Arne Slot admits Arsenal ‘completely dominated’ Liverpool in one area that will please Mikel Arteta
arsenalinsider.comAug 1, 2024 10:40 AM
Liverpool’s Dutch manager Arne Slot gestures during the pre-season club friendly football match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Lincoln Fina…
Arsenal fell to a narrow defeat to Liverpool in their final friendly of their USA tour, but there were positives to take.
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho gave Liverpool the lead but Kai Havertz responded before half-time, but Arsenal could not find an equaliser.
Arsenal did have chances, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli finding themselves in good shooting positions, and Mikel Arteta called on his team to be more ruthless in the final third.
The game saw Arsenal face a new-look Liverpool side as Arne Slot begins his reign as manager, after long-serving coach Jurgen Klopp stepped down at the end of last season, and Theo Walcott recently warned of the difficulties he may face when replacing such a renowned figure.
Their stylistic differences were already on display, as short-passing in their third led to their opening goal, a far cry from the more direct football employed by Klopp, but the Dutchman praised Arsenal following the game.
Arne Slot highlights Arsenal quality in possession after Liverpool pre-season defeat
Speaking after the game, the Liverpool manager admitted that Arsenal dominated possession and made it tough for his side, especially in the second half.
“I saw in the second half that we had a hard time with Arsenal. They dominated possession completely, but we defended really well and I was really pleased to see this, because there were a lot of bodies behind the ball every time they arrived into our 16,” he stated.
“Open, real big open chances – I don’t think they created in the second half, first half after the first 10 minutes was an equal game where both teams could have scored a few goals more, so I’m pleased to see how we played the first half and how we defended the second half.”
Positives for Mikel Arteta after Arsenal friendly loss
Arsenal dominated possession and had more shots overall, but could not convert their chances.
When it comes to pre-season games, marginal results such as a 2-1 defeat may not be seen as a disaster by managers if there are positives to take.
Arteta will be annoyed by some of the defending in transitions on display by his team, but there were positives in the performance, especially in build-up play in the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and expected arrival Mikel Merino are still yet to be added to this team, alongside key players in William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, and the key takeaway from the game is that the Arsenal players gained further match sharpness and asserted their dominance in possession against a top team.
Peoplesmind
