So typically when Liverpool want him Mohammed Salah comes up clutch. Arsenal have their star boy in Bukayo Saka. Liverpool nonetheless have their star man.
Just when it felt that Arsenal had weathered the second-half storm and that they might powerfully re-establish their very own Premier League title problem they had been denied by a ahead who delivers each season. And does so within the necessary video games.
“One of the things that top players have is they are always available and they show up in big games. That is what you need if you are a big club like we are and Arsenal are. Mo was that today,” mentioned Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and that summed it up exactly.
Salah needs to be the definition of a big-game participant. It is now, in actual fact, 61 objectives or assists from him in 72 video games towards the standard different “big” Premier League golf equipment: Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea who he scored towards final Sunday and in addition claimed an help in that 2-1 victory.
Arsenal will definitely be glad to see the again of him if that is, certainly, his final marketing campaign at Liverpool. Although even writing that sentence, and given Salah’s present contract runs out subsequent June, appears unimaginable. Surely it can’t occur?
This is the eighth season in a row the Egyptian has scored towards Arsenal and even when in a few of these earlier campaigns they weren’t the drive they now are, it’s nonetheless a historically grand encounter when these groups meet.
Salah now has 164 league objectives for Liverpool in 273 video games, one forward of Robbie Fowler (379 video games), and solely seven gamers have scored extra within the Premier League period. And, sure, there was soccer earlier than 1992 and even when he indicators a brand new deal Salah is clearly unlikely to overhaul Ian Rush, for instance.
But in Premier League phrases he’s indisputably Liverpool’s best goalscorer and the chances are he’ll catch Thierry Henry (175 in 258) and even Frank Lampard (177 in 609) this season. But will he be at Anfield past that?
Salah has already hinted he’s leaving, stating final month that this was his “last year” at Liverpool – which technically it’s – though we heard that earlier than, when he then went on to signal a brand new three-year deal in July 2022. Maybe he desires extra years now than Liverpool are ready to supply, given the 32-year-old’s age, perhaps he merely is aware of the presents from the Saudi Pro-League as a free agent will blow something they’ll supply out-of-the-water. Maybe it’s a sport of brinkmanship.
Given Salah’s obsession with desirous to be the perfect, with driving himself then could be actually depart European soccer so apparently prematurely? That is the multi-million pound query.
Whatever the negotiation it does stay extraordinary to assume that as issues stand it’s simply eight months earlier than he goes – and he might signal a pre-contract with a membership exterior England in January – particularly when he continues to be so important; so irreplaceable.
Arsenal will evaluation Salah’s equalising aim and rue their dangerous luck and in addition their poor defending – which was perhaps a results of that dangerous luck. It got here within the 81st minute after they had been nonetheless going for it to increase their lead however by then Arsenal had misplaced Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber to damage which meant their back-four was makeshift and sadly slightly rickety: Thomas Partey, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Liverpool will evaluation it and conclude it’s one other instance of Salah’s starvation for objectives, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s excellent supply (and he had a poor passing sport earlier than that) and Darwin Nunez’s selflessness as he ran onto the full-back’s intelligent chip ahead. Other strikers would have shot however Nunez squared it for Salah to side-foot what was his eighth aim of the season (to go together with seven assists).
But what was Kiwior doing? He didn’t assist out Lewis-Skelly as he ran throughout to neither lower out the cross or cowl. Arsenal will are available for criticism for not holding on – as title winners need to – and that aim will be analysed and pulled aside however Salah is phenomenal; a phenomenon, a difference-maker.
A draw was, regardless of Mikel Arteta’s assertions that Arsenal had been the higher crew, a good end result. The winners? Both groups continued to hunt the factors however the victors had been at house, 200 miles north. City of course are top after nine games – a degree forward of Liverpool and 5 in entrance of Arsenal who, the argument went, could be out of it had they misplaced and Liverpool taken a seven-point lead over them. Maybe so. Where does a five-point deficit depart them?
Arsenal had been excellent within the first-half with Declan Rice producing his finest efficiency of the season as he ran the midfield and Saka unstoppable as he returned from damage, as he took the captain’s armband and as he gave Andrew Robertson a torrid time. That was encapsulated by Saka’s aim, his fiftieth within the league for Arsenal, as he ran onto a sensible by ball from White to chop inside Robertson and beat Caoimhin Kelleher at his close to submit.
Virgil van Dijk cancelled that out with a close-range header from a nook flicked by Luis Diaz – Partey is not going to wish to watch that one once more as he was brushed apart by the Liverpool captain – earlier than Mikel Merino restored Arsenal’s lead with one other header, and his first aim for his new membership, from a Rice free-kick.
Despite Liverpool’s obvious dominance after the break, Arsenal appeared set to carry on for what would have been a well-known win; a press release victory. Instead, as so typically has occurred since he joined Liverpool in 2017, it was Salah who intervened to forestall that and make a declaration of his personal.
