Arsenal it must be said; were rather disappointing. Having built a solid identity under Mikel Arteta; they failed to continue their upward trajectory in this match; failing to establish control of the game and unable to fortify their build-up from defence to attack.
As a consequence; their most dangerous player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; hardly had a look-in; with only a late flourish involving Eddie Nketiah the only thing of note; when the match was well & truly over. New signing Willian was also conspicuous by his absence; with his failure to track the surging Andrew Robertson a key consequence for Liverpool's go-ahead goal.
For the defending champions; they exerted their authority exactly where they needed it most; in a clear sign to all would-be challengers that this team is here to stay. The fact that they came back to equalise so soon after going down was a key turning point of this match. Their right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold crossing for their left-back Robertson; who did not mope around after conceding the first; for the second goal was the epitome of the full-back prowess they displayed for so much of last season.
That their new signing Diogo Jota came on and made an instant impact to score was another testament to their strong transfer nous; with the brilliant Portuguese quite simply a fantabulous signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers. They still have Thiago Alcantara to come who did not feature at all in this match.
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