Arsenal secured a big win in the Premier League title race this evening, beating league leaders 3-1 at The Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's side knew that they could not afford to lose this fixture, with a defeat meaning they would have went eight points off the top of the table. However, it was clear right from the start of the game that they were the more well drilled side.
Whereas Liverpool lacked any sort of incision in attack, Arsenal had no trouble carving open the opposition defence. They took the lead through Bukayo Saka in the 14th minute and looked likely to add one or more two before halftime.
However, a moment of madness at the back allowed Liverpool back into the game just before the interval.
"It's a MESS of a goal!" 😬
The Emirates is silenced, Liverpool are level 🔴 pic.twitter.com/lu2kj2iY26— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024
The second half was a more even affair, but another defensive lapse was to be the deciding of the game.
This time it came from Liverpool, with Virgil van Dijk and Alisson's mixup allowing Gabriel Martinelli to tap the ball into an empty net.
"HOW can that happen?!" 🤯
Liverpool fans, look away 🫣 pic.twitter.com/yS6bbPy9Gm— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024
Arsenal would go on to win comfortably from that point onwards, with a third goal from Leandro Trossard in injury time putting the result beyond all doubt.
This victory moves them to within two points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
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Roy Keane hammers Virgil van Dijk for Arsenal performance
It was no surprise to see Arsenal turn up in this game, but the manner in which Liverpool came to perform came as quite the shock. Jurgen Klopp's side have been in excellent form in recent times and would have had ambitions to win this game.
They weren't helped by a number of individual errors from key players. Virgin van Dijk, in particular, had an uncharacteristically poor game.
As well as the error for the second goal, he was caught out of position for the opening strike of the game.
Saka gives Arsenal the LEAD! 🔴
What a touch, what a finish! 👏 pic.twitter.com/N2npXMKNgu— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024
For the third, he likely could have done more to close down Trossard and stopped him from getting a shot away.
He's MEGGED Alisson! 😱🥜
Mikel Arteta's reaction says it all ⚡ pic.twitter.com/pvgc5U1hcr— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Roy Keane criticised the Dutchman for his performance and felt that he had a part to play in all three Arsenal goals.
🗣️ "Van Dijk's just got to head it!" @Carra23 and Roy Keane discuss the mistake from Virgil van Dijk for the Martinelli goal pic.twitter.com/mIKpZR43U7
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024
He got that wrong (for the first goal). If you go out, you've got to get some sort of contact on the ball or make a tackle. He ends up in no man's land, I think it's really poor defending from an experienced player...
Liverpool defensively and the goals they gave away, they were like a pub team today...
I think defenders are complicating the game now. Just go and head that ball (for the second goal). It's straightforward. He has been like that from the start of the game, even with some of his passing.
People like them being casual, I don't. Switch on and smell the danger, go and head the ball. He's a big strong boy...
Trossard can't believe his luck (for the third goal). He's thinking 'someone has got to close me down', he can't believe it and is almost reluctant to shoot. The goalkeeper has got to save it.
Look at van Dijk, you've got to come alive and smell the danger. It's almost like 'am I too cool to dive in or make a lunge?'
It's too little, too late. I blame him for the three goals. He's entitled to have a bad game of course, but to give up three goals in such a big game, it could cost them at the end of the season.
Virgil van Dijk has been in brilliant form this season, but he certainly was well short of his on this occasion.
Liverpool still sit top of the league, but there will certainly be a sense of lose momentum on the back of this result. As well as that, Manchester City can move top of the league if they win their two games in hand.
We are certainly set up for a n intriguing title race over the coming months.
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