07:28 PM GMT
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That brings to an finish our protection of this Premier League conflict between Arsenal and Liverpool. Thank you for becoming a member of us.
07:27 PM GMT
Adversity ‘will make us better’, says Arteta
When requested within the press convention if it seems like nothing goes for Arsenal, Mikel Aretea mentioned: “No. This is football. It will make us better and it is. To compete in the manner we did in the game, I said we were going to be flying on Sunday and we did.
“We needed to grab the points to reflect where we are and where we want to be. We couldn’t, but for sure we are there.”
07:25 PM GMT
Slot on title race
Discussing the title race, Slot mentioned: “I know you guys like to talk about title contenders, that’s part of your job. Can you get a result in a difficult away game as this one? The way we did it pleased me a lot.
“The way we can compete with such a strong Arsenal team in their stadium is pleasing to see. But where that ends up leading to, I can’t say.”
07:24 PM GMT
Slot stuffed with reward for ‘top player’ Salah
Discussing Mohammed Salah, Slot instructed Sky Sports: “He’s available for us as well. That’s one of the things top players have and they show up in the big games. That was a big game for us, just like last week when he turned up with a goal and an assist as well.
“If you’re a big club, you need these quality players or you won’t get the results. You need the players who can get the difference for you. We have to give credit to Trent and Darwin in that goal.”
07:23 PM GMT
‘We were so strong’, says Slot
Speaking to Sky Sports, Liverpool boss Arne Slot mentioned: “Going two times behind against a very strong and good Arsenal team, to get a point is pleasing ton see because we had to play an away game in Europe this week.
“To go two times behind with the fans being so loud and the team coming back so strong in the second half, I didn’t feel we deserved to go in 2-1 behind.
“It’s very pleasing to see we had the energy and we were so strong to fight back in the game. We did really good but we were really strong today.”
07:17 PM GMT
Goal was ‘very easy’, says Van Dijk
More from Virgil van Dijk, talking to the BBC about his aim, he mentioned: “It’s very easy, isn’t it? We analysed that there are some weaknesses we can exploit and this was one of them.”
On the title race: “I think someone said to me last year, Man City lost here and they won the league. We’re in October. I’ve read so many things that Arsenal are out of the title race if they lose.
“We’re in the business where you can be on top one week and then not. We are in October and let’s see what it brings us at the end of the season. Enjoy the ride.”
07:14 PM GMT
Walcott ‘disappointed with lack of intesity’
Speaking on Sky Sports, Theo Walcott mentioned: “Arsenal weren’t missing many of their starting players today. This was an opportunity for Liverpool to show exactly what they were made of.
“I was disappointed with their lack of intensity. I don’t want Arsenal to lose that, the ability to put teams to the sword.”
07:12 PM GMT
Keane ‘worried about Arsenal mentality’
Speaking on Sky Sports, Roy Keane mentioned: “I’m starting to worry about this Arsenal mentality now, you’re 2-1 up and I’m still looking going ‘go on try and win the game’.
“There’s elements of Arsenal now, it’s happened most of the season, when they get themselves in front – don’t mind excuses about injuries or going down to ten men.
“They always seem to sit back in as if: ‘We’re setting up for 2-1, we’ll try and get something on a set piece.’
“Instead of going – go and get the third goal because Liverpool were there for the taking if they wanted to go for it but it was almost: ‘Lets hope we can win 2-1.’
“When you’re up against good players like Salah then they’re good enough to punish you.”
07:03 PM GMT
Arteta not sure of severity of newest accidents
Mikel Arteta tells Sky Sports that Martin Odegaard remains to be a “bit far away” from returning to motion.
He says he doesn’t understand how severe the accidents to Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are.
07:00 PM GMT
Saka on return from damage
Discussing his return from damage and his aim, Saka instructed Sky Sports: “I hate missing games it was really frustrating to be on the side watching but I just had this game in my mind that I would do everything to come back for this game and I was happy to be back out there today.
“I tried to keep the keeper guessing. I think it was a nice finish. I’m feeling good. I thought I could finish the game but the gaffer took me off.”
06:57 PM GMT
Saka ‘disappointed’ at Arsenal ‘sinking back’
Discussing the end result on Sky Sports, Bukayo Saka mentioned: “Just a bit disappointed, credit to Liverpool they’re a good team but we just feel like we didn’t show our best selves for the full 90 minutes
“I think first half we showed our qualities we dominated, we gave them nothing, they only scored from a set piece. I don’t think they had an other chance but second half we sunk back a bit and weren’t at our best.
On why the game changed he said: “I don’t know I just feel maybe Liverpool started to have more momentum. They won more duels than us,they kept possession more than us and then naturally the omentum goes to them and we have to defend more.
On whether Gabriel going off had a psychological impact he said: “Yeah of course, he’s a big player for us but that’s not an excuse. We have to adapt, we have to do our best whoever’s on the pitch.”
06:51 PM GMT
Van Dijk on contract state of affairs
Van Dijk not too long ago mentioned he has opened talks with Liverpool about signing a brand new deal.
