Arsenal continue to focus on silk over steel – and that will stop title returning to north London

Muscled out: Santi Cazorla is barged off the ball

Petr Cech must have been wondering what on earth he has let himself in for.

And at times you watched through your fingers as Liverpool strolled through at will to lay siege to Arsenal's goal.

Arsene Wenger will be unimpressed the Gary Neville’s description of him as “either naive or arrogant” for not complementing his creative players with power.

But his pre-match concerns on the Monday Night Football turned out to be frighteningly accurate as Liverpool, at times, tore the Gunners apart.

Coutinho hit the bar, Christian Benteke had what looked a certain goal saved by Cech and the former Chelsea keeper pulled off a world-class effort to get push another Coutinho effort onto the post.

AFP/GettyArsene Wenger looks onSimilar complaint: Wenger has been labelled truculent

Neville’s damning assessment was that since winning the title over a decade ago, Arsenal have focused on silk rather than steel.

It was hard to disagree as the Reds found the Gunners midfield as difficult to penetrate as a pair of net curtains. How they could do these days with a Petit, a Vieira or a Gilberto Silva. Francis Coquelin is capable and enthusiastic but just not in their class.

Liverpool’s new signing Firmino was starting his first game here since his £29million move from Hoffenheim. On several occasions both he and Coutinho were able to power through to cause problems.

Benteke stalked young Calum Chambers like the Big Bad Wolf hunting Goldilocks. Time and again the Liverpool midfield were able to feed him.

VIEW GALLERY Christian Benteke looks dejected after missing a chance

So far this summer Wenger has passed up the chance to sign France midfielders Geoffrey Kondogbia and Gianielli Imbula who have moved to Inter Milan and Porto respectively.

As Liverpool waltzed through the middle of the park you couldn’t help thinking that their steel would have come in handy here.

Yes, the Gunners had their second-half rally to raise morale here inside the Emirates.

But victory would not have changed Neville’s uncomfortable truth aimed at Wenger. Flair alone will not bring the title back to north London.