Arsenal moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool after registering a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.
Premier League
Result: Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Date: 04 February 2024
Venue: Emirates Stadium
The Reds made three changes from their thumping win over Chelsea, as rising star right-back Conor Bradley missed out due to personal reasons and Trent Alexander-Arnold was recalled alongside Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch.
The Gunners, on the other hand, recalled Jorginho and Kai Havertz, who joined Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka upfront in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus.
Mikel Arteta's charges had a perfect start after Saka sent them ahead within 14 minutes from the first whistle with a strike from a rebound after shot-stopper Alisson parried a strike by Havertz back into play.
Liverpool pressurized the Gunners after that, with prolonged spells of possession but they were not finding gaps where it hurts the most.
However, the visitors' pressure finally paid off on the stroke of half-time after Gabriel turned a cross into his own net and the sides went to the break level pegging.
Arsenal were more on the front foot early in the second stanza and to revive the Reds' attack, Jurgen Klopp, on the hour-mark brought on Darwin Nunez in place of Gakpo.
However, the Gunners did not lose their momentum and on 67 minutes Martinelli capitalized on a defensive lapse from Liverpool and fired the home wide ahead.
With the game opening up, Arsenal had an injury blow after Saka could not continue in the last 15 minutes and he was replaced by Reiss Nelson.
The Reds' chances of getting the equaliser was affected with two minutes to go, as they were reduced to ten men after Ibrahima Konate received a second booking and was sent off.
Arsenal gained the advantage in the tail end as Leandro Trossard sealed the three points after making it 3-1 in stoppage time from a solo run in the box, where he got past a couple of challenges and unleashed a deflected shot past Alisson.
Mikel Arteta's men closed the gap to just two points behind leaders Liverpool in second spot on the table.
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