Arsenal’s best games of 2022 – ranked

1. Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool (9 October)

Home victories in the North London Derby have essentially become annual, and that’s why the victory over Tottenham doesn’t sit at #1. Instead, we’ve opted for the 3-2 triumph against Liverpool which arrived eight days later.

Now, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds may not be the juggernaut they were at their apex, but this victory was hugely significant for the Mikel Arteta project. Arsenal had beaten Klopp’s Liverpool just once in the Premier League heading into this fixture, but there were expectations that the Gunners would grab their second given their majestic start to the campaign.

It had the makings of a special Sunday when Gabriel Martinelli gave the hosts the lead after 60 seconds, but Klopp’s side threatened throughout the first half and they deservedly equalised through Darwin Nunez. However, a naive sequence from the visitors allowed Arteta’s men to transition superbly just before half-time as Saka poked his effort home to restore Arsenal’s lead.

Liverpool came roaring back at the start of the second half, but the Gunners seemed to grow in strength as the contest wore on, determined to claim a watershed victory. The moment the Emirates faithful had been waiting an eternity for arrived with 15 minutes remaining when Gabriel Jesus was fouled in the box by Thiago.

Up stepped Saka from 12 yards, and the starboy coolly beat Alisson to give the hosts a 3-2 lead. It was an advantage they never looked like relinquishing in the closing stages as the Emirates celebrated a rare victory.

Suddenly, everybody was taking Arteta’s side seriously.