Arsenal breathe new life into their title bid after their 3-1 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners go within two points of leaders Liverpool, who lose in the league for the first time since September.
Arsenal went in front in the 14th minute after Bukayo Saka opened the scoring. Martin Ødegaard’s pass to Kai Havertz cut the Reds open and Saka was on hand to finish after the German’s initial shot was saved.
Arsenal’s dominance grew after the opener, although Ødegaard couldn’t make that translate into a second goal, as his effort was blocked by Virgil van Dijk after Trent Alexander-Arnold had lost possession on the edge of his box.
However, the Emirates was left stunned seconds befor half time as Luis Díaz caused indecision between William Saliba and Raya, capitalising by poking the ball in off Gabriel Magalhães’ hand to level the game.
That completely swung the momentum in the second half’s early stages, with Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones both coming close. The Gunners still fought to regain some control and an Ødegaard effort was deflected into the side netting by Ibrahima Konaté before Gabriel sent a header wide.
Jürgen Klopp responded with a triple change shortly before the hour mark, but it was Gabriel Martinelli who put Arsenal back in front in the 67th minute. Van Dijk and Alisson Becker calamitously got in each other’s way when dealing with Gabriel’s long ball, leaving Martinelli to slide the ball into an empty net.
Konaté was sent off in the 88th minute after a second yellow card and things soon got worse for the Reds, as Leandro Trossard’s strike slid through Alisson’s legs to seal Arsenal’s third consecutive win.
Liverpool are now two points above Arsenal, and three points above third place Manchester City who have two games in hand.
