Arsenal beat Liverpool 3–1.
Gabriel Martinelli (right) can’t believe his luck. He has just scored the 2-1 goal that was the winning goal. PDO
The preliminary setup for the most important struggle of the Premier League season so far was clear.
Arsenal would have to beat Liverpool at home to make the title fight a three-team clash.
The gunners started explosively. The red and whites’ pressing game completely stifled the purple-shirted visitor, who couldn’t get out of their own area at all.
With less than a quarter to go, the power relations became visible on the scoreboard as well. Skipper Martin Ødegaard found with his pass Kai Havetszinwho should have already put the ball into the net from an open spot.
Liverpool hatter Alisson however, blocked the German’s move, but unfortunately for him, the loose ball dropped straight Bukayo to Sakawho gave Arsenal a well-deserved lead.
Full dominance
The opening period was rarely dominated by the home team.
It was clear that the Reds manager Jurgen Klopp especially missed the size Dominik Szoboszlaitawho would have been able to answer By Declan Rice and Jorginho to midfield supremacy.
Based on the performances, Arsenal should have already led by two or three goals at the break.
Otherwise I did.
After all, they returned to the dressing room with 1-1 numbers, even though Liverpool didn’t get a single shot at the opponent’s goal.
The statistical oddity is explained by the fact that in the very last seconds of the episode William Saliba tried to protect the ball goalkeeper David Ryan hands. The situation seemed completely harmless until Luis Diaz went round with the Spanish guard empi Behind Saliba’s back and bumped the ball with his foot.
The story continues after the video
Watch the Liverpool snot goal in the video. Premier league football can be seen on Vsport’s channels and Viaplay’s service.
Díaz’s poke would have gone well wide of the goal, but Liverpool’s perfect donut was completed as the ball hit the defender Gabriel’s into his hand and spun it into his own net.
Gift goals even
Earlier this season, Liverpool has been in a dream in the opening period, but nevertheless emerged victorious in the end.
The beginning of the second period at the Emirates looked like Arsenal had wasted their own searching time. Liverpool got their game under control again and threatened to knock the Gunners out of the championship race once and for all.
Again it was a wrong analysis because in the 67th minute it was Liverpool’s turn to mess up. Virgil van Dijk poked together with goalkeeper Alisson so that Gabriel Martinelli was allowed to slip the ball into a completely empty goal.
The story continues after the video
Watch Arsenal’s winning goal in the video. Premier league football can be seen on Vsport’s channels and Viaplay’s service.
The visiting team had to fight for the top without Szoboszlai, Mo Salah, Wataru Endo and sensationally started Conor Bradley. As a result, Liverpool’s game lacked its characteristic energy.
With additional time given by the referee Leandro Trossard sealed Arsenal’s 3–1 win by swiping the final numbers from Alisson’s crossbar.
Even the loss keeps the Reds still at the top of the league, but Manchester City can already move within two points on Monday, even if they still have one less game to play.
Arsenal is also firmly involved in the championship fight, just two points behind Liverpool.