Arsene Wenger admits benching Alexis Sanchez against Liverpool was a mistake

Arsenal trailed to goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane at the interval but Sanchez’s introduction saw a much-improved second half from the Gunners and a goal from Danny Welbeck, assisted by the substitute. But it’s clear there were some mitigating circumstances at play in that game and while they may not be in their best patch of form this season, their record against the top sides can not be ignored.

Liverpool got off to the ideal start as they cut Arsenal open in the 9th minute with Sadio Mane’s cross finding Roberto Firmino at the far post and the Brazilian global made no mistake to make it 1-0.

Instead of playing a more direct style, Arsenal continued to play like they have all season, with intricate passing along the ground. Heading to Anfield without Alexis or Mesut Ozil (who missed out due to illness) was an obvious allusion to how the club could look next year.

Arsene Wenger discusses his decision to bench Alexis Sanchez, as well as what Arsenal’s next step is for the season. Wenger is expected to determine his Arsenal future before the end of March.

Wenger could surprise us, granted, but best not to get our hopes up.

“I am strong enough and lucid enough to analyse”.

Arsenal have suffered repetitive problems with their back four over many seasons, and fans have become disillusioned with their lack of bite in the second half of campaigns.

Arsenal has been extremely poor against the Top 6 teams so far this season, having five losses and two draws in seven matches.

Such a win would be Liverpool’s 50th win over the North London side at Anfield – the Scousers have only defeated Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa more.

Third-placed Manchester City, who are a point behind Spurs, should pick up another three points when they travel to bottom side Sunderland also on Sunday. What seems to have resulted is that Liverpool, in contrast to Arsenal, generally do well against the other top sides, but slip up more than they should against, in theory, less challenging opposition.

After 16 days without a game, Liverpool were expected to be champing at the bit when they faced Leicester on Monday night.

“We can not ignore the things that happen around us but I am 100% optimistic again when I think about the Arsenal game – but I can not say I am in exactly the same mood as the start of the season (when they beat the Gunners 4-3 on the opening day)”. “We were not really at the races”, he added. We analyzed it and that wasn’t enjoyable.

“We still have to make the right transfers, but we will have to make transfers of course”, the Liverpool boss said.

Alexis is now the joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League with 17 goals, alongside Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku, and his nine assists are only bettered by Christian Eriksen and Gylfi Sigurdsson – both on 10. “It’s not always going up”. You can focus on what you want, but for every single player it’s the same. Because of injuries they’ve had no consistent center back pairing, and there is always one or two grievous errors in the back line, and usually one from a keeper as well. “We know what we need to work on”. A miracle beyond belief will turn around their 5-1 first leg defeat at the hands of German champions Bayern Munich.