The 33-year-old has been at Anfield since January 2018 and his present contract runs out on the finish of the season.
Discussing the state of affairs simply now, he mentioned: “I’m very calm. Let’s see what happens towards the end of the season. I’m enjoying my football, physically and mentally. Keep enjoying the game because it’s a beautiful game that we play and I play.”
06:44 PM GMT
‘We take the point and we move’, says Van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, talking to Sky Sports mentioned: “Listen, it’s a very tough place to come. They created a solid team and make it difficult for everyone. To come back twice is a good thing, we take the point and we move.”
On the set piece aim, he mentioned: “They’re very solid in set pieces and I think when I was marked by Partey, he only looked at me. It was a good flick from Lucho. I try to just be important in every set piece that we have and to not concede like we did so that’s very disappointing.”
On whether or not he’s proud of the end result, he mentioned: “You play here in London, they have the fans behind them and they created some momentum. You have to be ready to fight because you will have some tough moments. One point and we take it.”
06:40 PM GMT
Salah the difference-maker for Liverpool
Mohammed Salah has now scored in 4 of Liverpool’s final 5 Premier League video games.
He has already been concerned in 11 objectives within the league this season for Arne Slot’s facet.
Only Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane have scored extra Premier League objectives towards Arsenal.
06:37 PM GMT
Set-piece specialists strike once more
Arsenal took the lead earlier than half-time following one more set piece.
Take a take a look at Sam Dean’s tactical breakdown of Merino’s first aim for the membership.
06:33 PM GMT
Where that leaves us
Liverpool did not return to the highest of the desk after Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Southampton and as a substitute stay in second place, one level adrift of the champions.
The level takes Arsenal again as much as third forward of Aston Villa on aim distinction however they continue to be 4 factors behind Arne Slot’s facet. Here’s how the highest 4 appears to be like:
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Manchester City: 23
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Liverpool: 22
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Arsenal: 18
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Aston Villa: 18
06:30 PM GMT
Jesus picks up yellow
Jesus picked up a yellow following the full-time whistle for his protestations over that last resolution to provide a goal-kick and the cardboard is met with boos from the Emirates.
06:28 PM GMT
Full time: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2
An exquisite little bit of composure from Lewis-Skelly as he’s surrounded by three gamers on the sting of the field however performs a deft cross by to Rice that permits him to drive Arsenal up the pitch.
Jesus appears to be like to have performed excellently to win the nook within the dying seconds however a goal-kick is given. Shocking resolution. And that was the ultimate second of an epic encounter that ends in a draw.
06:25 PM GMT
90+5 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2
Liverpool have a nook down on their left that raises the strain ranges however Arsenal head clear earlier than substitute Endo, who changed Jones, provides away the foul to alleviate the stress utterly for a second.
Nunez will get again and journeys Trossard to provide away the foul and decide up the yellow. Arsenal are simply trying to knock it across the again although and maybe run the clock down.
06:23 PM GMT
90+1 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2
Controversy as the sport ticks in direction of 90! Antony Taylor provides a foul for Kiwior’s aerial problem on Szoboszlai. Havertz doesn’t hear the whistle although and carries on as he prods it previous Kelleher. It hits the submit earlier than Jesus tucks house.
The Arsenal gamers are livid however in reality the whistle was blown lengthy earlier than the ball was at the back of the web. It was accurately blown too.
06:20 PM GMT
90 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2
The ball drops to Jesus who makes room for the shot with some tidy ft. His effort on the half-volley is a well-struck one however Kelleher is ready to clutch it above his head.
Kelleher sells Havertz with a pleasant Cruyff flip because the striker goes sliding. It got here to completely nothing however satisfying to see from a keeper nonetheless.
06:18 PM GMT
87 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2
It’s a double change for Arsenal following the aim as Jesus and Nwaneri come on for Saka and Martinelli. Another teen that Arteta is completely satisfied to throw in to a high-pressure atmosphere.
Havertz is slipped in into the left of the field however standing a cross up the again submit. Jesus arrives and appears to side-foot house from a good angle however Tsimikas blocks for a nook.
06:14 PM GMT
Could Raya have performed extra?
Watching that dwell from the press field, my feeling was that Raya ought to have come off his line to clear the ball earlier than Nunez might cross for Salah to attain. Is that harsh? Perhaps, however it felt prefer it was there to be taken by the goalkeeper. Maybe he was spooked by Nunez’s tempo.
06:13 PM GMT
GOAL! Salah equalises for Liverpool
Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2 (Salah) There is extra space this time although for Alexander Arnold following Arsenal’s assault down the left. He performs a first-time ball excessive that Nunez runs on to in the precise channel. He lays it throughout to Salah making the run inside and the winger simply faucets it house into the underside left nook.
06:11 PM GMT
80 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
The Arsenal followers are doing their bit to assist their crew see this end result by. White is there once more to go clear Gakpo’s cross.
Alexander-Arnold appears to be like for a chipped ball excessive to Salah however it’s too straight with too little room in behind and it goes out for a goal-kick.
