London – Mikel Arteta’s side proved why they are at the top of the Premier League after beating Liverpool 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the first minute and Liverpool caught up despite two equalisers.
– Report: Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool | Premier League table | Upcoming fixtures
The Gunners are one point ahead of Manchester City and 14 ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side, a huge gap for the Reds’ recovery for the remainder of the season.
Despite goals from Darwin Nunes and Firmino, and Klopp’s tactical shifts, it wasn’t enough against a good Arsenal team.
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Quick response:
1. Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on their way to title contenders at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is finding it increasingly difficult to deny Arsenal are in the title race this season. The win over Tottenham last weekend was impressive, but beating a Liverpool side that has achieved so much under Jurgen Klopp feels like the statement victory this squad is waiting for. The voice at the Emirates has never been louder, inspired by the ferocious energy of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the three strikers currently in a devastating situation. state.
Contrasted with another low-key performance from Mohamed Salah, who was always on the outside of the game and Luis Diaz forced off through injury, it was Sadio Mane Another occasion that feels sorely missed. Arsenal benefited from a tempting schedule at the start of the season, but they have built up positive momentum that has helped them clinch a well-deserved victory over two top-four rivals on consecutive weekends. Manchester City are clear favourites to win the title, but Arsenal are fast reaching the point where they could prove to be Guardiola’s main rivals. Special mention goes to Saka, who managed to convert the most important penalty since England missed the Euro 2020 final on penalties.
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2. Watch the gap, Arsenal are 14 points ahead of Liverpool
It’s only October and most teams have only played nine Premier League games. Liverpool have a game in hand. But the huge gap between Arsenal and Liverpool should still be of great concern to Klopp as it is now 14 points.
One sign of Arsenal’s continued threat was 46 touches in Liverpool’s box – more than they had in their first five league games combined (44). Liverpool have only conceded higher numbers once under Klopp: 48 against Manchester City in November 2019.
The unprecedented splitting of the domestic season at the World Cup in two makes the second half even more unpredictable, so the points on the board may now matter more than usual. Liverpool have plenty of time to recover, but Klopp was already pessimistic about his side’s chances of winning the title before the defeat, and they are now 13 points behind Manchester City and even 10 behind third-placed Tottenham. It was Liverpool’s worst start in a decade.
3. System changes won’t stop Liverpool’s defensive mistakes
Jurgen Klopp shrugged off his tried and trusted 4-3-3 for the first time in 79 games against Rangers in mid-week to settle for a 4-2-3-1 Formation to play. They had a win and a clean sheet, but using the same formation in this tougher Test was a big gamble to get his side out of a defensive slumber.
Although they gained some control midway through the first half, Liverpool ended the game with two poor defences in the opening 45 minutes, both of which involved Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose weaknesses have often been exposed this season come out. Liverpool have now conceded their first goal in 10 of their 12 games this season, and Klopp continues to seek some kind of stability.
player rating
arsenal: Ramsdale 7, White 6, Saliba 7, Gabriel 6, Fuan 7, Patty 7, Saka 8, Odegaard 7, Xhaka 6, Martinelli 9, Jesus 8.
submarine: Tierney 6, Nketiah 6, Vieira 6.
Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 5, Matip 6, Van Dijk 6, Zimikas 6, Henderson 5, Thiago 7, Salah 5, Jota 7, Diaz 7, Nuo Ness 7.
submarine: Firmino 7, Gomez 6, Conat 6, Fabinho 6, Elliott 6.
The best and worst performers
Best: Martinelli
Klopp routinely singles out Martinelli as top talent and he was proven right today in a tireless performance that left Liverpool ragged.
sausage: Alexander Arnold
Both Arsenal goals came from his flank, but the second was especially embarrassing from his point of view. An ankle injury triggered his half-court substitution, but it could also be a relief.
Highlights and notable moments
Martinelli opened the scoring in the first minute to give Arsenal the lead at the Emirates.
We need to fix Martin Ødegaard’s passing problem 🤯
1-0 @OfficialAFC_US (G. Martinelli) After a few seconds ⚡
🎥: @NBC Sports Football | #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/rtVs1CJbwb
— American Premier League (@PLinUSA) October 9, 2022
Darwin Nunes scored his second goal of the season, ending a goal drought since August. 6.
Some Goal Instincts from Darwin Nunes!
Liverpool level 💥 #ARSLIV
🎥 @NBC Sports Football pic.twitter.com/cbpICqKv7G
— American Premier League (@PLinUSA) October 9, 2022
Firmino’s goal gave Liverpool another 2-2 equaliser.
Bobby 😎
Liverpool draw again!
🎥 @NBC Sports Football | #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/kPvb2uKL6M
— American Premier League (@PLinUSA) October 9, 2022
Saka gave Arsenal the lead again after scoring from the penalty spot.
Arsenal’s penalty…
Scored by SAKAAAAAAAAA! 🌶
🔴 3-2 ⚪️ (76)
#️⃣ #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/hgX0edFnWE
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 9, 2022
After the game: what the coach and players have to say
Offer to come…
Key Stats (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information)
– Gabriel Martinelli’s goal was Arsenal’s first in the first minute (58 seconds) of a Premier League game since May 2013 (Theo Walcott, 20 seconds) )
– Darwin Nunez has gone 304 minutes without a goal in all competitions for Liverpool (first goal since Game 1 against Fulham on 6 August)
– Bukayo Saka hits three of three in career Premier League penalty shootouts
– This is already the most goals scored in a Liverpool-Arsenal game since October. The two teams drew 5-5 in a legendary Carabao Cup match in 2019
– Gabriel Martinelli is the youngest Arsenal player to score and assist against Liverpool in the Premier League (21 years, 113 days)
– Roberto Firmino: 6 goals in the last 5 PL games. Arsenal are the team he has scored the most goals in his career (10)
Next
arsenal: The Gunners will play Bodo/Glimt next in October. 13th in the Europa League, followed by a visit to Leeds United in the Premier League in October. On the 16th, then at home against PSV in October. 20. Arsenal are off to a good start at home and in Europe and are expected to finish at the top of the Europa League group stage.
Liverpool: The Reds next face Rangers in the Champions League in October. They host in-form Manchester City in the Premier League on October 12 after beating them 2-0 last week. On the 16th, against West Ham United. Liverpool are looking to turn things around after a poor start to the season, and points earned against top teams like Arsenal and Manchester City will be a huge boost.