(Football news) Arsenal consolidated their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-2 victory over rivals Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. A brace by Bukayo Saka and a goal by Gabriel Martinelli was enough for the Gunners to secure a comeback victory despite taking the lead in the very first minute. Arsenal, who had failed to score a goal against Liverpool in their last six encounters capitalised on another slow start by Jurgen Klopp’s team, taking the lead after just 58 seconds. 

Liverpool’s new signing Darwin Nunez hit back in the 34th minute but Saka restored the lead in the 45 + 4th minute, capitalising on a cross by Martinelli and slotting the ball into the back post. Substitute Roberto Firmino scored the equaliser with an angled finish in the 53rd minute despite the Reds being on the backfoot but the celebrations were short-lived as Thiago Alcantara caught Gabriel Jesus on the calf in the penalty area and Saka duly converted the subsequent penalty in the 76th minute to retake the lead. 

Liverpool fought hard to salvage a draw from the fixture but Arsenal defended with their lives and managed to extend their perfect home record in the league to five matches. Jurgen Klopp’s side are now 10th in the league and face another tough test in reigning champions Manchester City at Anfield next Sunday. While their home stadium may be a fortress, Liverpool’s defensive woes could cost them, especially considering Manchester City’s firepower and Erling Haaland’s form. Moreover, injuries to Trent Alexander Arnold and Luis Diaz have further weakened the Reds ahead of a very important fixture. It’s fair to say that Liverpool are no longer in the title race and must regain their form fast if they hope to be in contention for a place in the Champions League next season.

Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “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 manager Jurgen Klopp said “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 started 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 a 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 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." 

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