06:09 PM GMT
Makeshift defence to say the least
Arsenal at the moment are all the way down to their third-choice right-back, second-choice proper centre-back, third-choice left centre-back and doubtless fourth-choice (?) left-back.
06:08 PM GMT
78 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Timber is down as soon as once more and it appears to be like like his afternoon is finished. He is being changed by teen Lewis-Skelly who now has 20 minutes towards Salah. This actually is a makeshift again 4 now for Arteta’s facet.
Rice pounces to nick the ball excessive up down Arsenal’s left. Merino lays it off to Havertz on the sting of the field however his strike goes over. It wasn’t coming to him completely in equity.
06:05 PM GMT
75 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Havertz drives previous Tsimikas down the precise however the full-back does properly to get well and get his physique between man and ball, permitting Kelleher to gather.
Rice can deliver it ahead and feeds Saka. The Arsenal winger ambles onwards earlier than digging out a cross in direction of Havertz. Konate is ready to win the header which Kelleher can declare.
06:03 PM GMT
Arsenal being pushed again
Liverpool are pushing Arsenal again and chopping off the exit routes for the house facet. The sport is now going down virtually fully within the Arsenal half, with Alexander-Arnold discovering extra superior positions and Gakpo seeing loads of the ball on the left. Salah can also be rising into the sport. Arsenal have to discover a means of protecting the ball.
06:02 PM GMT
72 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Arsenal are defending with all eleven males inside 30 yards of their very own aim. Salah picks out Szoboszlai on the sting of the field however his curling effort is so tame and floats extensive of the left submit.
Nunez picks an exquisite volleyed cross into the precise channel for Salah to run on to. His cross falls to the ft of Jones however Arsenal put in a wonderful block on his goal-bound effort. Timber is down now…perhaps with cramp.
05:59 PM GMT
69 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Declan Rice provides away the foul on Liverpool’s left in an virtually good reflection of the place he took that fabulous free-kick from the precise. Havertz is there to forestall the identical end result this time.
Gravenberch provides the foul away for a supposed excessive boot however that was a poor name. Trossard clutching his face got here from the ball hitting his face – not a Liverpool boot.
05:57 PM GMT
66 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Liverpool are actually beginning to knock on the door however the Arsenal defence is dealing with the barrage of crosses coming their means.
Gravenberch has some house about 30 yards out and decides to have a pop off however it’s very excessive and really extensive. Raya picks up a yellow for delaying the restart from the goal-kick.
05:54 PM GMT
64 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Rice pings a stunning ball out to Martinelli. He chops backwards and forwards earlier than digging a cross out directed in direction of Saka however Robertson wins the duel.
Martinelli has the beating of Alexander-Arnold once more happening the surface this time however once more his cross is headed away.
Triple change for Liverpool as Szoboszlai, Gakpo and Tsimikas come on for Mac Allister, Diaz and Robertson.
05:51 PM GMT
61 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Partey does properly towards Diaz taking him on within the field however the ball drops to Nunez. There is an almighty scramble for the ball however Arsenal can nearly clear.
Alexander-Arnold picks it up on the sting of the field earlier than shifting it onto his left foot. He takes goal however it’s deflected and loops over for a nook. Robertson’s supply is headed clear by Havertz.
05:49 PM GMT
59 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
A beautiful spin from Salah in his personal half sees him skip away from Timber. He drives as much as the field earlier than chopping again and taking part in a cross to Diaz on the again submit however his fellow winger was in an offside place.
It seems like Arsenal are completely satisfied now to sit down in deep and defend their lead. Alexander Arnold takes issues into his personal arms and strikes from vary however it’s extensive of the left submit.
05:46 PM GMT
Depleted Arsenal defence
Gabriel’s damage means Arsenal at the moment are with out their first-choice proper centre-back (Saliba), their first-choice left centre-back (Gabriel) and their second-choice left centre-back (Calafiori).
Their centre-back partnership is at present White and Kiwior. It’s a good distance from being best.
05:45 PM GMT
55 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
It appears to be like as if Gabriel’s damage was picked up following a collision with Nunez – maybe a knee challenge for the defender. Kiwior is on in his place. Liverpool must be licking their lips on the sight of Gabriel going off and limping down the tunnel.
05:44 PM GMT
54 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Rice is simply filling in at centre-back now whereas Gabriel receives remedy. Diaz skips brilliantly previous Partey into the field and appears to nip spherical White too however it all will get a bit too tight as he runs into Raya.
Salah is fed into the precise of the Liverpool field. He digs a harmful cross out however no Liverpool participant can get on the tip of it. Gabriel got here again on however following that final Liverpool assault he fell to the bottom once more and it appears to be like like he must go off right here. Huge blow for Arsenal.
05:41 PM GMT
The prolonged VAR test for Merino’s aim
05:39 PM GMT
48 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Someone on the Liverpool bench – Sipke Hulshoff – has picked up a yellow for protestations following a Liverpool foul.
