Arsenal vs Liverpool

An early opening goal from Gabriel Martinelli and two goals from Bukayo Saka was enough to secure a 3-2 win for the Gunners who secured their eighth victory in ...

Liverpool levelled again on 53 minutes as Roberto Firmino scored his 10th goal against the Gunners in just 17 appearances. Speaking in his Liverpool levelled proceedings through Darwin Nunez after 34 minutes but Saka restored the Arsenal lead on the stroke of half-time. We shook hands and we move on. Despite the pressure, The two were spotted having a conversation following the game but Arteta has confirmed that there was no malice in any messages.

Liverpool was dangerous but too open at the back as Arsenal attacked Trent Alexander-Arnold and the Reds' recently-maligned right side.

Hello and welcome to a beautiful early fall day here at the Emirates! Injuries have made things rather difficult for Jurgen Klopp, but the impending returns of Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson are good cause for optimism as Liverpool try to reverse course and keep within touching distance of the top of the table. He is back on and is going to try and run it off. “1-0 to the Arsenal” is the chant here. “Thank you so much to the boys and the supporters. Gabriel’s mistake for the first goal and Saliba being caught out of position for Liverpool’s second proved that Arsenal still have a mistake in them. I saw a team with the right attitude and put in a proper fight and play football and first half we did but in the second half I didn’t see these football moments as much. Their direct running scared the heck out of Liverpool and Martinelli racing free and having the composure to cut inside and find Saka to slot home was a beautiful illustration of their industry and quality. “Arsenal are doing really well and in the situation I think we played a good game. Tottenham didn’t make the most of dragging Saliba and particularly Gabriel out of position on the counter last weekend. Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Inter Milan are together in the “group of death,” while Tottenham were handed a (relatively) easy draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, Sporting CP and Marseille in Group D. When they didn’t they were overrun in midfield and the topsy-turvy nature of this clash reminded me of when Klopp first arrived in 2015 and his high-octane, heavy-metal football was exciting to watch but Liverpool had no balance (especially defensively) whatsoever.

Another display to quieten the doubters about the character of this young Arsenal team. The questions about their capacity to continue in this form are ...

His ability to almost never lose the ball regardless of the pressure applied is almost supernatural. What was noticeable however was his brilliant contribution for the first two goals. Has every attribute that you could ask for in a defensive midfielder in his reading of the attacks and his timing of his tackles, and then there’s the excellent vision with his distribution. Just brilliant considering he was playing in an unfamiliar position. Gets 5 for his defensive work, but a 7 for his distribution which was very good. Was caught flat footed by Jota on the through ball for the second goal but also made several important interventions.

Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-2 to remain top of the Premier League thanks to a controversial penalty won by Gabriel Jesus; Liverpool also felt they should have ...

It goes to the same player and that's where it is complicated. When I saw it and saw the VAR being used, I expected it to be overturned. He checked every single angle and he wasn't convinced it struck the hand. VAR informs referee John Brooks to look at the monitor and a penalty is given. DERMOT SAYS: I actually think it touches his hand - and to be fair to the VAR he studied it, studied it and studied it. VAR takes a long look at the two handballs and deems that Scamacca has not deliberately committed an offence. All I can think is the VAR felt it was too close so wouldn't recommend it. DERMOT SAYS: They feel Nunez doesn't attempt to get the ball and doesn't impact play because it goes through to Luis Diaz, who crosses and Nunez unfortunately scores. INCIDENT: Diogo Jota crosses into the Arsenal box and the ball strikes Gabriel's arm. Oliver and VAR choose not to penalise Martinelli for the contact after crossing. INCIDENT: Granit Xhaka crosses the ball into the Liverpool box and Gabriel Jesus competes for the ball with Thiago Alcantara. It will always default to the referee's decision.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher expected Liverpool to be awarded a penalty by VAR against Arsenal after the ball was handled by Gabriel ...

There’s no evidence to say the referee hasn’t made the correct decision so the VAR should stay out, so it will always default to the referee’s decision." Martinelli crosses the ball, it’s just unfortunate in football, there is physical contact that you don’t anticipate and this is one of those cases. When I saw it I expected VAR to overturn it but they felt it was too close that’s why it wasn’t given." But that incident was also scrutinised by Gallagher who explained why Oliver's decision was unlikely to have gone to a VAR review. Gallagher said: "The minute I saw it, his arm was high, I expected it to be given, I did say I was surprised the Arsenal one wasn’t given. Gallagher said: "I think it raises two issues. Referee Michael Oliver failed to award a spot-kick, and when the incident went to a VAR review, his original decision was upheld. The directive is if the arm is shoulder high or above it’s given, I never thought for second it wouldn’t be penalised. I think not. When I saw the replay of the Gabriel one, I anticipated the VAR would recommend a review, I think he only thought it was too close and if he didn’t recommend it, the referee can’t go to the screen." He said: "All I can think is the referee and the VAR referee thought it was too close in proximity. Without doubt he doesn’t play the ball and there is contact but is it enough to give a penalty?