Arsene Wenger will certainly have a lot to think about in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool – including these concerning statistics that suggest the Gunners’ performance at Anfield was one of their weakest in more than a decade.
Arsenal looked to be heading to all three points against 10-man Liverpool on Sunday after Olivier Giroud’s second-half goal took the visitors 2-1 up away from home.
But Martin Skrtel headed in a 97th-minute equaliser from Adam Lallana’s corner kick to salvage a point for Brendan Rodgers’ side, and leave Arsenal four points off fourth-placed West Ham.
Despite being minutes away from winning the fixture – one that the Gunners lost 5-1 last season – stats produced by Opta show that Wenger’s side were perhaps fortunate to have taken a point from the game.
Not only did Arsenal have a possession figure of 36.5% at Anfield – the lowest level they’ve recorded in any Premier League match since August 2003 – but the Gunners also had to deal with the highest number of shots (27) in 11 years from an opposing team.
Although only 10 of those 27 shots by Liverpool were on target, both statistics will probably concern Wenger – with his Arsenal side set to host QPR in their next league game on Boxing Day.
27 – Arsenal today faced more shots than they have in any other Premier League game (Aug 2003-present). Bombarded.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2014
36.5% – Arsenal's possession figure vs Liverpool today was lower than they've recorded in any other PL game between Aug 2003 and now. Chase.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2014