Trossard feeds Havetz into the precise of the field however his squared ball searching for Saka is lower out by a retreating Van Dijk. Gabriel has simply gone down in some discomfort. This will probably be worrying for Arteta.
05:37 PM GMT
46 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Arsenal and Trossard kick issues off for the second interval going from proper to left.
Can Liverpool get again in it right here or will Arsenal maintain on to their lead?
05:26 PM GMT
Rice’s attacking contributions
05:21 PM GMT
Half-time: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Alexander Arnold picks out the top of Mac Allister inside the realm however his effort is straight at Raya.
Gabriel holds off Nunez earlier than profitable the foul within the nook and throwing his arms within the air to elevate the noise from the house followers.
That was the final motion of the half as Anthony Taylor brings an enthralling opening interval to an in depth.
05:19 PM GMT
Merino exhibiting why he was signed
Mikel Merino had a shaky begin to this sport, by far his largest in an Arsenal shirt thus far, however he has actually grown into it over the previous 20 minutes or so. That back-post header was the precise type of aim he was signed to attain.
05:18 PM GMT
45+2 minutes: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
There will probably be 4 minutes of added time to conclude this primary half. Liverpool had conceded simply three objectives in eight video games this season. They have now conceded two within the house of 45 minutes towards Liverpool. It has been actually uncomfortable for them thus far.
05:15 PM GMT
GOAL! Merino restores the lead
Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1 (Merino) Rice places in one other sensational ball in from the free-kick on the precise that finds Merino who buries his header previous Kelleher.
There is a test from the Video Assistant Referee as as to if the Arsenal man is offside however after a very prolonged test the aim is given.
05:12 PM GMT
43 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Robertson is desperately telling gamers to again him up because the ball appears to be like to be working its means out to Saka. The winger does decide it up and whereas Liverpool clear his cross, they provide away one other foul in direction of the precise of the pitch, ten yards greater than the sting of the field.
05:10 PM GMT
41 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Saka picks it up and skips previous Robertson once more. He is now being doubled and even tripled up on and Nunez places a problem in that appears like a sure foul on the sting of the field however nothing given by Anthony Taylor.
Merino appears to be like to clip one excessive of the Liverpool defence for Martinelli however Konate adopts a greater beginning place to comb up this time.
05:07 PM GMT
Arsenal’s wingers inflicting issues
Arsenal are the dominant crew now, with Liverpool struggling to comprise Saka and Martinelli. The stress on Liverpool’s backline is constructing… however Slot’s crew might flip this round at any second. It’s a terrific match.
05:07 PM GMT
37 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Liverpool can clear the ensuing free-kick however Arsenal can maintain the assault alive. Merino plucks one out the sky earlier than Arsenal mix to arrange Martinelli on the sting of the field. He is off stability as his shot on aim goes properly off track.
Liverpool are struggling to get out in the meanwhile as Arsenal win one other free-kick that they go brief with this time. Martinelli is ready to lower in and ship a cross that Havertz once more shouldn’t be anticipating to succeed in him because it simply hits his face. Liverpool win the free-kick and have a second of respite.
05:03 PM GMT
33 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Martinelli will get into the Liverpool field between Alexander Arnold and Konate. The full-back hangs a leg earlier than Konate flies into the sort out, whereas getting the ball. Liverpool fail to clear because the ball drops to Havertz however the German fires over.
Panic at each ends within the sides’ defending thus far. Saka then rolls previous Mac Allister in midfield who’s compelled into dragging him down and the Liverpool man picks up a reserving.
05:01 PM GMT
29 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Martinelli can arise Alexander Arnold earlier than happening the surface and digging a cross out along with his left foot. It runs by to Havertz on the again submit however he was perhaps not anticipating it to succeed in him as his first contact runs out for a goal-kick.
The extensive gamers have been the actual difference-makers within the opening interval thus far with all 4 inflicting issues for his or her respective full-backs.
04:58 PM GMT
28 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Partey will get one other good foot in on Diaz as he appears to be like to beat the Arsenal man down Liverpool’s left.
Kelleher goes lengthy and picks out Salah who combines with Alexander-Arnold. He appears to be like to sq. the ball throughout to Mac Allister earlier than the ball almost drops to Jones however Arsenal can nearly scramble it clear. Nervy instances on the again for the hosts.
04:54 PM GMT
25 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
There was a second of anger from the Arsenal gamers earlier than that final free-kick as Diaz appeared to kick the ball away following the choice. No yellow was given and Arsenal – for good cause given their season – took exception.
Saka picks it up on the precise earlier than chopping in and letting fly however his effort goes excessive and extensive. He is making such a distinction although – wanting actually harmful.
04:52 PM GMT
Thrilling begin on the Emirates
It has been an exhilarating begin to this sport. Liverpool in all probability should be degree however Arsenal will probably be livid about conceding so quickly after taking the lead. Not least as a result of it’s the second aim they’ve conceded from a nook of their final two Premier League video games.
