Arsenal vs Liverpool. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance59,968.
Report and free match highlights as Gabriel Martinelli's quick opener and two goals from Bukayo Saka, including a penalty, maintain Arsenal's perfect start at home in the Premier League; Liverpool twice equalised through Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino but are now 14 points off top
Sunday 9 October 2022 19:56, UK
Bukayo Saka's double took Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League and to a statement 3-2 win over Liverpool, which left the home supporters dreaming of a title challenge and the visitors reeling in mid-table.
Arsenal had failed to score in their past six meetings with Liverpool and not beaten them since July 2020 but capitalised on another slow start from Jurgen Klopp's men to go ahead after just 58 seconds on Sunday, when the excellent Gabriel Martinelli finished from Martin Odegaard's through pass.
Darwin Nunez (34) deservedly hit back for a resurgent Liverpool but Arsenal finished the half how they started it, with Saka (45+4) tucking in Martinelli's cross at the back post from a swift counter.
Sub Roberto Firmino (53) pulled Liverpool back level against the run of play at the start of the second half with an angled finish but it was Arsenal putting on the pressure by then and when Thiago Alcantara caught Gabriel Jesus on the calf, Saka (76) expertly converted from the penalty spot to put his side ahead for a third time in the match.
Liverpool pushed and pushed for yet another response and there was nervousness from the home side and their supporters but Arsenal clung on to impressively back up their north London derby win and extend their perfect league record at home to five matches this season.
Liverpool now sit 10th, a massive 14 points behind the table-topping Gunners, albeit with a game in hand. It's a long, long way back into the title contest for them - if there is any way back - but nine games in it is Arsenal leading the way, a point clear from Manchester City.
Arsenal had lost six of their last seven Premier League games with Liverpool but there was a feeling before kick-off it could be different this time, with Mikel Arteta's side flying high - and within a minute the home fans were celebrating.
Once again Liverpool's habit of starting matches slowly was exposed, with Saka and then Martin Odegaard carving a way through the visitors' defence before Martinelli applied the finishing touch. That was the 10th time in their last 12 Premier League games they've conceded the first goal.
Klopp's side had only lost on one of those previous occasions though, and regained their composure and claimed possession, seeing a handball penalty shout against Gabriel ignored, Nunez blast at Aaron Ramsdale from a tight angle and William Saliba hit a clearance against his own goalkeeper from a teasing cross from the Uruguayan.
Nunez, Arsenal's chief tormentor, finally got his reward just after the half-hour, when a long ball over the top from Trent Alexander-Arnold was miscued by Gabriel and Diaz darted across to the right to cross for Nunez to prod past Ramsdale.
But after finding that deserved equaliser and getting on top of the contest, Liverpool were caught out again, right on the stroke of half-time, with Saka left in space at the back post after a rapid counter-attack to convert Martinelli's low pass through the six-yard box and reclaim the lead for the Gunners.
Klopp took off Alexander-Arnold for Joe Gomez at the break but the incoming right-back found the task of marking Martinelli just as hard, beaten almost instantly, before the winger won the ball off Joel Matip to tee up Martin Odegaard to scuff a shot at goal when the Norwegian should have done better.
That proved to be a costly let-off from the captain, with his side conceding just three minutes later. Diogo Jota was the architect, sliding a pass through and Firmino, who had replaced Luis Diaz just before the break, showed his sharpness, arrowing the ball across Ramsdale and inside the far post for his 10th goal against the Gunners.
Arsenal maintained momentum, though, and Mohamed Salah was another high-profile player subbed off as Klopp sent on Fabinho in search of some control. It didn't work, with Alisson forced into a double-save from Saka and Jesus before Thiago was a fraction behind Jesus as they swung for a loose ball in the box and a penalty was awarded.
Saka was spot-on to put his side in front once more and this time there would be no way back for Liverpool, despite a late rally. The top-four battle is increasingly now their focus, as the title contenders disappear out of view.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to Sky Sports: "It feels great [beating Liverpool], especially the way we won the game, the way we played, the atmosphere, I think we deserved to win the game.
"There were a lot of moments, the way they can open you up and exploit the space. They were very efficient with the chances they had. But we showed a lot of composure and character in difficult moments to overcome them, especially in the second half.
"It was a lively half-time team talk, but I wanted to give them some encouragement and confidence the game was there for the taking. There were obviously a few things we had to adjust and be better at; more composure and more courage to play.
"Everything was better in the second half. The organisation, the timing of the press, we won every duel and second ball. I was really happy with that."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: "We're not in the title race. Imagine I would sit here and think we're nearly there, wait. We have problems at the moment but we caused the team in form, the leader of the table, massive problems today. Even in a really bad situation for us, with early changes and stuff like this we caused them real problems. We have to continue. We will go out there and fight. We are not here for being happy with the situation and thinking about last year.
"Very disappointed. Around all three goals we made decisive mistakes. The first goal is not what you need. A bad start. We start controlling the game against a very aggressive, full-of-confidence Arsenal side. We showed we're here for a reason, scored an equaliser, a wonderful goal. Then it's an open game and advantage for us. Then we make a bad decision before half-time, what are we doing? Worst possible start, worst possible end.
"Luis Diaz we had to change, something with the knee, not good. He will have a scan. On top of that, Trent is bad with his twisted ankle. Trent never in seven years went off if he could play on. Much pain, swelling immediately...
"Arsenal came out very aggressive [for the second half]. We scored an equaliser, then it was a really open game, with slight advantage for us. Then the penalty happens. He thought immediately it was a penalty, which was interesting. [VAR] Mr England had a look and if two refs think the same it's the truth we have to live with. If there was contact - and I'm not sure there was but there might have been soft contact - the player goes again on both feet and then down and that's an indication something might have been made up… But not for the refs. But they thought it was clear not a handball in the first half when Diogo put the pull on [Gabriel's] arm. We can not change that.
"Our situation now is a really difficult one. With injuries on top of that. These decisions go against you, it's kind of typical but doesn't help. We've lost the game with a lot of good moments, and could have got a result. A draw would have been a deserved result."
Arsenal next travel to face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League before visiting Leeds next Sunday.
Liverpool face their first-ever competitive visit to Rangers on Wednesday and then host Manchester City live on Sky Sports Premier League next Sunday.
