Gabriel Martinelli, the excellent man of today’s game, scored from Martin Odegaard’s through pass to lead Arsenal into a great win after just less than a minute on Sunday. Arsenal included a previous loss to Liverpool back in July 2020 and had taken off scoreless in their past six sessions with them.
For a revitalized Liverpool, Darwin Nunez (34) duly responded, but Arsenal ended the half the way they had begun it, with Saka (45+4) tucking in Martinelli’s cross at the back post after a quick counterattack.
Hence, let us cover all the best highlights of the exceptional match between Arsenal and Liverpool.
A spiral win for Arsenal capturing the top spot in the tournament
The Gunners won 3-2 thanks to two goals from Bukayo Saka and an early goal from Gabriel Martinelli, giving them their eighth win in nine games. Within 58 seconds, Martinelli scored the game’s first goal. After 34 minutes, Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez brought the score back to even, but Saka restored Arsenal’s lead just before halftime.
On the stroke of 53, Roberto Firmino’s 10th goal against the Gunners in just 17 outings brought Liverpool back even. Thiago Alcantara’s challenge on Gabriel Jesus 15 minutes from time resulted in Arsenal being given a penalty.
Liverpool’s setback is mainly their fault
Liverpool just has themselves to blame for giving up the game-winning penalty after repeatedly failing to clear their lines. Michael Oliver nonetheless directed to the spot for a mild foul.
With Liverpool having to pay for two 50:50 decisions that went in the hosts’ favor, it was no different from the handball decision that VAR declined to get involved in during the first half.
Bukayo Saka’s incredible play throughout the match
Since failing to convert the crucial penalty in the shootout at the European Championship final, Bukayo Saka has made significant progress. Saka went up and calmly converted his attempt to give Arsenal a 3-2 win against Liverpool and retain the Gunners at the top of the Premier League more than a year later—and with his most significant spot-kick since.
This time, the last kick of the game wasn’t quite, but it felt like it. Saka was forced to wait a few minutes as a fight broke out between players on both sides. And the tension was increasing.
Since missing his opportunity to help England defeat Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium, Saka has taken further penalties and scored on them.
Tomiyasu vs Salah
Questions were raised when the team announcement was released and Takehiro Tomiyasu was named the starting left back instead of Zinchenko or Tierney. However, against Mo Salah, our right-back was just outstanding.
The Japanese international made a significant effort to effectively render the Egyptian useless. Due to Tomiyasu’s victory in both the fight and the war, Mikel Arteta now feels justified in his choice of squad.
Arsenal and Liverpool match conclusion
There may be a correlation between Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs in the situation. The impression of a cycle finishing or of a race being completed is similar, even though the degree of talent and performance is obviously not identical. After suffering a devastating Champions League final loss, both teams lost their motivation.
Together, both teams aged due to a lack of recruitment for regeneration. Spurs had eight wins and 11 points when Pochettino was fired. Liverpool is down one point. This logically implies that Jose Mourinho can proceed with his tour of the Premier League’s Big Six. Undoubtedly a concept that only Liverpool supporters could resist.
Taking the improvisational points from a Premier League loss may be a valid and important line of inquiry now, but they were there if you looked closely, which may indicate the extent of Liverpool’s issues. All of us who thought the Darwin Nunez vs. Erling Haaland matchup might be interesting this season and we were very disappointed.