04:51 PM GMT
22 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Huge probability for the hosts! Arsenal have a free-kick inside Liverpool’s half and Rice sweeps in a sensational ball from the precise. It finds Merino who appears to be like to open his physique as much as volley house on his left foot however he doesn’t make a clear contact and it goes properly extensive.
The Arsenal midfielder appears to be like to have injured his shoulder within the course of. It was a dislocated shoulder in coaching that delayed his debut for Arsenal following his summer season transfer.
04:49 PM GMT
GOAL! Van Dijk equalises
Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1 (Van Dijk) Van Dijk performs a raking ball ahead for Diaz who controls it however Partey nearly manages to get the foot in to place the ball behind for a nook.
Alexander-Arnold’s set piece from the left is flicked on by Diaz on the close to submit and Van Dijk is there to nod house from a few yards out!
04:46 PM GMT
50 up for Saka
Stat assault! Saka’s aim makes him the youngest Arsenal participant ever to attain 50 Premier League objectives (23 and 52 days).
04:45 PM GMT
15 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0
Merino utterly mis-controls the ball on the sting of the field because it runs below his foot. It lands on the ft of Salah who appears to be like to bend it within the close to submit and however the curl takes it extensive of the upright. A let-off for the Arsenal man!
04:43 PM GMT
Emphatic from Saka
Safe to say Bukayo Saka is match, then… such an emphatic end and he humiliated Andy Robertson within the means of scoring that aim. As Saka scores, Robertson is on his again within the six-yard field.
Interesting to see that Ben White performed the lengthy cross excessive from centre-back. He’s in for William Saliba as we speak and that’s not a cross that Saliba usuall makes an attempt. The Frenchman prefers to play brief correct passes, whereas White has the longer ball in his locker, too.
04:43 PM GMT
13 minutes: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0
Saka’s involvement was the important thing speaking level within the build-up to as we speak and he’s proven why. Simply world-class from the winger and he has made the distinction early on.
Liverpool look to reply as Diaz cuts in and whips a ball throughout however White is there once more to go clear. He has had a wonderful begin to the sport in central defence.
04:40 PM GMT
GOAL! Saka opens the scoring
Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0 (Saka) White performs a wonderful ball excessive for Saka to run on to. The winger will get into the field earlier than chopping again previous Robertson with a nutmeg and lashing his effort above Kelleher into the again of the web.
04:39 PM GMT
9 minutes: Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
Partey places in a superb problem on a marauding Diaz which will get a cheer from the Emirates. Salah appears to be like to slip in Diaz however White is there to chop it out. Arsenal are wanting strong early on of their new-look defensive set-up.
04:37 PM GMT
7 minutes: Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
Alexander-Arnold has his first little bit of time on the ball and appears for the run of Nunez however Gabriel slides to chop it out properly.
Van Dijk provides away the foul for an off-the-ball incident with Havertz. The defender performs a cross earlier than leaving one – or two – on the Arsenal man who was harrying him. A foolish resolution and he has put his facet below a little bit of stress right here.
Rice floats it in direction of Merino. It’s headed clear earlier than Martinelli’s supply again in is properly over-hit.
04:34 PM GMT
5 minutes: Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
Arsenal are capable of get pleasure from their first spell on the ball as they knock it round their makeshift again 4. There’s a superb noise within the Emirates from the house followers.
Liverpool are completely satisfied for Arsenal to have it on the again with out making use of any stress – an ordinary sight in seasons gone for a Liverpool facet.
04:32 PM GMT
2 minutes: Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
Kelleher appears to be like lengthy for Diaz down Liverpool’s left who can deliver it down and tackle Partey. He stands up the Arsenal man earlier than organising Robertson who wins the foul from Saka down within the left nook. An early probability for Liverpool to deliver the massive males up.
Alexander Arnold’s supply is flicked on by Van Dijk however headed away by Arsenal.
04:30 PM GMT
1 min: Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
We are underway right here on the Emirates Stadium with Liverpool and Curtis Jones kicking off from proper to left.
Anthony Taylor is the person within the center this afternoon.
04:29 PM GMT
Last Post performed for Remembrance Sunday
The Last Post is performed because the gamers and followers across the stadium pay their respect forward of Remembrance Sunday.
04:25 PM GMT
Players make their means out
The gamers at the moment are within the tunnel because the sound of ‘North London Forever’ rings across the Emirates.
The sides make their means out onto the pitch to an enormous roar. There is an actual sense of significance within the air earlier than this one.
04:20 PM GMT
Fond reminiscences for Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli has scored 5 objectives and registered two assists towards Liverpool. He hasn’t been concerned in additional objectives towards some other facet for Arsenal.
Four of his 5 objectives towards Liverpool have put his facet within the lead within the match.
04:15 PM GMT
Final preparations
04:11 PM GMT
Elsewhere this afternoon
Cole Palmer scored the winner for Chelsea in a 2-1 over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge sending Chelsea above Arsenal on aim distinction into fourth.
