Arsenal reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points after a deserved victory in a tense encounter at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners knew defeat was unthinkable and their cause was helped hugely by Liverpool’s normally reliable keeper Alisson enduring a nightmare as two errors gifted Arsenal the goals that ensured three crucial points.
It sparked joyous scenes at the final whistle as Arsenal condemned Liverpool to only their second league defeat this season, their first since a highly controversial loss at Tottenham in late September.
Arsenal were rewarded for a lightning start when Bukayo Saka gave them a 14th-minute lead, turning home a rebound after Alisson saved from Kai Havertz.
The hosts were dominant but a defensive shambles allowed Liverpool to restore parity seconds before the break, Gabriel turning the ball into his own net via his hand after a mix-up between keeper David Raya and William Saliba as they challenged Luis Diaz.
Liverpool carried more momentum after the interval with Alexis Mac Allister going close twice and Curtis Jones just off target before the Gunners were the next beneficiaries of a calamitous mix-up, this time between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, that saw them restore their lead after 67 minutes.
Alisson rushed from his goal and kicked fresh air as Van Dijk tried to deal with a long clearance, leaving Gabriel Martinelli with the simplest of finishes into an empty net.
And Liverpool’s misery was compounded in the closing stages when defender Ibrahima Konate was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Havertz before substitute Leandro Trossard added a third in stoppage time, Alisson once again badly at fault as he allowed a routine shot through his legs at the near post.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Raya
- 4WhiteBooked at 31mins
- 2SalibaBooked at 90mins
- 6GabrielBooked at 57mins
- 35ZinchenkoSubstituted forKiwiorat 45′minutesBooked at 69mins
- 8Ødegaard
- 41RiceBooked at 90mins
- 20Jorginho
- 7SakaSubstituted forNelsonat 79′minutes
- 29HavertzBooked at 90mins
- 11MartinelliSubstituted forTrossardat 74′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Ramsdale
- 10Smith Rowe
- 14Nketiah
- 15Kiwior
- 17Cédric Soares
- 19Trossard
- 24Nelson
- 25Elneny
- 76Walters
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Alisson
- 66Alexander-ArnoldSubstituted forRobertsonat 58′minutes
- 5KonatéBooked at 88mins
- 4van Dijk
- 2GomezBooked at 25minsSubstituted forThiago Alcántaraat 85′minutes
- 38GravenberchSubstituted forElliottat 58′minutes
- 10Mac Allister
- 17Jones
- 18GakpoSubstituted forNúñezat 58′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 20Jota
- 7DÃaz
Substitutes
- 6Thiago Alcántara
- 9Núñez
- 13Adrián
- 19Elliott
- 26Robertson
- 42Clark
- 53McConnell
- 62Kelleher
- 78Quansah
- Referee:
- Anthony Taylor
- Attendance:
- 60,374
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal 3, Liverpool 1.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal 3, Liverpool 1.
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Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Dangerous play by Jorginho (Arsenal).
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Kai Havertz (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.
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Declan Rice (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Luis DÃaz (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Declan Rice (Arsenal).
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Goal! Arsenal 3, Liverpool 1. Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jakub Kiwior with a headed pass.
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William Saliba (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.
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Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.
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Darwin Núñez (Liverpool).
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(Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kai Havertz (Arsenal).
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Second yellow card to Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) for a bad foul.
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Foul by Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool).
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Kai Havertz (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Offside, Liverpool. Darwin Núñez is caught offside.
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Substitution, Liverpool. Thiago Alcântara replaces Joe Gomez.
