Brendan Rodgers praises Arsenal's class as Arsene Wenger looks to convince doubters on Gunners' title credentials
Brendan Rodgers praises Arsenal's class as Arsene Wenger looks to convince doubters on Gunners' title credentials
"Arsenal are high on confidence. They will be pleased with
the win. The better team won, make no mistake about that," says
Liverpool boss
Contenders: Arsenal deserved their win over Liverpool, reckons Brendan Rodgers
Reuters
The air of scepticism remains even though we are more than a quarter of the way through the season.
In fact, even Arsene Wenger
admitted that it’s been so long since Arsenal won it that he can
understand why people are still dubious as to whether they are genuine title challengers.
It
is almost as if we are waiting for them to slip-up. It’s too early to
judge after just ten games. Pretty football but no staying power. They
have not played anyone decent yet. Those are the accusations.
But there is no doubt in Brendan Rodgers’ mind that Arsenal are the real deal after Wenger’s men passed their Emirates test. Rodgers even confessed that Arsenal provided the acid test for where Liverpool want to be.
Liverpool
boss Rodgers said: “Arsenal are winning the race. These ten games that
we’ve all played. People say that it’s early. You don’t get them back.
You don’t get to play them again!
“You have to make the points. At
the moment, we’re on 20 points and they’re on 25. The great thing is
that there’s still a lot of time to make those points up.
“But at
the moment Arsenal are high on confidence. They will be pleased with the
win. The better team won, make no mistake about that.
“Arsenal have wonderful technicians, good mobility, Ozil is world class, Ramsey has taken his
game to another level, Arteta is a good player, Cazorla joining in,
Rosicky, five players who are top class technicians and we had three in
there.
“They have real good quality and they are at a high level and have been for a number of years.”
It was glowing praise from Rodgers after Liverpool’s early season promise was given a reality check by Arsenal.
Arsenal
had far too much quality in midfield, Liverpool’s defence looked
vulnerable and even their outstanding player, Luis Suarez, could not
find a way through.
But Rodgers believes that one defeat should
not be over analysed and firmly believes Liverpool can last the pace and
stay in the top four. Belief: Wenger insists his players think they can win the title
Reuters
Rodgers added: “The plan is to stay there. We’re trying to
build something here, in terms of our depth of squad and the nature of
our game. Without that major investment, it just takes a bit of time.
“We
are playing catch up. We’ve made a terrific start. But when you lose a
game there will always be an analysis which may be negative but I can
only be positive because they’ve given me everything.
“There’s
other teams, you can look at Chelsea’s squad, Arsenal’s squad - even
with the players who are out - and Manchester City’s. For us to be where
we are shows that we have a fighting chance. After ten games, you can
make a good assessment of where you can go.”
While Liverpool can
take heart, Arsenal can take belief. They are still missing key players -
like Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Flamini and Jack
Wilshere - but put on an impressive display.
Bacary Sagna’s cross led to Santi Cazorla’s opener as the Spaniard fired home a rebound after heading against the post.
But
Aaron Ramsey’s brilliant right foot shot on the half volley eclipsed
that. Liverpool came back well and Suarez almost single handedly fought
in defiance but with no luck.
It was a huge result for Arsenal and
Wenger and while the Gunners boss concedes that he can understand why
some are still sceptical he says the belief is growing in his squad.
Wenger,
who faces a trip to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and then to
Manchester United, next Sunday, said: “We haven’t won the title since
2004 and last year we were not in contention, so I can understand that
(lack of belief) completely.
“It’s down to us to create that
belief for our performances we can only do that. The players believe of
course, every win makes you stronger.
“It’s a big week, it’s very
important that we continue our run and respond well against Dortmund
because everyone will look at that game at how we go there and how we
respond again against Dortmund.”
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