Manchester United had been overwhelmed 2-1 by West Ham United following a 92nd penalty by Jarrod Bowen, rising the stress on Erik ten Hag.
Crystal Palace registered their first win over the season with a 1-0 win at house over Tottenham Hostpur due to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-half aim.
04:06 PM GMT
Saliba absence an enormous blow for Arsenal
Arsenal are beginning a Premier League sport with out William Saliba for the primary time for the reason that begin of final season with the central defender having performed each minute since then previous to his purple card towards Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta’s facet have had a 74% win fee and conceded 0.8 objectives per sport with him within the crew in comparison with a forty five% win fee and 1.6 objectives conceded per sport with out him since he signed for the membership.
The Frenchman’s absence by damage in direction of the tip of the 2022/23 marketing campaign was a key a part of their collapse within the title race with Manchester City.
04:03 PM GMT
Liverpool quick out the blocks
A win for Liverpool this afternoon would mark their second-best ever begin to a Premier League marketing campaign after 9 video games.
The solely different time they’ve managed 24 or extra factors at that stage of a season was in 2019-20, after they final gained the title.
03:56 PM GMT
Last trip
Arsenal had been overwhelmed 2-0 of their go to to Bournemouth of their final Premier League outing as William Saliba picked up their third purple card of the season for bringing down Evanilson who appeared in on aim.
Ryan Christie opened the scoring for the hosts within the second interval earlier than Justin Kluivert added a second from the penalty spot to inflict a primary defeat in 16 video games in all competitors’s for Mikel Arteta’s males.
Meanwhile, Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield to return to the summit of the Premier League.
Mohammed Salah gave Liverpool the lead through a penalty within the opening interval. Nicholas Jackson equalised for the guests after the interval however Curtis Jones rapidly restored Liverpool’s result in make it seven wins from eight for Arne Slot’s males.
03:50 PM GMT
Havertz’s home-comforts
Kai Havertz is trying to rating in his sixth successive Premier League house look and turn into the one Arsenal participant to realize the feat since Thierry Henry, who managed it on two events.
03:46 PM GMT
Liverpool’s defensive solidity
Liverpool have conceded the fewest objectives of any Premier League facet season having let in simply three of their opening eight video games.
They even have the bottom xG towards with 6.2 and on the present fee they’re going, they’re heading in the right direction to interrupt the report set by Chelsea of conceding simply 15 throughout your complete season. A visit to the Emirates might do some injury to that individual goal.
03:38 PM GMT
Liverpool’s largest away check this season
Liverpool have gained all six of their away matches in all competitions this season, together with video games away at Manchester United, AC Milan and RB Leipzig. This is certainly their largest check of the marketing campaign thus far, although, and it will likely be fascinating to see what number of tactical adjustments Arne Slot makes in an effort to counteract Arsenal’s attacking menace.
Will Liverpool change their form or model? Will they be extra cautious? Under Klopp, it might not have occurred. We’ll know very quickly if Slot is totally different.
03:37 PM GMT
Liverpool can address Arsenal’s darkish arts, insists Arne Slot
By Gideon Brooks
Arne Slot says his Liverpool facet have the expertise of their ranks to deal with Arsenal’s rising mastery of the darkish arts of sport administration. Mikel Arteta’s crew have been accused of growing a extra cynical and pragmatic streak to get them by troublesome match conditions.
Manchester City criticised Arsenal for pushing the boundaries with time-wasting, tactical fouls and feigning damage when their 10 males held out for a draw on the Etihad in September within the largest sport of the season to this point.
Three purple playing cards in simply eight video games this season, greater than some other top-flight membership, additionally suggests the event of a tougher, extra cynical facet to their sport. Slot is below no illusions how troublesome a proposition Arsenal might be this afternoon however, for all that he most popular to focus on the hazard Arsenal current with the ball at their ft, he warned his facet might deal with themselves in addition to anybody if it will get niggly.
“If I look at Arsenal it doesn’t even come to my mind about tactical fouls or dark arts, it only comes to my mind how well they play,” mentioned the Liverpool boss.
“It’s your words that they are implementing those tactics, but the only thing I know is that my players are experienced and they know how to handle certain situations.
“I am not using the words streetwise, I am using the word experienced and you have to cope if the other team is better than you. It’s how you react in those moments.”
03:30 PM GMT
Sam Dean on the importance of Timber’s first begin in three weeks
Much of the pre-match focus has understandably been on the health of Bukayo Saka, who has been deemed prepared to begin for Arsenal this afternoon, however it might be argued that the inclusion of Jurrien Timber is much more necessary for Mikel Arteta’s hopes of victory.
Timber has not performed since October 1st and it looks like he’s coming straight into the crew at left-back, the place his activity will probably be to cope with Mohamed Salah. His availability is a large enhance for Arsenal, as the opposite choices in that place weren’t notably encouraging.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, for instance, has struggled badly towards Salah previously. Jakub Kiwior is extra of a centre-back. And Myles Lewis-Skelly is simply 18 years outdated. Timber is significantly higher suited to this specific problem than these three.
