Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal: Anfield remains the boogey destination for the Gunners as Liverpool maintain perfect start to season
Arsenal came into the game needing to beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time since 2012. It was always going to be a tall order, particularly without Bukayo Saka or Martin Odegaard, who was only fit enough to make the bench.
New boy Eberechi Eze was also named on the bench, and Arteta chose to go with Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke as the left and right wingers respectively. Early in the game William Saliba was taken off due to injury and replaced by Cristhian Mosquera, but there was no drop off, with the Spain U-21 international fit for the purpose.
The game saw a cagey first half where both teams struggled to fashion anything in the way of chances and Arsenal’s most tense moments came via corner kicks.
The Gunners had a lot more control than their opponents in the middle of the park though. Liverpool seemed unsettled and the gameplan was to advance the ball quickly to their forward line, although Arsenal’s organisation kept Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo rather starved of the ball.
Madueke showed some early eagerness to run straight at Milos Kerkez but the left-back was up to the challenge and showed the willingness to battle.
In the second half, however, Liverpool had a lot more verve about their play and Arteta’s side dropped off slightly. Soon the chances that were non-existent in the first half began to rear their heads for the champions.
Florian Wirtz’s left-footed half volley was palmed by David Raya; Liverpool managed to get the ball into the net in the subsequent scramble, but Cody Gakpo had been offside when Wirtz struck. The German then attempted a similar strike minutes later with his right foot, but it was smothered.
The game remained closed and began to look like it would need something special to unlock it. That moment came eight minutes from time, when Dominik Szoboszlai curled an absolute wonder of a freekick from 30 yards out, the ball kissing the post as it went in.
Arsenal stirred and began to pile men forward, but it was too little, too late and the champions stood strong to see it out.
