It was a match that had everything on Sunday at the Emirates as Arsenal bolstered their title credentials with a 3-2 victory over Liverpool. A Bukayo Saka brace and a goal and an assist from Gabriel Martinelli were enough to withstand Darwin Nunez's first Liverpool goal since the opening day of the season and a fine goal from Roberto Firmino. Arsenal will spend yet another week atop the Premier League while Liverpool still can't string together back-to-back victories.
Arsenal opened the scoring less than a minute into the match as Liverpool continued their streak of digging themselves into a hole. The Reds have conceded the first goal in 10 of their last 12 Premier League matches, making their defense's job harder each time out. Luis Diaz and Nunez were able to combine to level the scoring in the 34th minute but Jurgen Klopp was forced into an unexpected change when Diaz picked up a knock in the 40th minute. He would be replaced by Firmino with Diogo Jota shifting to the wing.
There was a moment in the first half when the match was 1-1 where Liverpool thought they had a penalty via a handball from Gabriel Magalhaes, but it wasn't given after a VAR review. Jota's cross struck Gabriel's hand that was outstretched but it was judged to have been in a natural position as Gabriel was trying to steady himself. It continues to cloud the interpretation of the handball rule as instead of the calls being down to a ball hitting an arm in an unnatural position, the intent is brought into play.
That handball was a turning point but it wasn't the reason that the Reds lost this match as, before the half, Liverpool conceded at a critical moment. Martinelli beat Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip to cross the ball to Saka from close range, changing the tenor of the half. It was another moment where Liverpool's defense allowed too many free runners into the box and it cost them.
Alexander-Arnold would be withdrawn at the break after picking up a knock earlier in the half but Joe Gomez wouldn't improve Liverpool's defensive fortunes. Firmino's goal in the 53rd minute provided hope but mistakes again ruined the day as Thiago fouled Jesus leading to a penalty being given 15 minutes from time.
Saka wouldn't miss his chance to put Arsenal ahead for good in the 76th minute, delivering with pace from the spot. Liverpool stay stuck in 10th place in the league with the result while Arsenal are now back in first.
"We know in life if two refs think the same that is the truth we have to live with," Klopp said after the match. "If I see the situation back, if there was contact, and I'm not sure there was contact, but there might have been soft contact, the player was again on both feet and then down. That's an indication that something might have been made up. But not for the refs."
Here are some takeaways from the match:
With more minutes this season, Martinelli has become a key to making the Arsenal attack click. With Martin Odegaard making line-splitting passes with ease, Martinelli only needs to pick his runs correctly as he would be found in space. Whether he's taking on a defender or crossing a ball into the box for his teammates, the Brazillian is making all of the right decisions to push Arsenal forward. His goal to start the match set the tone as he took his shot in stride and Arsenal didn't look back.
After debuting for Brazil's national team in March of this year, Martinelli is showing form that will give Tite a tough decision to make regarding who will head to Qatar. Now with four goals and two assists, he could break into a talented Brazil attack to provide a change of pace option off the bench.
Due to his red card suspension for a headbutt a month ago, Liverpool hadn't seen much of their talented striker this season in the Premier League, but his goal was a great bit of team play. Diaz ran outside to take on the Arsenal wide players while Nunez took an inside route to drag Gabriel. He took him into a space that he couldn't protect for Diaz to find him with an easy cross.
It couldn't be replicated as Diaz left the match with an injury but after Nunez admitted that he is having a hard time grasping Klopp's instructions, goals like this one will show that he could find his footing to be a consistent asset for Liverpool very soon.
Klopp said that Alexander-Arnold's withdrawal was due to a twisted ankle. When he played on after already picking up a knock, it may be worth Klopp not risking him in Champions League against Rangers. Gomez can fill in in a pinch but with Andrew Robertson already sidelined, missing both fullbacks would be quite a blow to the team. Diaz was also withdrawn with a knee injury and was reportedly seen leaving the stadium in a knee brace and on crutches after the match. While he was replaced by Firmino, Diaz's ability on the ball is irreplaceable while Mohamed Salah struggles this season.
With four goals and two assists in all competitions, teams have had to respect Diaz's ability on the ball, creating space for other Liverpool attackers and him missing time could cause the team to slide even further down the table. The injury doesn't look good, according to Klopp, but more will be known later in the week. To make matters worse, Artur Melo was added on loan in January from Juventus to improve midfield depth and Klopp has confirmed that he will miss three to four months with an injury of his own. It's getting hard to put a team on the pitch at this rate.
While there were points when the result was in doubt, Arsenal were the only team that deserved the win. From start to finish the Gunners were quicker to make it into tackles, they were crisp with their passing and did more than enough to withstand Liverpool's moments of brilliance during the match. it's yet another week with Arsenal leading the Premier League.
After a penalty was given for Thiago's foul on Gabriel Jesus, Saka drove his penalty home even though Alisson dove the right way. Can Liverpool mount their third comeback?
Salah has been withdrawn for Fabinho and Konate has also come in for Matip. Another disappointing showing for Salah as the team can't get a breakthrough.
