Premier League Recap (10/13): Arsenal Continue Fine Form Against Liverpool
Image Credit: Sporting News
LONDON — Nine game weeks into the 2022/23 Premier League season, Arsenal has yet to fall from the top position, following another win, this time over Liverpool, beating the Reds 3-2 this past Sunday, thanks to a rapid goal from Gabriel Martinelli and a brace from Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners have been sensational so far this season, losing only one game against Manchester United and winning the rest in all competitions. They are in first place on the table with 24 points, with a goal difference of plus-13. Defending champions Manchester City are right on their tail with 23 points and a goal difference of plus-24. On the other hand, Liverpool has been having a dismal season so far.
The Reds now sit in 10th place with only 10 points so far, having only won two games, drawing four, and losing two. They have a goal difference of plus-8, scoring 20 and conceding 12. To put things into perspective, Klopp’s team was in second with 22 points around the same time last season. Both teams were going into this game with high hopes, having gotten wins in Europe, with Liverpool besting Rangers 2-0 in the Champions League and Arsenal getting a 3-0 over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Mikel Arteta hardly changed his team going into this match, with almost every player that has been starting this season maintaining their position. The only change was to play Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back, which raised a few questions going into the game. Under Arteta, he’s normally played right-back, making occasional cameos at center-back.
Jurgen Klopp made no changes to his team, playing a 4-2-3-1, with Allison in goal, Tsimikas and Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in the full-back positions, with Van Dijk and Matip in between them. Club captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago played deeper roles in midfield, with Diogo Jota playing in a creative role. Salah and Luis Diaz played out wide, and Darwin Nunez started up top.
Image Credit: The Liverpool Offside
The game got off to a quick start, with Liverpool getting into the Arsenal half in the 45th second. However, the Gunners flipped the attacking switch and broke into a speedy counterattack. Saka played the ball into the middle, where Odegaard managed to play a sweet ball into Martinelli, who slotted it past Allison to make it 1-0 in 58 seconds. A VAR check was conducted on the grounds of a possible offside. However, the goal stood following the check.
Liverpool needed a response and got one just past the half-hour mark. TAA flung the ball forward, and it was received by Diaz, who passed it into Nunez, who shot it past Ramsdale to equalize. The goal would be his second so far this season.
The half ended just as it started. Liverpool had a free kick on the flank, and it was quickly deflected into Arsenal’s possession, who launched another quick counterattack. Jesus handled the ball well and passed it off to Martinelli. The Brazilian dragged it out wide and began dribbling toward the Liverpool half. With Gabriel, Saka, and Odegaard waiting inside the box, Martinelli passed it to Gabriel, who let it travel past him. Saka remained alert and put just enough on it to score the Gunner’s second goal at the end of the five additional minutes, making it 2-1.
Image Credit: Sky Sports
Liverpool once again responded well in the 53rd minute, with Diogo Jota playing a smart through ball to Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian timed his run well and scored from an angle to equalize for his team.
Since Firmino’s goal, the Gunners piled on the pressure and made countless efforts to get back ahead. Martinelli and Xhaka were just two players who were a part of nearly every attack at this point. They would help create chances and take shots themselves. They came close at one point, but play was halted following a Saka handball. It wouldn’t be until the 73rd minute that they found their goal. Thiago conceded a penalty in the box after a reckless foot made contact with Jesus.
While there was minimal contact, Michael Oliver held his decision to give the Gunners a penalty. Bukayo Saka stepped up and put his shot past Allison’s extended right hand, making it 3-2 to the Gunners. The game would drag on past the additional 5 minutes, but the Gunners would still remain on top past the final whistle, gaining another valuable three points.
During the game, there was an incident regarding Jordan Henderson. The Liverpool captain can be seen speaking to Gabriel. After he finished his sentence, Gabriel seemed shocked and began yelling in the Englishman’s face.
The respective teammates began to gather and investigate. Gabriel spoke to Firmino, and following what he said, Firmino looked at his own teammate in apparent disgust. Allison tried to speak to Gabriel, but he had already made his way to Michael Oliver regarding the matter.
Xhaka also leaped to Gabriel’s defense and pulled Henderson away from him. Fabinho was also involved and heard out Henderson. Allegedly, it appears that Henderson made racist comments to Gabriel, who became blatantly offended. Firmino agreed with his Brazilian teammate and believed that Henderson was out of line. As of now, the English FA has opened an investigation into the matter.
Image Credit: The Times
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