Bukayo Saka’s penalty set up a thriller and sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League with victory over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal made the perfect start when Gabriel Martinelli put them ahead after 58 seconds but Liverpool responded well and striker Darwin Nunes equalized when he slotted home Luis Diaz’s cross after 34 minutes.
Saka restored Arsenal’s lead in first-half added time when Martinelli equalized on the counter-attack only for Liverpool to level again after injured Diaz substitute Roberto Firmino fired past keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Liverpool, who felt they were denied a penalty when defender Gabriel handled in the first half, felt further injustice when Thiago Alcantara was penalized for a challenge on Gabriel Jesus with 14 minutes remaining. , Saka coolly changed from the spot.
Arsenal’s biggest statement
Arsenal signaled their maturity and development when they overwhelmed Tottenham in their last Premier League game but it was the biggest sign yet that they are moving firmly in the right direction under manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners got off to a lightning start with that Martinelli goal but what would have pleased Arteta even more was the way Arsenal responded to Liverpool’s two equalisers, gathering themselves to come in front. Did and eventually close the win.
In the past, Arsenal’s mentality has been fragile but here they showed the strength and resilience to hold their nerve against a Liverpool side that has made a habit of getting the better of them in recent years.
Martinelli was superb for Arsenal, tormenting Liverpool’s defense every time he scored the first goal and then leading a breakaway that saw Saka restore their advantage on the stroke of half-time.
The penalty that decided the game infuriated Liverpool but Saka showed confidence and courage to step forward and drill Alisson’s resulting spot-kick.
And the Emirates Stadium now has a real sense of unity behind Arsenal and their manager, who has offered an impressive blend of youth and experience that suggests big things are to come at this side.
Liverpool weak again
Liverpool have developed a nasty habit of falling behind in games, often early on, and that is a bad sign of their weakness this season.
Arsenal took less than a minute to slice through the visitors, Brazilian forward Martinelli winning his first battle with Trent Alexander-Arnold to immediately put Jurgen Klopp’s side on the back foot.
Liverpool have twice shown the character to come back but are currently a shadow of the side that challenged for four trophies last season and their Premier League target seems to be only as far as challenging for a top four place. will be limited.
A number of goals are easy to score and concede with Alexander-Arnold struggling badly – although his half-time withdrawal may have been down to an ankle injury he picked up when he tried to block a Martinelli cross in a first-half challenge. Who was More than his performance.
Liverpool’s defensive colossus Virgil van Dijk looks more suspect than ever since arriving at Anfield, while the midfield balance does not look right.
In attack, Mohamed Salah is extremely frustrated. It was still surprising to see the Egypt forward substituted given his ability to score goals without a goal, but he was so anonymous at the Emirates that there could be little complaint about his removal.
