Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove

ARSENAL beat Liverpool 3-2 in a stirring victory that sent a statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League. 

Gabriel Martinelli's first minute opener and a brace from the outstanding Bukayo Saka including a pressure-laden late spot-kick, returned Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table in a pulsating clash. 

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool twice equalised through Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino in a cracking match at the Ashburton Grove on Sunday afternoon - but are now 14 points off the Gunners who sit proudly in top spot. 

Prior to kick-off in a raucous atmosphere in North London, the Gunners hadn’t scored against the Reds in their last six meetings. Martinelli, a precocious 21-year-old from Brazil soon rectified that sorry statistic. Grabbing, after a mere 58 seconds, the home side’s fastest strike against Liverpool in the Premier League era, latching onto a perceptive Martin Odegaard through ball to finish past visiting keeper Alisson.

Mikel Arteta refused to acknowledge his side were in a title fight with Pep Guardiola after leapfrogging Manchester City to the top of the table. Yet, all contenders need a spot of luck and referee Michael Oliver duly provided Arsenal with plenty, when he refused to award a penalty to the visitors when the ball struck defender Gabriel’s hand under pressure from Diogo Jota. 

Despite their poor form that saw the Merseysiders end the day in tenth spot – incredibly two places adrift of Bournemouth, who they beat 9-0 back in August – Klopp’s side equalised soon after. Darwin Nunez slotting home Luis Diaz’s cross to make it 1-1 on 34 minutes. 

Unfortunately for Liverpool, Diaz was taken off shortly afterwards, replaced by Roberto Firmino, with the Colombian attacker seen leaving the ground after the match in a knee brace. Klopp suffered a further blow when Trent Alexander Arnold was replaced by Joe Gomez during the break, after picking up an ankle injury. 

There was more bad news for the Reds after Martinelli crossed for Saka the slot home from close range to make it 2-1 to Arsenal just before the interval. The Brazilian becoming the youngest player to score and assist against Liverpool, while also being directly involved in ten goals in his last 14 appearances, with five strikes and five assists. No wonder the young Brazil star is already a firm favourite with Gunners supporters.