03:29 PM GMT
More Liverpool information from earlier this week
Liverpool have introduced the departure of their extremely rated director of scouting and recruitment Dave Fallows as a part of the continued restructure in soccer operations.
Fallows knowledgeable the membership a number of months in the past of his intention to give up Anfield, however remained for a transitional interval below sporting director Richard Hughes. There is not any indication at this stage he has quick plans to hitch one other membership.
His duties are prone to be absorbed by current workers. It ends Fallows’ 12 yr affiliation with the membership when he was a key member of a recruitment crew hailed for its success in executing the FSG switch coverage.
FSG’s CEO of soccer, Michael Edwards – who labored alongside by all of the membership’s main success, mentioned: “Dave has been a trusted colleague for over 10 years and a close friend for two decades.
“I respect his decision and wish him nothing but success with whatever he does next. He and his family will always be welcome at our club after the contribution he has made. We will miss him.”
Fallows joined Liverpool in 2012. He beforehand labored for Manchester City, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers.
03:28 PM GMT
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03:26 PM GMT
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03:26 PM GMT
Arne Slot urges Liverpool to make assertion at Arsenal in title race
Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot desires to reverse his membership’s downward development of away outcomes at title and high 4 rivals with a press release win at Arsenal this Sunday.
Slot is aware of how consequential victory on the Emirates might be for Premier League hopes, with Liverpool failing to defeat Arsenal or Manchester City final season. Wins in these fixtures would have seen Liverpool end high.
“If you look at Arsenal last season, I think it was seven points between Arsenal and Liverpool,” mentioned Slot.
“The home game was a one-one, the away game Arsenal won. So if we could change the results, which we can’t, to two wins for Liverpool that would have made a difference between the two teams.
“So that’s why if you play your competitor, those games are vital, just like all the others, but maybe these ones even a bit more.”
Liverpool’s broader report towards the remainder of the standard ‘big six’ – City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur – underlines the place Slot’s facet should enhance on 2023-24.
When Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool to the title in 2019-20, Liverpool collected 22 factors from a attainable 30 towards these opponents.
They have gained progressively fewer within the 4 years since, taking 20, 18, 15 and 12 factors respectively.
Parallel to that, Arsenal have turn into high performers towards stellar opposition, taking 19 and 22 factors within the final two seasons – the latter seven greater than any inside that group of six.
So far, Liverpool have already overwhelmed Manchester United and Chelsea this season
“It’s too simple to say if you win those games the league table would have been different,” mentioned Slot.
“Those are the hardest games to win, so you need a certain quality to win those games and if you have that quality then you can compete for the league, in my opinion.”
03:20 PM GMT
The groups are in
Arsenal
Starting XI: Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Saka, Rice, Merino, Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard
Substitutes: Neto, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Nichols, Myles-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.
Liverpool
Starting XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Substitutes: Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton
03:08 PM GMT
An enormous sport in any season, however notably this one
Good afternoon and welcome to dwell protection of Arsenal v Liverpool within the Premier League as Arne Slot’s facet look to return to high spot within the division. Despite coming simply 9 video games into the marketing campaign, this conflict between final season’s second and third-best sides already feels vital on this yr’s title race. Defeat this afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s facet would see them fall seven factors behind Liverpool, who would in flip leapfrog Manchester City in a return to the summit.
Slot has managed to ship a remarkably seamless transition after taking up from Jürgen Klopp with Liverpool profitable seven of their eight Premier League video games thus far this season. Much was mentioned about their comparatively straightforward opening fixture checklist however their 2-1 win towards a resurgent Chelsea facet at Anfield final weekend answered numerous questions over their readiness to go the gap this time round.
It has been an identical story in Europe for Liverpool, with their 1-0 win away at RB Leipzig on Tuesday extending their good begin to the Uefa Champions League to a few video games. Arsenal additionally produced a 1-0 win in midweek, with a house victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, which took them to seven factors from their opening three ties in Europe’s elite competitors.
It has been much less simple within the league for Arteta’s facet, who’ve been shaken up by accidents and suspensions thus far this marketing campaign. William Saliba’s purple card within the 2-0 defeat away to Bournemouth final weekend was Arsenal’s third dismissal of the season. This end result delivered to an finish an unbeaten run of 16 video games in all competitions and marked the third event through which they’ve dropped factors this season – not so coincidentally aligning with the video games they’ve seen purple.
Arsenal’s absentees are prone to play a key issue this afternoon with Martin Odegaard remaining sidelined and it changing into an increasing number of evident because the look ahead to his return goes on of his significance to the crew. Bukayo Saka’s latest hamstring damage has compounded Arsenal’s issues in assault whereas their defence is out of the blue presenting Arteta with a number of dilemmas too. Saliba is suspended whereas Riccardo Calafiori is present process assessments on a knee damage and Jurrien Timber’s availability was “very uncertain” coming into this weekend.
