Gabriel Martinelli capitalized on a Liverpool gaffe at the back and Arsenal scored a huge 3-1 win over the Reds on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker made a mess of a long ball on the edge of the 18 under pressure from Arsenal’s Brazilian winger, who joined Bukayo Saka on the score sheet and secured a massive three points in the Premier League title chase. Leandro Trossard later added a goal after Ibrahima Konate was sent off late for a second yellow card.
[ MORE: Mikel Arteta on win, what he said at half ]
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners dominated the first half but emerged level at 1 after a defensive mix-up of their own just before halftime ended in a Gabriel Magalhaes own goal.
But Martinelli’s winner sent the Gunners two points behind leaders Liverpool, and opened wide the door for Manchester City. The three-time defending champions are five points back of Liverpool with two matches-in-hand.
[ MORE: Jurgen Klopp, Virgil van Dijk react to loss ]
Arsenal controlled the danger in this game, winning xG by 3.46-0.41 and putting seven shots on frame to Liverpool’s one. It wasn’t all good, as Bukayo Saka suffered an injury and left after 79 minutes.
The loss is potentially a big blip in the Jurgen Klopp goodbye tour, as the Reds icon has announced his intention to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Shocking errors from Liverpool legends give Arsenal just desserts
Liverpool had overcome home dominance to keep its Premier League lead at five points by finding a way past the Gunners via champions’ savvy at the Emirates Stadium, a 1-1 score fine for the Reds but nothing for the Gunners.
The story was going to write itself, you know? This Arsenal’s paucity of silverware versus this Liverpool’s cluttered trophy room.
That’s when two of the greatest players of the generation, perhaps the two best at their positions in the world, conspired to gift the hosts a win.
WATCH ARSENAL vs LIVERPOOL FULL MATCH REPLAY ONLINE - LINK
Virgil van Dijk misread the pace on a long, hopeful Arsenal pass, choosing to let his goalkeeper Alisson Becker deal with the ball outside the 18 rather than hoof it sideways as both felt the heat from pressing Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian couldn’t believe his luck, slotting home into a gaping goal and giving Mikel Arteta a massive win.
This was the opposite of narrative. The wise former champions puked in a big spot while the team that might wilt did not such thing. Alisson underlined the point by making a mess of Leandro Trossard’s late goal.
Make no mistake — Arsenal was superior to Liverpool in a big way on the day andt deserved every bit of this win. And Virgil van Dijk had gotten away with some iffy decisions around his area the past few weeks. But it was still a mistake so unexpected that it leaves us rubbing our eyes. VVD and Alisson going Three Stooges on the same play in a huge game?
Wow. — Nicholas Mendola
A bad day to have a bad day (against Arteta’s good plan)
Liverpool had lost just once in the Premier League this season and had healthy Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson on the bench. They’ll soon get Mohamed Salah back, too, and Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield was started to feel fateful.
But Dominik Szoboszlai, an x-factor this season, was sick. And that put onus on old hats like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.
As we detailed above, that did not turn out well.
Liverpool is a very good team but they were caught offguard by the Gunners’ Kai Havertz-led press. If the German was sharper with the ball, this could’ve been 3-0 at the break. It took an Arsenal error to put the Reds back in it, and Liverpool only managed to put a single shot on David Raya.
Say it again: Just a bad day to have a bad day. — Nicholas Mendola
What’s next?
Liverpool host Burnley at 10am ET Saturday, while Arsenal head to West Ham at 9am ET Sunday.
Arsenal vs Liverpool final score: 2-1
Goals: Saka (14'), Gabriel (o.g. 45+3'), Martinelli (67')
Red card: Konate (88')
[ MORE: JPW’s player ratings from the Emirates ]
How to watch Arsenal vs Liverpool live, stream link, start time, odds
Kickoff: 11:30am ET Sunday
Odds: Arsenal (+125) vs Liverpool (+195) | Draw (+260)
TV Channel: Peacock
Stream: Premier League on Peacock
Arsenal vs Liverpool live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal retake the lead - Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (67th minute, Martinelli)
2-1 to Arsenal! Alisson makes a hash of a ball over the top and Martinelli rolls it into an empty net. Alisson and Virgil van Dijk got themselves into a huge mess with that harmless looking ball over the top. Wow. One big defensive mistake for each team and Arsenal retake the lead. As it stands, Arsenal will be just just two points behind leaders Liverpool. As it stands...
