• Saturday, July 27, 2024
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BusinessDay

Ruthless Arsenal thrash Liverpool to reignite title hope

Arsenal-players-2

Arsenal produced a masterclass performance in their 3-1 win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in a Premier League fixture played on Sunday to keep alive their title hope.

The Gunners have now reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points, throwing the title race open.

Arsenal knew defeat was unthinkable and their cause was helped hugely by two errors from Liverpool’s normally reliable keeper Alisson, who gifted Arsenal the goals that ensured three crucial points.

“We were ruthless when we had a chance and it feels like a big win,” he said.

“At the moment Liverpool are probably the best team in Europe and with the levels they have, they are an incredible team.

“We have come so far and now it is about doing it consistently. Liverpool have done it for six to seven years.

“It gives us momentum and the way we have done it we are back on it. I’m excited.”

After taking an early lead through Bukayo Saka, Arsenal were pegged back late in the first half by Gabriel Magalhaes’s own goal.

But Liverpool gift-wrapped Arsenal’s victory after the break when Alisson raced off his line to deal with a long ball and completely missed his clearance, with Van Dijk also failing to react in time as Gabriel Martinelli slotted into the empty net.

Liverpool had Ibrahima Konate sent off in the closing stages before Leandro Trossard’s stoppage-time strike, which went through Alisson’s legs after deflecting off Van Dijk, sparked a wild celebration from Arteta.