Late on Saturday night, a mile from the Emirates Stadium in London, Arsenal fans were painting the town red. After enjoying a straightforward Premier League win over West Ham United, many of those in red-and-white shirts followed routine and flocked to drinking holes along lively Upper Street, Islington, to debrief, refresh and keep an eye on TV screens showing Liverpool at Chelsea.
Arsenal supporters rarely rush to celebrate any Chelsea success, such is the intensity of the rivalry given extra enmity by Ashley Cole’s 2006 defection to Stamford Bridge. Loathing was temporarily set aside with a few whoops of glee as Estêvão’s injury-time goal condemned Liverpool to a second successive Premier League loss.
The champions didn’t look worthy of the name. Liverpool spent £415 million ($557 million) on players (recouping £187 million/$251 million) and looked a lesser side. New signings like Alexander Isak struggled. Old reliables like Mohamed Salah were shadows of their usual commanding selves. Had the team that supposedly “won the transfer window” lost their momentum?
