English giants Arsenal and Liverpool squared off on the Emirates Stadium in Gameweek 23 of the 2023-24 Premier League season on Sunday night (February 4). Sitting on the high of the Premier League desk, the Reds got here into the sport on the again of 4 consecutive victories, however a spirited Gunners stopped them of their tracks, inflicting a 3-1 defeat upon them.
A Commanding But Irritating First Half From Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s aspect began brightly, stringing passes collectively and never permitting Jurgen Klopp’s aspect to settle. Within the eleventh minute, the hosts created a gem of a goalscoring alternative, courtesy of a superb lengthy ball from David Raya. Receiving the ball from the Arsenal goalkeeper, Gabriel Martinelli turned on the afterburners to get away from Ibrahima Konate. The Brazilian then discovered Bukayo Saka with a wonderful cross. The Englishman, nevertheless, didn’t maintain his header heading in the right direction, dragging it simply huge of Alisson’s purpose.
Fortuitously for Saka, redemption got here simply three minutes later. Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard launched Kai Havertz with a gem of a through-ball. One-on-one with Alisson, Havertz dispatched a low shot however hit it straight on the Brazilian shot-stopper. The ex-Roma man, nevertheless, didn’t maintain maintain of the ball, with the rebound falling kindly to Saka, who didn’t miss the second time round.
Within the twenty first minute, Odegaard was on the receiving finish of one other free ball, however the Norwegian took too lengthy to fireplace, permitting Virgil van Dijk to make a swift block. Within the thirty ninth minute, Gabriel Magalhaes tried a left-footed roller, however Alisson held it properly. It was just about one-way site visitors within the first half, however calamity struck the hosts simply earlier than the half-time whistle.
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz poked the ball towards Raya‘s purpose, which took a lucky deflection off Gabriel and went previous the purpose line. Arsenal ended the half with an xG of 1.98, whereas the Reds completed with 0.1. However in the long run, nothing was separating the 2.
A Unhealthy Day At The Workplace For Liverpool Stalwarts Van Dijk & Alisson
After a lackluster first half, Liverpool markedly improved within the opening quarter of the second 45. Sadly, they have been exhausting carried out by two defensive howlers, introduced upon them by two of their greatest gamers, Van Dijk and Alisson.
Within the 67th minute, Gabriel launched a speculative lengthy ball for Martinelli to chase. Van Dijk appeared properly positioned to chop in entrance of him and take the ball away, however the Dutchman left it for his goalkeeper as a substitute. Alisson couldn’t learn his captain’s intentions at first, which delayed his tried clearance. Beneath stress from Martinelli, the keeper didn’t make contact together with his kick, permitting the Brazilian to poke the ball into the unguarded web.
DIGGING DEEP FOR A BIG WIN ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1AsD8lrAR1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 4, 2024
Issues went from unhealthy to worse for Alisson in damage time, with him shockingly conceding at his close to submit. Leandro Trossard did fantastically to get away from Harvey Elliot on the left flank and cost into the field. Nonetheless, with no different Arsenal participant speeding into the field, the substitute’s guile was seemingly destined to go to waste. Hoping for the perfect, he dispatched a left-footed shot at Alisson, which took a faint deflection off Van Dijk and went between the Brazil worldwide’s legs and into the again of the online.
Courtesy of the stable 3-1 victory, second-placed Arsenal have now moved inside a few factors of Premier League leaders Liverpool (51-49). They may return to motion with a visit to West Ham United on Sunday (February 11).
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