Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool: The Gunners are now just two points behind the Premier League leaders

Gabriel Martinelli has scored more goals against Liverpool in all competitions than against any of Arsenal's opponents (five goals, two assists).

Arsenal reduced Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points after a deserved win in a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners knew defeat was unthinkable and their cause was helped enormously by two errors from Liverpool's usually reliable goalkeeper Alisson, who gave Arsenal the goals that secured three crucial points.

There were jubilant scenes at the final whistle as Arsenal condemned Liverpool to only their second league defeat of the season, their first since a highly controversial loss to Tottenham at the end of September.

Arsenal were rewarded for a lightning start when Bukayo Saka gave them the lead in the 14th minute, converting a rebound after Alisson saved Kai Havertz.

The hosts dominated the game, but a defensive lapse allowed Liverpool to restore parity seconds before the break when Gabriel palmed the ball into his own net after a mix-up between goalkeeper David Raya and William Saliba in a challenge with Luis Diaz.

Liverpool had more momentum after the break, Alexis Mac Allister twice going close and Curtis Jones narrowly missing the target, before the Gunners were the next beneficiaries of a catastrophic error, this time between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, which gave them theirs after 67 minutes Restored leadership.

Alisson stormed away from his goal and shot into the fresh air as Van Dijk tried to parry a long ball, leaving Gabriel Martinelli with the simplest of finishes into an empty net.

And Liverpool's misery got worse in the closing stages when defender Ibrahima Konate received a second yellow card for a foul on Havertz, before substitute Leandro Trossard added a third in stoppage time – Alisson was again at fault when he fired a routine shot into the net Near the post allowed through his legs.

Arsenal have passed a tough test

Arsenal's worst fears were played out at the Emirates when a defensive error seconds before half-time allowed Liverpool to equalize after Mikel Arteta's side had controlled the first 45 minutes and left the league leaders little chance.

The atmosphere was suddenly subdued, the mood changed significantly and as Liverpool tried to get up to speed in the early stages of the second half, Arsenal looked unsettled.

Instead, the Gunners showed great character to rally and reassert their authority and although they were grateful for the rare absence of the usually outstanding Alisson, this was a real show of strength that resulted in a victory that gave Arteta confidence will and its players.

Arsenal wanted to banish the memories of their recent FA Cup third round defeat here against Liverpool, when they paid the price for missing a number of chances, and this was the perfect reaction on a day when one Another defeat would certainly have dashed their title hopes.

Well, after a win at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, this has been an ideal week for the Gunners, who are in the thick of the Premier League title race.

And at the heart of that win was the exciting Martinelli, a constant threat for Liverpool and a goalscorer, while Declan Rice was commanding in midfield.

The celebration after the final whistle showed how important this was for Arsenal – and who can blame them for enjoying the moment?

Underperforming Liverpool lack their usual spark

Liverpool deserved nothing at all from this performance, the inconsistency is summed up by the manner of the two goals that gave Arsenal a thoroughly deserved victory.

Jurgen Klopp's side were lucky to equalize at half-time after being handed an equalizer at the stadium that no-one expected, although there were signs early in the second half that they were in the mood to take advantage of this gift.

Instead, Arsenal's victory was sealed by absurd defending that gave the Gunners the lead again.

Van Dijk acted far too casually and seemed barely aware of Martinelli's presence as he moved to take a routine long throw. The situation was not helped by Alisson's ill-advised shot off target and the air blast, leaving the Arsenal striker to complete the formalities.

After Konate was sent off, Trossard was allowed to run unhindered before embarrassing Alisson again with a low shot through the goalkeeper's legs, completing a miserable game for the Brazilian.

Liverpool coped brilliantly with Mohamed Salah's absence from the Africa Cup of Nations against Egypt, where he picked up a hamstring injury, but are crying out for his brilliance as they failed to even achieve the traditional bounce-back that has been their trademark.

There is no need to panic for the Reds, who are still clearly at the top of the table, but it will be a real disappointment that they put in such a poor performance in a game where they could potentially have staved off Arsenal's title challenge.

Lineups

arsenal

formation 4-3-3

22Raya

4White2Over6Gabriel35Zinchenko

8thOdegaard41rice20Georginho

7From29Havertz11Martinelli

• 22Raya
• 4WhiteBooked at 31 minutes
• 2OverBooked for 90 minutes
• 6GabrielBooked for 57 minutes
• 35ZinchenkoReplaced byKiwiorat 45'protocolBooked for 69 minutes
• 8thOdegaard
• 41riceBooked for 90 minutes
• 20Georginho
• 7FromReplaced byNelsonat 79'protocol
• 29HavertzBooked for 90 minutes
• 11MartinelliReplaced byTrossardat 74'protocol

Substitute

• 1Ramsdale
• 10Smith Rowe
• 14Nketiah
• 15Kiwior
• 17Cedric Soares
• 19Trossard
• 24Nelson
• 25Elneny
• 76Walters

Liverpool

formation 4-3-3

1Alisson

66Alexander Arnold5Konate4van Dijk2Gomez

38Gravenberg10Mac Allister17Jones

18steel20Dem7Diaz

• 1Alisson
• 66Alexander ArnoldReplaced byRobertsonat 58'protocol
• 5KonateBooked for 88 minutes
• 4van Dijk
• 2GomezBooked for 25 minutesReplaced byThiago Alcantaraat 85'protocol
• 38GravenbergReplaced byElliottat 58'protocol
• 10Mac Allister
• 17Jones
• 18steelReplaced byNunezat 58'protocolBooked for 90 minutes
• 20Dem
• 7Diaz

Substitute

• 6Thiago Alcantara
• 9Nunez
• 13Adrian
• 19Elliott
• 26Robertson
• 42Clark
• 53McConnell
• 62Kelleher
• 78Quansah

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Number of visitors: 60,374

Live text

1. The game ends: Arsenal 3, Liverpool 1.

2. The second half ends, Arsenal 3, Liverpool 1.

3. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

4. Dangerous play by Jorginho (Arsenal).

5. Kai Havertz (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.

6. Declan Rice (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

7. Luis Díaz (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the opponent's half.

8. Foul by Declan Rice (Arsenal).

9. Goal! Arsenal 3, Liverpool 1. Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) hits the center of the goal with his left foot from an acute angle on the left. Prepared by Jakub Kiwior with a header pass.

10. William Saliba (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.

11. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.

12. Darwin Nunez (Liverpool).

13. (Arsenal) is awarded a free kick in the opposition half.

14. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

15. Foul by Kai Havertz (Arsenal).

16. Second yellow card for Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) for a serious foul.

17. Foul by Ibrahimovic (Liverpool).

18. Kai Havertz (Arsenal) receives a free kick in the defensive half.

19. Offside, Liverpool. Darwin Núñez is offside.

20. Substitution Liverpool. Thiago Alcântara replaces Joe Gomez.