Arsenal unleashed their own Fab Four on Saturday, starting Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan together for the first time. But it was the combination of Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka at the base of midfield that really stood out, anchoring Arsenal’s play and making it difficult for Liverpool to break through them.

Every time Liverpool advanced with the ball, Torreira and Xhaka were there to snuff them out. At one point Xhaka, never known for his speed, kept pace with Mohamed Salah running back and dispossessed him with a perfect slide tackle. It was a moment that summed up the changes Emery has brought to Arsenal, bringing a level of hard work, discipline and physical commitment that sadly faded away under Arsene Wenger.

When Xhaka made that tackle on Salah, Emery celebrated it as if Arsenal had scored a goal. He explained afterwards that every little detail matters in a football match. It was only by being so meticulously detail-oriented – in a way that Wenger was not – that has helped Arsenal to be competitive again.

Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Bernd Leno - 6 Arsenal's German goalkeeper Bernd Leno (L) makes a save against Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Hector Bellerin - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: James Milner of Liverpool battles for possession with Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Shkodran Mustafi - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Sadio Mane of Liverpool battles for possession with Shkodran Mustafi during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Rob Holding - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Rob Holding of Arsenal battles for possession with Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Sead Kolasinac - 6 Arsenal's German-born Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac (L) heads the ball as Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold watches during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Granit Xhaka - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUDNAY OUT) Roberto Firmino of Liverpool with Granit Xhaka of Arsenal fc during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Lucas Torreira - 7 Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) vies with Arsenal's Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 5 TOPSHOT - Arsenal's Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (R) heads wide as Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker comes out to challenge during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Mesut Ozil - 5 Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil (L) vies with Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6 Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (R) vies with Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Alexander Lacazette - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Alisson - 6 Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette (R) vies with Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6 Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (R) vies with Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Joe Gomez - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUDNAY OUT) Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Virgil Van Dijk - 8 Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette (L) vies with Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Andy Robertson - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Andy Robertson of Liverpool battles for possession with Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Fabinho - 5 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Fabinho of Liverpool battles for possession with Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Georginio Wijnaldum - 6 Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (L) celebrates with Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner (R) after scoring their second goal during the pre-season friendly football match between Liverpool and Napoli at the Aviva Stadimum in Dublin on August 4, 2018. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings James Milner - 8 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: James Milner of Liverpool battles for possession with Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Sadio Mane - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Sadio Mane of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on November 3, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Mohamed Salah - 6 Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) vies with Arsenal's Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings Roberto Firmino - 6 Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (C) sees this shot hit the post and then Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (R) puts it in the net only for the assistant referee to flag, reportedly wrongly, for offside during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images

“The football is 90 minutes, there are a lot of things that happen and when you score it’s the best, and most important moment in the game,” Emery said. “But I also enjoy the small details, individual actions defensively, and offensively.”

It was unusual to see Arsenal playing such a physically intense game but Emery was proud of how his players are starting to take his messages on board. They would never have played with that intensity in the past, and that is a tribute to the changes he has made in his five months in charge. “We are getting the balance in our intensity, like you need against Liverpool,” he said. “It is improving. I want to give the players this idea also, little by little. Today it was clear: we needed to push a lot. I think the players gave their all in their performance, and their desire. Today, for example, a lot of players finished very tired, because the match was very demanding.”

On an individual level Xhaka is looking better than he ever did under Wenger, and there was a stark contrast with how lost he looked playing against Liverpool last season. Emery was impressed with his improvement. “With Xhaka I am happy, because first he’s a very good player, and he has a very good commitment for us,” Emery said. “He wants to improve, and I think he can improve. We want to continue with him to give him the time to improve.”

Granit Xhaka is enjoying his best form for Arsenal (Getty)