Arsenal FC began the season with two big tests- Manchester City in the opener, followed by Chelsea. The Gunners failed both of those tests, but they have not lost a game, in any competition since. Last weekend, a draw against Crystal Palace ended their 11 game winning streak, just three shy of the club record.
Heading into the headliner fixture of the Premier League weekend, the Gunners’ hosting of Liverpool, there were plenty of football observers who still didn’t really believe in Arsenal. Although today’s result with Liverpool was a draw and not a win, the north London side did achieve something today- they showed that they belong among the best in the league.
It was a fine, fun to watch match, one that should quiet some of the Arsenal doubters. Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring, with James Milner later equalizing for the visitors and thus salvaging a point for the Reds.
In an ESPN interview, Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno was asked what this result conveyed.
“That we can take on the big ones. That we can dominate the big ones,” he answered.
“I believe we were the better side today and that’s how we must continue. We have difficult matches ahead of us. Wolves next week, probably a whole different match. But you could see that they recognize what we play. Liverpool had a lot of respect. They didn’t dare to go all in on the pressing. I believe this, in any case, must give us courage.”
Arsenal, who have five wins, two draws and two losses in League play, currently sit fifth in the table. They won’t play another traditional big six opponent until December, but they will face a pair of them back to back.
They host Tottenham Hotspur on December 2 and then travel to Manchester United on December 5. Bernd Leno believes that the Gunners belong among the big boys, in another month they will get a couple more chances to prove that he’s right.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.