Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge is on its toes. Mikel Arteta and his players knew this was a must-win show and they would find a way to prevail, move into second place and cut Liverpool’s lead at the top to a few points. Manchester City, which will play at Brentford on Monday night, is very close to the top. We have the possibility of a triple penalty shootout for the cup.
Arsenal deserved to win with a crazy balance of play as they kept the first half under control. But how they distinguished themselves was – definitely – a surprise. But it was still the kind of crazy afternoon that would exhaust executives.
Relating to: Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool: Premier League – live reaction
We have already seen William Saliba, one of the league’s most reliable centre-halfs, get into a terrible falling out with his goalkeeper David Raya and Liverpool’s equalizing goal was forced into Gabriel Magalhäes’ own goal by Luis Díaz. But now we were playing out the same scenario on the other side to dispel the feeling that Liverpool were gaining ground.
Midway through the second half, it was Virgil van Dijk who threw a fit alongside his goalkeeper Alisson, trying to tackle a high ball forward under pressure from Gabriel Martinelli and watching him completely miss his shot. Martinelli rolled into the empty goal and Arsenal were on their way.
Liverpool had not missed a single kick since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield on December 23 and were outstanding on all four fronts. But their second defeat of the league season was confirmed when Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard charged in to embarrass Alisson in injury time. Trossard’s low shot bounced slightly off Van Dijk before passing through Alisson’s legs.
By then Liverpool were down to 10 men and Ibrahima Konaté received a second yellow card in the 88th minute for checking on Kai Havertz. Jurgen Klopp threw everything he had at Arsenal. There was nothing left anymore.
The biggest game of the season required no preparation, yet it was all the same, and before kick-off there was a reminder of what it was all about: a replica of the Premier League trophy, adorned in sky blue and white ribbons, next to the home broadcaster’s desk, on the side of the pitch.
The danger was greater for Arsenal, who had won only two of their previous 17 league matches against Liverpool and had to cope with the loss of Gabriel Jesus, who suffered a knee injury at the worst possible moment. Klopp could only name Darwin Núñez among the substitutes and Dominik Szoboszlai was injured again. Conor Bradley did not travel on Saturday following the devastation of his father’s death.
Arsenal initially brought the intensity and the home support responded; Emirates was jumping. Arteta had clearly demanded a fast start and there was a moment seven minutes later with an almost maniacal sense of purpose when Arsenal took the ball for a throw-in.
Numerous Arsenal players were seen pumping up the crowd, including after the advertised breakthrough goal. After his throw to the rail, Martinelli turned on the afterburners to move away from Konaté before passing to Bukayo Saka, who timed his run. Saka’s head connection was not correct.
Arteta had started Havertz up front, with Martin Ødegaard at number 10, and it was Martin Ødegaard who sparked the move for the opening goal. The Arsenal captain sniffed the space between the lines and played a wonderful pass that released Havertz for the first time, who was one-on-one with Alisson. He had to score but Alisson blocked it. Unfortunately for the Liverpool goalkeeper, the rebound fell well for Saka, who struck his 11th shot.This goal of the season.
Arsenal ended the first half ahead. They won physical duels – there were times when Declan Rice felt like he was all over the place – and there were plenty of examples of their personalities showing on the ball, particularly Ben White. Ødegaard was blocked by Van Dijk after Liverpool was robbed while trying to play on; Gabriel and Martinelli also had half chances.
This Liverpool team is rarely shaken. They did almost nothing offensively in the first half, but they always gave the impression that they knew their moment was coming.
The same thing happened at halftime. For Arsenal, the concession was a disaster; Saliba was trying to direct Ryan Gravenberch’s ball over the top towards Raya. Díaz nipped and moved in to force Gabriel, where he hit his hand. The disconnect between Saliba and Raya was complete. Saliba needed to take more control of the situation.
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Liverpool were energetic at the start of the second half. If faith had never abandoned them, it was now pumping. The Emirates became an angrier place when Curtis Jones shaped a curler just wide of the far post. Ødegaard for Arsenal saw the shot deflect wide of the goal. Klopp made a move before the hour mark to put Núñez ahead; Harvey Elliott in right midfield; Andy Robertson is a left-back. Díaz fired a shot close to Raya.
But Arsenal’s resolve plummeted deeper. They desperately needed something and they got it with a goal from Martinelli after Havertz had screamed for a penalty in vain after a fight with Alexis Mac Allister.
The closing stages were chaotic. Mac Allister shot inches out after a corner, while Arsenal substitute Jakub Kiwior headed towards Alisson when he should have scored. Klopp moved Díaz to right-back, splitting the gap with Diogo Jota and Núñez as double strikers. Arsenal stood tall.