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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2. Gabriel Martinelli Terrorizes Trent Alexander-Arnold

Like Partey, the Brazilian is becoming increasingly effective in big games. Often isolated with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Martinelli gave the Englishman fits all night.

While there are not many forwards who like playing against the Liverpool No. 66, Martinelli looks like he wanted to play against him every week. Some of his control and first touches were divine; he could stop a bullet dead.

His movement, willingness to run and tenacious appetite for the physical contest left Alexander-Arnold clutching at straws. Such was Martinelli’s dominance over the England full-back that Jurgen Klopp often had to double and triple team the young winger to curb his influence.

He went agonizingly close to getting Arsenal back into the game late on but fired just wide. On his current form, the 20-year-old is nearly unplayable and one of the best teams on the planet could not deal with him. If given the chance Klopp would take him back in the Liverpool team bus.

Pace, trickery, physicality, and mental toughness, Martinelli has it all as he tormented Liverpool tonight.

This young man can be whatever he puts his mind to.

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3. Missed Chances and Defensive Errors Prove Costly

You could argue that, for the most part, Arsenal was the better side in the first half. After the break Liverpool started well and had the ball in the net, but Mane was offside. However, it was what happened minutes later that Arsenal fans will be wishing went differently.

Liverpool keeper Alisson was forced into a superb save after Thiago’s poor backpass allowed Alexandre Lacazette to intercept. The Frenchman then teed up Odegaard with the goal at his mercy only for Alisson to get a glove on it to deny the Norwegian.

Odegaard had to score. You can’t turn down golden opportunities like that. These matches are so often decided on the fine margins.

And that told. Just a couple of minutes later Thiago slid in a neat pass for Jota, who beat Ramsdale at his near post. The Gunners keeper has been in sublime form this season, but the error to allow such space at his near post is something he will not want to see again. You can’t be beaten there.

Just nine minutes later and with Arsenal reeling, Liverpool doubled their lead. Taken aback by conceding, the home side was sloppy in possession, and it allowed Liverpool to pile on the pressure. Missed kicks and clumsy challenges eventually ended up with Bukayo Saka trying to clear the ball, before a lucky ricochet off Robertson allowed the full-back to drive to the by-line where he picked out Firmino to double the lead.

Could Benjamin White have closed the space? Why did Cedric move away? Was Gabriel too unaware of Firmino ghosting in behind him? It’s elite focus that is needed at all times.

All of Arsenal’s great work for the first 50 minutes was undone in the space of nine minutes. Had Odegaard found the net it would have been fascinating to see how the game would have played out.

Fine margins.

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4. All Eyes on Aston Villa

Some were labeling it a free hit for Arsenal and, in some respects, it was. But with the gap in the race for the top four closing – especially after Spurs’ win at Brighton – the loss is tough to take. Having been the better side for the majority of the first half and the beginning of the second, it was two sucker punches that took the wind out of their sails.

Their two ‘games in hand’ are both away at Chelsea and Tottenham, two crunch games. Still in the top four after the defeat, Arsenal’s margin for error has now shrunk, even if this outcome was largely expected.

It was the side’s first loss in their last five games, and losing to Liverpool is by no means a devastating blow given the performance. However, it is a results business and the Gunners were brought back into the chasing pack tonight.

Still, with two games in hand, their destiny is in their own hands, but this weekend’s game against Aston Villa is now firmly front and center. Just 64 hours separate kick-offs and the lunchtime clash has banana skin written all over it.

A monumental effort will be required.