London: Arsenal put themselves back at the top of the Premier League after a thrilling encounter which saw them emerge victorious, 3-2, against Liverpool. It was their eighth win in nine matches in their impressive campaign for the title.
Gunner’s manager, Mikel Arteta said: “I have never seen an atmosphere like this and you can’t imagine how much it helps the players. When you twice concede and keep coming back against Liverpool, the win is so powerful.”
He would not discuss the title chase despite occupying the top position. “I’m not going to mention it,” he said. “We are happy where we are so let’s try to continue to be there.”
Liverpool had the better of the first half although Arsenal started and ended the half well. They went into the lead after just 58 seconds. Darwin Nunez lost possession and it enabled Bukayo Saka to surge deep into Liverpool’s half before passing to Martin Odegaard who then put the ball to his left where Gabriel Martinelli went past Trent Alexander-Arnold to hit inside the far post.
Liverpool then took control of the game and in the 26th minute Nunez forced a good save from Aaron Ramsdale. But the visitors found the equaliser eight minutes later. Nunez received a long pass from Alexander-Arnold and passed to Luis Diaz before moving into the six-yard box to meet Diaz’s return pass and stroke the ball home.
Liverpool claimed a penalty soon after their equaliser for a handball by Gabriel Magalhaes but the referee disagreed. Arsenal went on to regain the lead. Five minutes were added for stoppages and towards the end of it Martinelli went down the left and sent a low centre from which Saka, having moved into the six-yard box, had the easy task of sliding the ball in.
Eight minutes after the break Liverpool restored parity. Diogo Jota beat William Saliba to pass to substitute Roberto Firmino who struck inside the far post for his sixth league goal of the season.
With 14 minutes remaining, Gabriel Jesus was fouled by Thiago who missed the ball and caught the Arsenal player’s leg. A penalty was awarded amid the protest but VAR upheld the referee’s decision and a calm Saka placed a firmly hit low ball into the left corner for the decisive shot of the match.
Soon there was disruption with tempers rising and players getting involved. Granit Xhaka grabbed Jordan Henderson by the scruff of the neck and it all became quite chaotic for a while. FA will investigate into the row.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp disagreed with the penalty: “If there was contact – and I’m not sure there was – it might have been soft contact. But the player was on both feet and then he went down which is an indication that something might have been made up.”
He added: “Our situation was already difficult enough with the injuries but if in a game like this these decisions go against you, it’s kind of typical and it doesn’t help.”
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