Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: 4 talking points from spirited defeat

Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool as second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino were enough to give the visitors three vital points.

Mikel Arteta fielded the same side that put in a professional display against Leicester City in the Premier League last time out. Emile Smith Rowe was on the bench while Takehiro Tomiyasu was again missing through injury.

A lively opening 15 minutes saw both sides show they were up for the fight, with tactical shapes for the most part cancelling each other out.

The first half saw Arsenal mostly on top with Thomas Partey sensational in the midfield, pushing the Gunners forward and breaking up Liverpool’s own efforts to get a foothold in the match. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka also had great joy down their respective sides, consistently getting in behind the visitors full-backs.

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Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: 4 talking points from a spirited defeat as Jota and Firmino hand Jurgen Klopp’s side a crucial Premier League win

The home crowd was boisterous as Arsenal pushed Liverpool back on occasion, and going into the break level you could argue that the Gunners were the better side. A huge second-half was coming up.

Sadio Mane had the ball in the back of the net just minutes into the half, although he was adjudged to be offside. Just minutes later a terrible backpass from Thiago was intercepted by Alexandre Lacazette who pulled back the ball for Odegaard, but saw his shot well saved by Alisson in what proved to be a defining moment.

Liverpool would take the lead just three minutes later. Diogo Jota was found by a superb ball from Thiago and the scorn of Arsenal beat Aaron Ramsdale at his near post.

Liverpool doubled their lead just minutes later as they piled the pressure on the home side. Arsenal gave the ball away and were rattled at the back. As Saka tried to clear the ball forward a lucky ricochet off Robertson allowed the Scottish left-back to again drive into the box where he picked out Roberto Firmino to slot home.

Martinelli went agonizingly close to reducing the deficit in the 87th minute, only to see his curling shot bend just wide as Liverpool held on for a 2-0 win. A spirited display but no points to show for it.

The game provided plenty of talking points.

1. Thomas Partey Doesn’t Buckle Under Liverpool Pressure

It was always going to be a huge test for Partey in the lone No. 6 role with his influence a key area that Liverpool would look to exploit, yet as he did against Man City, he stood strong to the task. The Ghanaian was superb in the middle of the park. His ball retention, composure and desire to consistently drive Arsenal forward stood out.

With every passing week the 28-year-old is gaining confidence and is proving why he was so highly sought after. His physicality in the tackle, little body feints, and progressive nature are at a world class standard and, against one of the best teams in the world in Liverpool, he was a level above.

He shielded the Arsenal back four with aplomb in the first half as Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz were all kept in check. Partey held the middle down valiantly. So many times Liverpool would be looking to build into the middle third and Partey would be there to intercept and push Arsenal forward. Breaking up passing chains and nipping into tackles to disrupt any invention from the Reds central trio, it was him at his very best.

Again, another superb outing from Thomas.

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