Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool: Five things we learned as Saka double puts Gunners back on top
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta prevailed over his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp as the two sides fought out a thrilling Premier League battle in north London. A brace from Bukayo Saka and a strike from Gabriel Martinelli saw the Gunners return to the top of the table, despite responses from Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino. With positives to take from both sides, Express Sport brings you five things we learned from a scintillating encounter...
Martinelli terrorizes Klopp admirer
Liverpool boss Klopp spoke openly this week about his admiration for Martinelli and how the Brazilian has become exactly the player he expected of him.
From the first minute, it was clear his praise was well placed as Martinelli raced behind to score Arsenal's opener. The youngster's pace caused constant problems for the Reds and he was instrumental again with a powerful run and precise cross that saw Saka make it 2-1.
RIGHT NOW:
Nunez rounds the corner
Before kick-off, summer signing Darwin Nunez was still waiting for his Liverpool career to kick into second gear. Having previously looked cumbersome and unpredictable in the worst possible way, the Uruguayan was razor sharp in a tough assignment against the Gunners and in-form centre-back William Saliba.
Nunez's movement caused problems in the first half as he was constantly found in the corridors and although his precise cross for Luis Diaz did not result in a goal, he was rewarded before the interval by an easy tap-in.
NOT TO MISS...
READ MORE
Arsenal squad last time Gunners beat Liverpool shows huge change
Trent fails to silence critics
Although Martinelli's blistering pace was a key factor in Arsenal's first hammer blow, Trent Alexander-Arnold was asleep in the face of danger. Unaware of the events behind him, Liverpool's much-criticized right-back was nowhere to be found when the Brazilian ran behind him to leave Klopp scratching his head.
Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities, or the apparent lack thereof, remain in the spotlight with England boss Gareth Southgate clearly among those unconvinced. Ultimately, the 24-year-old was unable to turn the tide as a nasty ankle injury saw him replaced by Joe Gomez at half-time.
The Arteta experience gives food for thought
So far this season, the left-back position has been a battleground between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney. Against Liverpool, the former was ruled out with injury and the latter was left on the bench as Takehiro Tomiyasu was pushed into uncharted territory.
More comfortable as a right-back or central defender, the versatility of the Japanese imposed itself by pocketing Mohamed Salah, who had no joy in the Emirates. Tomiyasu's left-side partnership with Martinelli also proved fruitful as his defensive solidity allowed Brazility to move freely up front.
Klopp's ambition backfires
There is...
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta prevailed over his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp as the two sides fought out a thrilling Premier League battle in north London. A brace from Bukayo Saka and a strike from Gabriel Martinelli saw the Gunners return to the top of the table, despite responses from Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino. With positives to take from both sides, Express Sport brings you five things we learned from a scintillating encounter...
Martinelli terrorizes Klopp admirer
Liverpool boss Klopp spoke openly this week about his admiration for Martinelli and how the Brazilian has become exactly the player he expected of him.
From the first minute, it was clear his praise was well placed as Martinelli raced behind to score Arsenal's opener. The youngster's pace caused constant problems for the Reds and he was instrumental again with a powerful run and precise cross that saw Saka make it 2-1.
RIGHT NOW:
Nunez rounds the corner
Before kick-off, summer signing Darwin Nunez was still waiting for his Liverpool career to kick into second gear. Having previously looked cumbersome and unpredictable in the worst possible way, the Uruguayan was razor sharp in a tough assignment against the Gunners and in-form centre-back William Saliba.
Nunez's movement caused problems in the first half as he was constantly found in the corridors and although his precise cross for Luis Diaz did not result in a goal, he was rewarded before the interval by an easy tap-in.
NOT TO MISS...
READ MORE Arsenal squad last time Gunners beat Liverpool shows huge change
Trent fails to silence critics
Although Martinelli's blistering pace was a key factor in Arsenal's first hammer blow, Trent Alexander-Arnold was asleep in the face of danger. Unaware of the events behind him, Liverpool's much-criticized right-back was nowhere to be found when the Brazilian ran behind him to leave Klopp scratching his head.
Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities, or the apparent lack thereof, remain in the spotlight with England boss Gareth Southgate clearly among those unconvinced. Ultimately, the 24-year-old was unable to turn the tide as a nasty ankle injury saw him replaced by Joe Gomez at half-time.
The Arteta experience gives food for thought
So far this season, the left-back position has been a battleground between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney. Against Liverpool, the former was ruled out with injury and the latter was left on the bench as Takehiro Tomiyasu was pushed into uncharted territory.
More comfortable as a right-back or central defender, the versatility of the Japanese imposed itself by pocketing Mohamed Salah, who had no joy in the Emirates. Tomiyasu's left-side partnership with Martinelli also proved fruitful as his defensive solidity allowed Brazility to move freely up front.
Klopp's ambition backfires
There is...
What's Your Reaction?
