on Saturday sparks memories of sides from two or three years ago that lacked any direction or endeavour to take a game by the scruff of the neck - and a harsh reminder of just where the Gunners stand in the English hierarchy at present.

Tepid turnout could provoke transfer tattle

The defeat against Liverpool was further sign that Arteta’s project at the Emirates is far from complete, with his overhaul of the squad likely to continue in the summer.

The pieces are slowly coming together, but it is on nights like these that you find out who has the mettle to help the Gunners battle at the top end of the Premier League table, and who is just meandering along for the journey.

There were warning signs all over the pitch against the Reds that things need to be shaken up, with the defence continuing to be a shambles, while a lack of creativity going forward is an issue that still doesn’t look to be completely solved.

Most of all, it is the composure on the ball from those playing in red and white - or more the lack of it - with possession being given away time and time against due to errant passes under pressure, which ultimately became Arsenal’s own downfall - not for the first time this season.

On this showing a top-half finish is something that looks to be an achievement, let alone a top four spot, and the Gunners have to be careful that they don’t get sucked into a generation of obscurity, with the cream of the crop likely to look elsewhere to play their football in the future.

Photo Credit: Getty Images