Arsenal reignited their Premier League title challenge with a brilliant 3-1 victory over current leaders Liverpool at a raucous Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta was dealt a big blow with the news that Gabriel Jesus will miss the action with a knock which isn’t meant to be anything too serious. In the Brazilian’s absence, Kai Havertz started upfront and Jorginho started in the midfield. A move Arteta last did in the last meeting between Arsenal and Liverpool as The Reds beat Arsenal 0-2 at Emirates Stadium. Although what was different was the shape of the team. With Mikel Arteta setting The Gunners up in a more traditional 4-2-3-1 with Jorginho and Declan Rice playing as a double pivot with Martin Odegaard ahead of the duo.
Arsenal were fuelled by an excellent atmosphere in N5 and started well, with a cross from Gabriel Martinelli narrowly missing the head of Bukayo Saka in the opening ten minutes. And soon after that early chance they got the goal they deserved as a fantastic pass from Odegaard set Havertz through on goal, the German saw his effort saved by Alisson but Saka was on hand to calmly take a touch and slot home to give the Gunners the lead.
Arsenal remained in control of the game and playing well. Defending confidently and controlling the midfield action. Odegaard and Gabriel came close, but chances weren’t frequent, the main thing however was that they weren’t allowing Liverpool to have any of their own. However, Liverpool would find an equaliser right at the end of the first half as Luis Diaz got a touch on the ball as William Saliba looked to see the ball out of play, that touch bounced off Gabriel and into the net in what was a real disappointment for Arsenal and not what they deserved for a really strong first half performance.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was forced off at half-time with a slight knock, with Jakub Kiwior replacing the Ukrainian. And it was clear to see that the equaliser from Liverpool had sucked a lot of life out of Arsenal as they were forced onto the back foot for the opening 10-15 minutes of the second period. Although, David Raya remained fairly unchallenged in the Arsenal goal.
And just when it looked like the game was going to go Liverpool’s way, they absolutely shot themselves in the foot as a long ball was played over the top from Gabriel and a mix-up from Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson saw the ball break to Gabriel Martinelli who stroked into an empty net, giving Arsenal a priceless lead with 20 minutes of normal time to play.
Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson entered the action for Martinelli and Saka, as the Gunners looked to see out the win. And they were given a big boost in the final stages of normal time as Ibrahima Konate was punished with a second yellow card for blocking off Havertz. Giving Arsenal and the fans in the stands the belief they needed.
That belief turned into ecstasy as Trossard spun Harvey Elliot near the touchline, the Belgian continued running with the ball into the Liverpool penalty area and struck the ball through the legs of Alisson with the help of a slight defelction off Van Dijk to spark wild scenes at Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta celebrated wildly down the touchline. And a few minutes later, the win was confirmed and The Angel was blasted round the stadium speakers.
The result puts Arsenal right back into the title discussion as they prepare for a London Derby clash away at West Ham in their next Premier League outing.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 7 – Could’ve done better for the equaliser but dealt with everything else well
Ben White: 8 – Started superbly, and even though he picked up a harsh yellow card he continued his strong performance throughout
William Saliba: 7 – Like Raya, wasn’t great for the Liverpool equailser but was good apart from that
Gabriel: 7 – Scored an own goal but that can’t be seen as his fault. Played a number of strong long passes throughout
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7 – Had a strong first half in and out of possession before being forced off at half-time
Declan Rice: 9 – Absolutely outstanding both on and off the ball. Especially at breaking up Liverpool’s play in the midfield
Jorginho: 9 – Like Rice was outstanding and kept Arsenal moving, never giving the ball away. The two holding midfielders for Arsenal were the main stars
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Never stopped running and played an excellent pass through to Havertz for the opening goal
Bukayo Saka; 8 – Scored the opener with some great composure and worked tirelessly before being forced off
Kai Havertz: 7 – Wasn’t too involved in the first half and should’ve scored, but improved in the second with some excellent hold up play
Gabriel Martinelli: 8 – Scored the crucila second goal and caused the Liverpool backline problems all afternoon with his pace
Jakub Kiwior: 7 – Was very solid in defence all 2nd half