VAR check for a penalty kick but nothing is given
Mac Allister tracks back with Havertz and there’s a tangling of legs in the box. VAR takes a look but nothing is given. Probably the right decision.
Triple sub for Liverpool
Arsenal have steadied the ship a little as Odegaard has a shot deflected wide. Liverpool then make a triple sub with Nunez, Elliott and Robertson on for Alexander-Arnold, Gravenberch and Gakpo. I guess Arsenal were targeting Trent on the counter but that’s still a surprise.
Liverpool go close twice early in the second half
Alexis Mac Allister unleashes from distance then Curtis Jones flashes a shot just wide. Arsenal’s fans are doing their best to stay positive but Liverpool are taking control of this game.
Half time + GOAL! Awful mistake and Liverpool are level - Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool (48th minute, Gabriel OG - video)
Awful defensively from Arsenal and Liverpool equalize right on half time. That is a gift. Saliba doesn’t deal with a ball over the top. Raya doesn’t come for it. Luis Diaz flicks the ball off Gabriel and it goes in. Wow. The home fans are stunned. Arsenal dominated the majority of that half but Liverpool had been improving and they’re level.
Liverpool are recovering
Trent Alexander-Arnold is marauding down the right and whips in a superb cross that Gakpo can’t quite get on the end of. Moments later he whips in another cross that is blocked. The tempo has finally slowed. Liverpool trying to wrestle back some control.
Gunners feeding off the home crowd
I’ve been lucky enough to be here often over the last few years and this is probably the best atmosphere of the lot. Arsenal’s fans were totally behind their team from the start. The players are feeding off it. Liverpool look stunned. How long can Arsenal keep this perfect high-pressing plan going? Surely they’ll slow down at some point.
The Emirates goes wild - Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool (14th minute, Bukayo Saka - video)
Arsenal are rewarded for their fine start. Havertz is played in through the middle as Van Dijk and Konate are caught too high. His shot is saved by Alisson but Saka is their to tuck home the rebound. The Emirates goes bonkers.
Really good start from Arsenal, who are responding to the atmosphere
The Gunners have nearly got Bukayo Saka in on a couple of occasions and Martin Odegaard is making a nuisance of himself. What an atmosphere here and the home fans are inspiring their team. Can Arsenal grab a crucial early goal?
🔥 What an atmosphere here in north London! Arsenal v Liverpool. Huge title implications.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 4, 2024
WATCH LIVE + videos, analysis, reaction & more ➡️ https://t.co/d3MRnJmPoB
My thoughts on Arsenal v Liverpool ⤵️ #AFC #LFC #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/e2DcpX7o1k
Hello and welcome to north London! It is buzzing here. The big game has arrived and both Arsenal and Liverpool know how pivotal this result could be in their season. But this feels especially big for Arsenal. The team news is in and Jesus misses out for Arsenal with Jorginho brought in for a slightly more defensive look to midfield. Liverpool are without Dominik Szoboszlai so Gravenberch starts in midfield, while Nunez is only fit enough for the bench so Gakpo starts. Alexander-Arnold is fit and starts with young rising star Conor Bradley omitted from the matchday squad after the passing of his father earlier this week.
🔥I’m here for Arsenal vs Liverpool. 3rd vs 1st. What a game this should be. Key clash in the Premier League title race.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 4, 2024
WATCH LIVE + video, analysis & more right here ➡️ https://t.co/d3MRnJmPoB#AFC #LFC #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/tilBcCXSmt
Arsenal lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Liverpool lineup
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Gakpo, Jota, Diaz
Focus on Arsenal, team news
OUT: Jurrien Timber (torn ACL - out for season), Takehiro Tomiyasu (international duty), Thomas Partey (thigh), Fabio Vieira (hip), Gabriel Jesus (knee)
Focus on Liverpool, team news
OUT: Mohamed Salah (hamstring), Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Wataru Endo (international duty), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (groin), Konstantinos Tsimikas (shoulder), Dominik Szoboszlai (unknown)