“Just because of him, I’ll alter my strategy when we play in the second leg. After witnessing his performance live against us, I had to reconsider my dislike for him. – Liverpool Following Liverpool’s tie last week, manager Arne Slot highlights a “outstanding” Arsenal player.
After Liverpool’s draw, Arne Slot highlights a “outstanding” Arsenal player.
Bukayo Saka’s “outstanding” performance during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday was praised by Arne Slot.
Saka twisted Andy Robertson and fired past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after controlling a superb long-range feed from Ben White to give Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
After Virgil van Dijk tied the score for Liverpool in the first half, Mikel Merino gave Arsenal the lead again at halftime.
At the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool improved in the second half and equalized through Mohamed Salah to secure a point.
After the game, Slot acknowledged that Liverpool found it difficult to handle Saka and commended Arsenal for their ability to consistently “surprise” opponents with diverse systems.
Slot told NBC Sports, “I think our intensity was from another level in the second half, but the first half was very difficult for us.”
Are you able to be surprised by them? They can, in fact, play in so many different formations and setups that you’re constantly curious about what they’ll come up with.
I didn’t think we had total control of the first half because they were playing with a false No. 9 and their midfielders were fairly wide.
“We scored a set-piece over here, which made me very happy. The drawback was that we gave up one, but I believe Arsenal deserved to lead 2-1 at halftime.”
Slot responded, “Yeah, the first goal was an example of this where you saw the quality of Saka,” to the suggestion that Arsenal’s wingers had forced both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson back in the first half.
Maybe we should have performed better, but sometimes you have to give respect to the unique wingers who are playing these games. Saka, in particular, had a fantastic game, in my opinion, especially in the first half.
They were by much the superior team in the first half, but I didn’t think they had many other chances, so they ended up trailing 2-1.
“Then, I wouldn’t say it surprised me because I know these players, but it was very pleasing to see us play with such intensity in the second half, and we had one day less to recover than Arsenal after playing an away leg [in the Champions League on Wednesday].”
