Gary Neville's tactical analysis of Liverpool vs Arsenal

I don't necessarily agree with everything he says about Flamini.

Well is it that much shocking that our midfield is weak given we have Arteta, Ramsey, Jack and Ozil all out at the same time?

That midfield played fine against Newcastle, though. And I would argue that Liverpool's midfield isn't that much better than Newcastle's.

The gameplan was off, and not for the first time this season. It became clear early in the game that Wenger came at Liverpool with his usual gameplan, but got overwhelmed in pressing. What he should have done at that stage was to adapt to the situation, and start countering.

But to suggest that our midfield wouldn't have been weakened with Flamini and a not fully fit Ox is naive.

I think Neville is spot on. We see this weakness is most games this year not just against Liverpool. Hopefully Jan will bring in a true holding midfielder. If Arsenal can get that CDM I see them making a run to at least 4th.

When the team played with two defensive players in midfield, the attack seemed to bog down, so I don't think they can.

I think it depends on how willing the other midfielders are willing to do the dirty work. Liverpool was able to dominate possession against us because every player contributed to harrassing us when we were on the ball. We played much better when we did the same (see Ramsay against Galatasaray).

It seems to me most of the goals against us have either come on the break or from set pieces; the boss made the point that the team needs be better when pressed, to be able to work their way out of trouble instead of giving the ball away (like the best teams are able to do).

Liverpool was able to dominate possession against us because every player contributed to harrassing us when we were on the ball

Reminds me of how other teams approached us a few years back. Relentless pressing was the only way to play against us and win. This would be true for any team though - if Liverpool applied the same level of pressure in every single game they play, they would easily win the Premier League. Any team could potentially win by applying that type of team pressing.

It's one of the better qualities of Guardiola's approach, he always goes for gung-ho team pressing.

Wenger has always been clueless defensively. Just got lucky he inherited Graham's defence. Wenger is a fraud.

Wenger has always been clueless defensively. Just got lucky he inherited Graham's defence. Wenger is a fraud.

I wouldn't go as far as calling him a fraud, but unfortunately he is rapidly becoming a dinosaur in the world of football. The modern game is not as much about individuals as it was ten years ago. The most successful teams in this era are the ones who adapt a team-centric approach where positioning on and off the ball is key.