Sports Desk, Feb 5 (EFE)- Goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the top-of-the-table clash in English Premier League as they moved within two points of the league leaders on Sunday.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp applauds fans at the end of the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 04 February 2024. Arsenal won 3-1. EFE/EPA/ANDY RAIN EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Mikel Arteta’s men inflicted on Liverpool only their second Premier League defeat in 34 matches and the first since they lost against Tottenham Hotspur in September with a Luis Diaz goal controversially ruled out for offside.
Saka put Arsenal ahead on 14 minutes when a Kai Havertz shot was saved, only for Liverpool to capitalise on a defensive error on the stroke of half-time to level the game with a Gabriel own goal.
Martinelli took the advantage after Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker collided on the edge of the box to restore the Gunners’ lead midway through the second half.
Van Dijk protected the ball and waited for Alisson to come out, but the Brazilian missed the ball and could kick only in the air, allowing Martinelli to push the ball into an empty goal.
Becker was again at fault in injury time as Trossard raced down the left to squeeze the ball home between the legs of the Brazilian goalkeeper at the near post.
Arsenal’s third goal came shortly after Liverpool’s French midfielder Ibrahima Konate received the red card for a second bookable offence.
Arsenal coach Arteta, who celebrated widely after their third goal, hailed the “incredible performance” of his charges after the 200th league meeting between the two teams ended with their win.
“It was an extraordinary game, I think it was an incredible performance from the players and our people,” said the Spanish coach in the post-match press conference.
“The atmosphere that we generated in the stadium is the best I’ve seen this season, we demanded that, we had to go to a different level and connect it again to the demands that this league has in every game and they have responded in an unbelievable way,” he said.
Liverpool remained the leaders with 51 points despite the loss, but Arsenal came hot on their heels with 49 points.
Manchester City are in third with 46 points and two matches in hand.
Alejandro Garnacho scored twice after Rasmus Hojlund scored his fourth goal in four matches as Manchester United beat West Ham 3-0, the side’s first win by more than one goal at home this season, which took them sixth place with 38 points.
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