Arsenal v Liverpool: Match Report

Arsenal endured an early chance from Raheem Sterling before turning on the style and gunning to a 4-1 triumph in a “must-win” match over visitors, Liverpool. The victory sees the Gunners snatch three points and move ahead of Manchester City into second, four points shy of leaders Chelsea, who have two games in hand.

Arsenal v Liverpool: 4-1

A wonderful early chance for Raheem Sterling went begging and it may have been a different game had the England man scored- what with his links to an Arsenal move in the summer- but Arsenal erased any of that hope late in the first half. For the opening goal, Mesut Ozil found Aaron Ramsey wide right with a long ball from the middle of the pitch. Ramsey nudged the ball to the interior onto the feet of the onrushing Hector Bellerin who carried it into the box before skating past Moreno and curling a wonderful left-footed shot into the far corner.

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It was a terrific free-kick from Mesut Ozil to send Arsenal up 2-0, just a couple minutes after opening the scoring. Taken from right of center, Ozil sent the ball curling to the far post, passing a slightly out-of-position Mignolet.

Then, just before half time, Arsenal would add their third from the foot of Alexis. Bellerin passed to Ramsey who took a lovely touch into space to find Alexis, who took two delightful touches to get separation from the last defender before drilling his shot from the top of the box over the outstretched arm of Mignolet.

Olivier Giroud would be denied with a fine reflex save from the Liverpool keeper, and some threat developed when Bellerin fouled Sterling in the box in the 75th minute. Jordan Henderson scored the resulting penalty, and Liverpool found the strength to create a bit of pressure on Arsenal, but a solid and less-buccaneering squad than the last couple years maintained their defensive shape well.

Thirty seconds into stoppage time, Alexis played a ball into Olivier Giroud’s ankles that the Frenchman did well with to step around and set himself up for a left-footed shot from the top of the box, beating Mignolet yet again to his right to make it 4-1 and truly kill the game.

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Next: Arsenal v Liverpool a Must-Win for Both Sides