But it won't count as Saka had a hand ball in the build up to the chance. He almost went for a full bicycle to deny Odegaard form having a chance at net.
He took an elbow in the build up to an attack but has come back into the match after clearing concussion protocol.
Jota finds Firmino and Liverpool punishes Arsenal's high line. That's Firmino's 10th goal scored against Arsenal.
Arsenal have had two good looks at goal only four minutes into the second half of the match. This game could be out of sight as Liverpool can't keep up.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been withdrawn for Joe Gomez. Alexander-Arnold did pick up a knock in the first half but he also could've been withdrawn for his defensive performances as Liverpool seek balance.
Only three shots in the match but they've all been on target as Gabriel Martinelli is giving Liverpool fits. Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn't been able to contain the Brazillian but he also hasn't gotten help from Matip or the midfield in stopping things. The Liverpool attack were finding their footing but will need to tweak things a bit after Diaz had to be replaced by Firmino. Allowing a goal only seconds before the half Jurgen Klopp will need to refocus his team.
Talk about a halftime boost, in the dying moments of the first half, Martinelli went into another gear before playing a pass to Saka for the goal. Again, Liverpool let three Arsenal attackers run free making it an easy goal instead of getting back in transition.
He's been helping Liverpool torment Arsenal's defense but will be withdrawn for Roberto Firmino five minutes before the half. Quite a blow when things were beginning to look up for the Reds. Jota will now go to the wing while Firmino will play centrally.
It's Darwin as Trent Alexander-Arnold played Diaz into space and Nunez made a smart run to result in an unstoppable goal. It's back level 34 minutes into the match.
Thiago finds Mohamed Salah who threads a through pass to Darwin. He was able to sting Ramsdale's palms on the shot but these are the quick passages of play that Liverpool will need in order to cut through Arsenal's defenses.
After receiving treatment it seems like he will stay on but along with Aaron Ramsdale, this will be something to watch as we're now 25 minutes into the match.
A curious decision made as Jota played a cross that hit Gabriel Magalhaes' hand in the box. Gabriel was judged to be using his hand to balance himself but penalties have usually been given for hands that are away from the body. Arsenal may have gotten away with one.
Again Arsenal were on the break as Ben White got forward and played a pass into the box. Arsenal had three players who could've gotten forward to take the shot as Liverpool are allowing too many free runners in the match. If Klopp can't get a press going, this game could get out of hand quickly.
It looks like he tweaked something on a goal kick. Matt Turner is getting ready but Ramsdale will try to continue in the match.
Liverpool have won a corner kick but they're struggling to contain Arsenal when they're able to go on the break. Luis Diaz has picked up a yellow card for tripping up Martinelli in another dangerous situation.
Gabriel Martinelli has scored less than two minutes into the match. Liverpool were on the move and the Gunners broke with ease splitting Matip and Alexander-Arnold. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check for offsides.
Arsenal's biggest match of the season will begin soon as they'll look to end the weekend in first place in the Premier League.
If you can't keep the opposition from scoring, it's best to outscore them and that's just what Liverpool will do playing a 4-2-3-1 for the second consecutive game. After winning 2-0 over Rangers in Champions League, Diaz, Jota, Salah, and Nunez will all put pressure on the Arsenal defense. While the Gunners will be able to create chances with only Henderson and Thiago in midfield, if Liverpool can keep their energy levels high, this is a team that could overrun Arsenal.
Takahiro Tomiyasu makes his first league start of the season as Oleksandr Zinchenko doesn't make the squad. After starting the season with an injury, Ben White has become the preferred option at right back leaving Tomiyasu to fight for minutes in Europa League. But with an important match, Tomiyasu will switch flanks to steady the defense. Due to usually playing attacking options on the left, it's a side that is usually exploited by Arsenal's opposition so to contain Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tomiyasu will have an important role today.
Arsenal starters: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus
Reserves: Turner, Tierney, Cedric, Holding, Lokonga, Vieira, Marquinhos, Nelson, Nketiah
Liverpool starters: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Henderson, Thiago, Diaz, Salah, Jota, Nunez
Substitutes: Kelleher, Gomez, Fabinho, Konate, Milner, Firmino, Elliott, Carvalho, Phillips
Mikel Arteta's side find themselves locked on the Thursday-Sunday treadmill that is universally loathed by strength and conditioning coaches across the Premier League. But they at least came through their first examination with flying colors, beating Bodo/Glimt 3-0. One might have expected senior players to be held in reserve for the Liverpool game, but the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka all played in the Europa League; the few critics of Arteta that still remain in the Arsenal fanbase will be looking for evidence that he erred in using up some of their fitness reserves
"We have an understanding of what we want to do," said the Arsenal head coach. "But then this is football, and there are so many uncontrollable circumstances that will determine if we go this way, or that way -- we use this player, or that player. It's something that nobody has experienced before, so we are a little blank there. So, we try to prepare, we try to understand how to especially protect the players, for their wellbeing."
