HIGHLIGHTS | Arsenal vs Liverpool (3-2) | Martinelli, Saka (2)
Despite twice being pegged back, we secured all three points in a hugely entertaining clash at a rocking Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel Martinelli fired us ahead in the opening minute, and it set the tone for a pulsating Premier League encounter.
Liverpool struck back through Darwin Nunez midway through the half, but deep into first-half injury-time Bukayo Saka restored our lead after a rapid counter-attack.
Liverpool again got back on terms through frequent nemesis Roberto Firmino, but Saka netted from the penalty spot after Gabriel Jesus was fouled to ensure a huge three points, and send us back to the Premier League summit.
There were just 58 seconds on the clock when we broke through. William Saliba won the ball midway inside our own half and sparked a counter attack. We overloaded Liverpool on the left, Martin Odegaard slipped the ball through to Martinelli and he expertly tucked the ball home, beating the offside trap.
The stadium was rocking and the team looked to maintain the early intensity, snapping into challenges and buzzing around the Liverpool midfield.
Granit Xhaka had a shot saved, though was flagged offside anyway, before Martinelli overhit a cross following good work from Bukayo Saka.
At the other end Aaron Ramsdale was alert to push away a Darwin Nunez drive, then sprung to his left to keep the ball out when Saliba diverted a cross towards his own goal.
So perhaps the warning signs were there before Liverpool drew level. Gabriel didn’t get enough on his attempted clearance, the ball fell to Luis Diaz who played it across for Nunez to turn home.
But we finished the half just how we started it. This time it came from a Liverpool free-kick, that we cleared to the edge of the box, then launched a rapid attack upfield.
Jesus won the ball and released the scampering Martinelli on the left, his low cross went all the way to the far post where Saka was sliding in to tuck home on the stretch
We had scored in the first and last minutes of the half. It relieved the pressure we had started to come under, and meant we went in at the break on a high.
We took our momentum into the second half, and the effervescent Martinelli set up captain Odegaard for a great chance in the box, but his low finish was easy for Alisson in the Liverpool goal.
We were punished for our wastefulness when substitute Roberto Firmino got behind our defence and found the corner with a good low finish.
The game was being played at fearsome pace, and there was no question of either side settling for a draw.
Martinelli was the source of much of our attacking play, and his cross led to a goalmouth scramble, where Saka had a shot blocked.
As the ball came back into the area, Thiago mistimed his challenge on Jesus, and the referee awarded a penalty.
Saka stepped up and made no mistake, rifling his shot low into the net to send the Emirates into raptures again.
There were a few nervous moments in the closing ten minutes, but in the end it was a performance of great maturity and character that extended our 100 per cent home record this season, and more importantly, took us back to the top of Premier League table.
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Enjoy match highlights, training and behind the scenes to get closer to the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Vivianne Miedema, Gabriel Jesus, Alex Zinchenko, Leah Williamson, Kim Little, Mana Iwabuchi, Jordan Nobbs, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kim Little, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, Beth Mead, Ben White and more.
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Arsenal Football Club were formed in 1886 and amassed 13 League titles, 14 FA Cups. Some of their greatest players include: Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, Ian Wright, Robert Pires, Liam Brady, Patrick Vieira, Cliff Bastin and Charlie George.
