Anfield season-ticket holder and Well Red Magazine writer MARTIN SMITH delivers his verdict on a fantastic result at the Emirates

For the first time in eleven years, we managed to go to Arsenal and pick up a valuable three points. Back then, a side that featured Meijer and Camara upfront overwhelmed Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira and co, with the latter of our front two getting the winner.

This time, it was two substitutes who spearheaded the second half assault on the Gunners and provided what could be a vital three points in the race for European football come May. Beforehand, all Kopites were confident we could go there and get something.

Arsenal had injuries, suspensions and several players had moved on since we played there last. We now had a bigger squad as well, with Adam, Henderson, Enrique and Downing all starting the game this time around. In fact, as many boldly stated on the Friday, it would’ve be mightily disappointing if we had gone there and not got at least a point.

When the teams were confirmed, there certainly weren’t many surprises. Martin Kelly over John Flanagan was almost a certain one given the problems to Arsenal’s back line. Flanno is a great player and still learning, but Kelly has the edge going forward. Not only is he a great crosser of the ball, but he can’t half put a bit of fizz in a shot, as the one that rattled the post in the second half proved.

The other interesting bit of team news was that Dirk Kuyt started over Luis Suarez, with Kuyt’s pressure on their inexperienced back four the key that could possibly unlock their defence. Suarez looked tired against Sunderland and Kenny got it spot on with the Uruguayan this time around. Bringing on Suarez against their weakened back four when they’ve already been playing for sixty minutes had the potential to cause damage – and it did.

The game started quite lively. In the middle, Arsenal had debutant Emmanuel Frimpong, who looked prone to putting in a tackle during the early parts of the match. There was certainly no surprise when he went off for a horrible tackle on L ucas in the second half. The lad looks talented and could be a good one in future, but that was a reckless foul that probably deserved a red on its own.

Early doors, Arsenal lost Laurent Koscielny to injury and he was replaced by inexperienced centre back Ignasi Miquel. Another advantage to us. As far as chances go, Andy Carroll had a stre tched header that forced a good save out of Szczesny and Henderson provided another headed attempt on target, although it was relatively routine for the Polish stopper. Arsenal continued to push forward, Nasri had a great run that ended with the playmaker firing wide and Frimpong had a decent effort that was pushed behind.

In the second half, I felt we stepped it up a bit more. Henderson looked very comfortable in possession, Adam and Lucas were solid in the middle of the park, Enrique was excellent at left back and Downing looked threatening throughout.

The break throughout finally came in the 78th minute. With Arsenal down to ten men following Frimpong’s sending off, Suarez and Meireles were brought on to find the breakthrough – and they did after just seven minutes. Kelly fed the ball to Suarez, who played a one-two with the Meireles, and as the ball was hooked away by young centre back Miquel, he smacked it against Ramsey and it landed in the net. An own goal, but a goal courtesy of our subs exceptional link up play. The two linked up for the second as well, Lucas burst forward and laid it off to Meireles on the right, who pushed a weighted pass across the box for Suarez to tap in. Two-nil, three points and a fantastic result.

With just two games gone, the season end is still a long way off, but a win against a top six side at their own ground could prove to be a vital one once the final standings are in place. This was a fantastic opportunity to get one over the Gunners because of their injuries and suspensions, but take nothing away from our own performance - this was still an Arsenal team with Arshavin, Walcott, Van Persie, Vermaelen, Sagna and Szczesny.

With four points on the board after two games, I’d say it’s been a fairly satisfying start. The squad still look like they are getting used to playing with each other and several players still look a bit rusty following pre-season, so there is room for improvement.

We look ahead to Exeter and Bolton this week, with a whole new squad likely to be thrown in against the lower league opposition. It could be a great chance for the likes of Cole, Skrtel, Spearing, Shelvey, Maxi Rodriguez and Wilson to push for a place in the first team or put themselves in the shop window. We may also see the likes of Suso, Sterling and Coady in the squad.

Bolton will be a tough test next Saturday as well. Owen Coyle has done a good job there and their results this season have already shown that they have goals in their team. The question is – will Gary Cahill be playing in the white or the red?

Liverpool – Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Kuyt (Meireles, 71’), Carroll (Suarez, 71’) Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Flanagan, Maxi, Skrtel

Attendance – 60,090

Ref – Martin Atkinson

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