Arsenal's gradual improvement under Mikel Arteta shines through in 3-1 loss to Liverpool
The gradual improvement of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal was evident on Monday at Anfield, but it was not enough to appease the champion (3-1), who has won all three of their games and now has a six-point lead over Manchester City.
Jürgen Klopp's team keeps their winning streak intact after coming from behind to cancel out Alexandre Lacazette's opening goal and contain an Arsenal side that is getting closer to competing with the Premier League giants.
Nevertheless, Liverpool dominated the 'Gunners' in the first half, with Arsenal barely threatening Alisson Becker's goal. Virgil Van Dijk gave the first warning with a header that David Luiz had to clear almost off the goal line, and Trent Alexander-Arnold's shot from outside the box deflected off Héctor Bellerín and hit the crossbar.
The 'Reds' controlled the game and caused a lot of damage on the wings, exposing the inconsistent Bellerín and Kieran Tierney. However, Arteta had planned the game to take advantage of counterattacks and succeeded just when Liverpool was most confident.
Granit Xhaka quickly passed the ball, Lacazette played it to the side, and Maitland-Niles ran down the wing until he reached the box. The full-back tried to find Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the far post, but Robertson intervened and accidentally put the ball in the penalty area. Lacazette, who was in the right place at the right time, quickly turned and scored.
Arsenal had received a gift goal, but they failed to maintain their lead. As soon as Liverpool restarted the match, the champion struck back. Salah muscled past the weak Tierney, took a shot that Leno saved, but unfortunately for Arsenal, the ball fell to Mané, who tapped it into an empty net.
The goal knocked Arsenal down, and before halftime, they conceded the second goal. Robertson beat Bellerín and Willian to the back post and capitalized on a cross from the right to beat Leno.
Arteta's team improved in the second half and had chances to equalize, especially through Lacazette, who missed two one-on-ones against Alisson. But in the end, Liverpool took control of the game and enjoyed Diogo Jota's Premier League debut for the 'Reds'.
The Portuguese forward even scored. After wasting several clear chances and in the dying minutes of the match, Jota received the ball outside the box, fired with his right foot, and placed it next to the post, sealing Arsenal's fate.
The 'Gunners' remain with six points from three games and are fifth in the table. Meanwhile, Liverpool is second with nine points, behind only Leicester City on goal difference.
- Match details:
Liverpool 3: Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Keita (Milner, m.79), Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino (Minamino, m.91), Mané (Jota, m.80).
Arsenal 1: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Tierney, Luiz, Holding, Bellerín; Xhaka (Ceballos, m.60), Elneny; Aubameyang, Lacazette, Willian (Willian, m.68).
Goals: 0-1. Lacazette, m.25, 1-1. Mané, m.28, 2-1. Robertson, m.34, 3-1. Jota, m.88.
Referee: Craig Pawson booked Mané (m.3) and Alexander-Arnold (m.49) from the home team, and Bellerín (m.68) and Ceballos (m.73) from the visiting team.
Match details: Match corresponding to the third round of the Premier League played at Anfield (Liverpool) behind closed doors.