Premier League legend Ian Wright was very impressed with the performance of Rob Holding in holding off Sadio Mane as Arsenal cruised to a 2-1 victory over Liverpool. Wright felt the strong performance of Holding slowed down the Senegalese star from causing further damage after he opened scoring. Mane latched onto a cross from Robertson to get the opener, reacting faster than the defenders.

The goal seemed to jerk the Holding who started paying attention to Mane. Both players regularly clashed shoulder to shoulder and were very wary of the other’s presense throughout the fixture. Wright particularly liked the aggression Holding showed in trying to tame the Reds winger.

Even coach Mikel Arteta praised the push, force of personality, and the confidence the Gunners showed against the newly crowned league champs. Rare errors from defender Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson Becker allowed Arsenal score two crucial goals to take all points from the game.

Kieran Tierney was particularly impressed in his corner, holding off Mo Salah. Emiliano Martinez put in a Man of the Match performance to rob the Reds of opportunities while Alex Lacazette, whom Ian Wright fondly christened ‘Laca Laca’, was particularly sharp in front of goal getting one and assiting the other.

Ian Wright noted that VAR should have come in to send off Trent Alexander-Arnold for his challenge on Bukayo Saka. He says there is no difference compared to the red card Eddie Nketiah received recently. The pundit believes the victory is a morale boosting one ahead of the clash with Manchester City in the semifinal of the FA Cup on Saturday.