Premier League Wednesday night saw Arsenal host the newly crowned champions Liverpool.
Arsenal’s defensive woes continued to affect their latest Manager, Arteta.
This was evidenced in the North London derby defeat at Tottenham.
Liverpool needed at least a point to remain within reach of a chance of equaling Manchester City’s Premier League 100-points haul, and a further hope of breaking the point record.
However, a rare blunder from Virgil Van Dijk and a renewed error from Alisson Becker rued their chances of setting a new record, as Arsenal came from behind to secure a win for the first time against the Reds in as long as 5 years.
Match Review
There was an early warning regarding Emiliano Martinez clearance when Roberto Firmino charged down one of his attempts and blocked the ball onto a post.
But it was Sadio Mane who found the opener in the 20th minute from an Andy Robertson assist, taking his season’s tally to 17.
Yet, an Arsenal side without the presence of their lead striker Emerick-Aubameyang, were handed an opener and a lead.
An under pressure Van Dijk played a loose pass between Fabinho and Alisson, which was met by Lacazette to capitalize on their mistake as he drew the leveler.
The winner came from an Alisson Becker error, who sloppily gave away possession for the French international, Lacazette.
Lacazette snatched an assist as Reiss Nelson drove the ball to the back of the net to put the Gunners in front.
Mo Salah almost got a leveler in the start of second-half, but saw Martinez tip the ball over the crossbar.
While the turn of 90 minutes saw Emiliano Martinez save an Alexander-Arnold’s deflected effort.
Liverpool had almost all possession, but couldn’t get the worst out of Emiliano Martinez who showed class in the absence of first choice goalkeeper, Bernd Leno.
Notwithstanding their past defensive gaffes, Arsenal’s defensive performance was topnotch, artistic, composed and resilient as they remained studded.
Liverpool will be disappointed to miss out on that Premier League points record.
Reactions
Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his side “have to learn” after the Champion’s hopes of setting a new Premier League points record ended as they suffered only their third defeat of the season at the Emirates.
“We have to learn from it, 100 percent”.
“We’ve had sloppy moments before and not been punished for it but this is good because we have to learn from it”.
“Credit to Arsenal for being there and using it”, Klopp said.
“I can’t make something negative from something so positive”.
“We got the points we deserve and we will see how many that will be”.
“These boys played an exceptional season, nobody can take that away from them”.
“I’m disappointed and angry about a few things but the game was good”.
“The attitude was good, but we took a break and that is why we lost the game”.
“That is football, someone is surprised these boys are human beings, I am not”.
“From time to time they are not perfect”, he stated.
Virgil Van Dijk
After the game, Van Dijk credited Arsenal’s win to the errors they made, only blaming himself for the loss.
“the goals we gave them as a present”, Van Dijk told Skysports after the match.
“Until their first goal, it was totally us, we gave them two goals and it is difficult to come back”. We got what we deserved”.
“Until then there was nothing wrong, we played very well”.
“Do it’s easy to blame us having the title but until I made the mistake there was nothing wrong”.
He recognized that ending the club’s 30-year title drought was the priority but pledged to keep fighting till the end.
“I want to win the game, but we can’t change that”.
“We will try to win the last two games but can’t forget we have had a fantastic season”.
“Being champions is a dream come true”, he added.
Opta Stats
Arsenal defeated Liverpool in the Premier League for the first time since April 2015.
This is the first time Jurgen Klopp has lost against the Gunners in the competition (5 wins and 3 draws).
Liverpool suffered their first league defeat in a game in which they opened the scoring since April 2017, ending a run of 83 consecutive league games without losing after scoring first.
This was Arsenal’s first Premier League win against a team starting at the top of the table since February 2016, losing each of their previous five.
Liverpool have conceded 10-goals in their last five EPL away games, as many as in their previous 19-league games.
Sadio Mane has scored six goals against Arsenal in the Premier League, only scoring more against Crystal Palace (9).
Arsenal’s equalizer came from the first error made by Virgil Van Dijk that has led to a goal in the Premier League since March 2019.
Lacazette has been directly involved in four goals in three Premier League appearances against Liverpool at the Emirates stadium.
Reiss Nelson netted his first Premier League goal for Arsenal.
Nelson becomes the fifth different player aged 20 or under to score for the Gunners in the competition this season along with Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli and Willock.
What’s Next?
Arsenal face Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday July 18, at 19:45 CAT, before Premier League game against relegation threatened outfit, Aston Villa on Wednesday July 22, at 20:15 CAT.
While Liverpool face Chelsea on a penultimate Premier League clash on Thursday July 23, at 20:15 CAT.
