Arsenal legend Ian Wright has expressed criticism specifically directed at two Arsenal players, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, following the 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Saturday.
Despite Gabriel Magalhaes providing an early lead for Arsenal at Anfield, Mohamed Salah’s equalizer ensured both teams left with a point. Wright highlighted moments involving Zinchenko and Jesus that he deemed problematic during the match.
Wright, speaking on Premier League Productions, emphasized the defensive lapses that led to Salah’s goal. He pointed out the significant space given to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who played a pivotal role in setting up Salah’s goal with a brilliant 60-yard ball. Wright’s critique centered on the need to pressurize Alexander-Arnold, recognizing him as a danger man, and prevent the ball from reaching Salah in the first place.
The former Arsenal striker emphasized the importance of denying Salah time and space, particularly when he’s positioned to cut inside. While acknowledging the difficulty in stopping a player of Salah’s caliber, Wright argued that more effort was required from Zinchenko in that situation. He stressed the significance of closing down Salah and not allowing him an easy path inside.
Wright delved into the nuances of the game, highlighting the margins that managers often refer to when discussing winning matches. In his analysis, he emphasized that preventing key players like Salah and Alexander-Arnold from having ample time on the ball is crucial for success. He contended that the failure to do so ultimately contributed to the draw against Liverpool.
The Arsenal legend underscored the need for defensive awareness, particularly when facing top-caliber opponents. Wright suggested that someone should have been closer to Alexander-Arnold, and once the ball was delivered to Salah, defensive measures should have been taken to prevent him from cutting inside easily.
In Wright’s perspective, the inability to address these defensive challenges resulted in the drawn match. He emphasized that preventing key players from executing their strengths, such as Salah’s cutting inside or Alexander-Arnold’s playmaking, is vital to securing positive outcomes.
Wright’s analysis provides a critical lens on specific defensive aspects that he believes impacted Arsenal’s performance and outcome against Liverpool.
