Which Arsenal win was better?

[rurikbird]

5:1 in 2014 or 4:0 in 2017? I think there was more excitement 3 years ago as that win came on the back of several other convincing wins against Spurs etc and it was the moment that confirmed LFC as genuine title contenders – this time it's simply too early in the season to build up this kind of excitement. Also it helped that we were 4:0 in the 1st half in that game, so it was more of a memorable 30 minute blitz, rather than a gradual dismembering like this Sunday.

However, I can make a few arguments as to why this win was, in fact, better:

1. Arsenal didn't have a single shot on goal this time
2. We didn't have a luxury of 2 early goals from set pieces (remember, first two goals were by Skrtel), so there was less of an element of luck. On the contrary Cech made an amazing save at 0:0 that could have changed the momentum – but didn't.
3. We did this without one of our two best players
4. Arsenal were shocked and surprised last time, but not seriously damaged; this time, given this happened a few days before the end of transfer window, I recon this could do some real long-term damage if their wavering players jump ship and potential replacements are discouraged. For Arsenal fans, this seems like a moment when the majority lost any remaining faith in Arsene.

Regardless of the question which win was better, it's interesting to think about the similarities as well. Rodgers and Klopp used the exact same tactical idea against Arsenal – sit back, give up territory to stretch the pitch and pick them apart on the ultra-fast counters. It's a damning indictment of Wenger's managerial qualities that he fell into the same trap in the same place yet again. Even our formation was the same, with 4-3-3 "inverted triangle" modified to 4-5-1 without the ball just as effective then as it was now, Suarez playing in place of Salah, Sturridge for Firmino and Sterling for Mane. Wenger had Montreal, Koscielny, Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain in both starting 11s and a similarly undisciplined midfield 2 of Arteta and Wilshere. He never learned his lesson, did he?

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

You're right up there as one of my favorite posters @rurikbird - nice analysis.
This one is my favorite. Just to see Özil and Sanchez so utterly demoralized at the end was hugely satisfying.

 

[Dreambeliever]

2014 and it's not even close for me, but nice post.

 

[jimmy]

2014 for me. More exciting with that blitz and Suárez hitting the post. I actually forgot that Sterling scored two and almost got 2-3 more.
2017 was a great win too. Arsenal were never allowed in it.

 

[peekay]

2014 for me. The first 20 minutes of that game was the best attacking display I have ever seen.

 

[The Nomad]

2014 one for me too. Blew them away in the first twenty minutes. My wife is a gooner, that one meant more. Only Utd had really taken them apart like that before.

This weekend, it was almost an acceptance from gooners that it could happen and does happen with increasing frequency.

 

[Modo]

2014

 

[gkmacca]

2014. That was like watching a boxer at the very moment when he's reeling from the blows. Last Sunday was great though. If you can see videos on the offal site, watch the tunnel cam video of the game - you really see the speed of the attacks as the layers race past the half way line.

 

[Brizzle]

2014 was incredible because it was such a big hit - and it had all teams worried about needing to contain us for the first 20 minutes. This win was epic because all of our players were just absolutely in synch and gave Arsenal absolutely no chance. I think this win suggests that we have a high ceiling, given we looked so well organised from the point of view of not allowing any shots on target, even whilst sitting back.

Bloody love beating Arsenal.

 

[Woland]

2014. Arse were good back then.

 

[gkmacca]

There was an almost palpable, visceral sense of fear about the Arsenal players that day. Real, raw, arse cheek-shaking panic.

 

[Mystic]

2014 was the perfect game of football, just imagine if Suarez's half volley went in?

 

[gkmacca]

2014 was the perfect game of football, just imagine if Suarez's half volley went in?

As usual in those days, we'd sort of blown ourselves out by early in the second half. We're fitter now, we really should be doing that to more teams.

 

[Fabio]

As usual in those days, we'd sort of blown ourselves out by early in the second half. We're fitter now, we really should be doing that to more teams.

We were a tornado back then with Suarez as the eye. The rest of the team couldn't keep up with his energy, which is why we seemed to tire

Nowadays I think we're more sensible with energy use. Unless you're salah who just keeps fucking going

 

[manwithnoname]

2014 was the perfect game of football, just imagine if Suarez's half volley went in?

That was almost more beautiful because it hit the woodwork.

Mesmerising in slow motion

 

[FreshRed]

2014. Arse were good back then.

Exactly. This year a very good win and performance, but Arsenal were crap and they have been so far this season.

In 2014, we made a good team look like crap.

 

[doctor_mac]

There was an almost palpable, visceral sense of fear about the Arsenal players that day. Real, raw, arse cheek-shaking panic.

Whilst on Sunday the apathy to their destruction seemed to be the most evident reaction of the Arsenal players.

 

[Hyena]

[article][/article]

 

[beejay]

This 4-0 is more significant in my opinion because of the timing just before the international break and the end of transfer window.

Look what has happened since.

We are perceived as an exciting team on the up and Arsenal are infighting.

It could have been different with the Coutinho saga eating away at us and you only have to check out the pre match chatter about how average our side is and the anti FSG venom.

Context is key and the demolition of Arsenal on Sunday was a massive turning point for both clubs

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[peekay]

I think in the previous game, the scoreline should have been 7-0 at the end of the game with better finishing.

In 2014, the scoreline should have been 7-0 after 20 minutes with better finishing.

 

[moron]

I don't think you can beat the 5-1, that season was special despite our eventual failure to land the title. It was a great season - and we all felt something ( well some of us with long memories and slighter older) - we had not felt for over 23 years. It really could have happened and the Arsenal game was at the time the biggest indication that it was going to be our year finally.