In the early hours of this morning, Arsenal challenged Liverpool away in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals, and in the end, the Gunners, who played one less and injured two, showed an iron-blooded defense and finally retreated 0-0. Faced with Liverpool's frantic attack, they did not let the Reds shoot right for the first time until injury time. To a certain extent, it can be said that it was Xhaka's stupid red card that forced out the iron blood of the gunman!
Arsenal have performed well recently and have emerged from the downturn at the start to become an important force in the Premier League's race for four. In addition to their ability to abuse dishes, their performance in strong dialogue is also commendable: victory over West Ham to break the window paper on his knees when he is strong, even if he is killed by Manchester City, it is largely a loss of punishment, but the performance is the better side.
Therefore, against the Reds at Anfield, Arsenal's performance is expected.
Arsenal, who played back and forth with Liverpool, suffered a blow in the 24th minute: In the Liverpool counter-attack, Robertson's long cross from the left side found Jota, and the returning Xhaka used a Huang Feihong-style volley to break the siege and directly kicked Jota down. The referee on duty, Oliver, did not hesitate, directly pulled out a red card, Xhaka's "nest foot", is really a hurtful action, the red card does not complain.
Arteta immediately made adjustments, replacing Nketiah with 531. In the opening Cedric's injury, the Gunners need to pay more running and confrontation to limit the opponent. As a result, Saka retired injured in the 77th minute of the second half after 12 confrontations. Arsenal's effective defence has come at a bit of a cost.
Why is Arsenal's defence effective? Liverpool only had one shot on target in this game, which happened in the 91st minute. Most of their 17 shots on goal were outside the box, which shows that Arsenal did not give their opponents too many opportunities. Even Takumi Minamino lost the opportunity to empty the goal in the final stages of the penalty area.
Since joining Arsenal, Xhaka has received six red cards, the most in the Premier League during the same period. His frequent reddishment and delivery of dots at critical moments has largely undermined the gunner's strategy. Fortunately, in this game, the Gunners united to keep it 0-0.