ARSENAL were undone by a world-beating Liverpool free-kick to lose ground on the next best team in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners took control of the game early but failed to step up the tempo and lacked the courage to hurt Arne Slot‘s side – who were lacklustre for large parts of the game again.
AFPMikel Arteta suffered his first defeat of the season as Arsenal looked to overcome mentality kings Liverpool[/caption]
But the champions did what champions do best and found a way to win in the dying embers of what threatened to be a goalless snooze fest.
This time make-shift right-back Dominik Szoboszlai morphed into Trent Alexander-Arnold and unleashed a rocket free-kick past David Raya from 32 YARDS in the 83rd minute.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated and slated Mikel Arteta‘s side in their first defeat of the season.
DAVID RAYA – 5/10
Very little to do in terms of save-making but looked nervy with ball at his feet, almost costing his side in the first half with a poor pass out down the middle of the pitch.
Fumbled a Wirtz shot that led to a goal, only to have his blushes spared by the offside flag.
Was left red-faced from a stunning long-range free-kick in off the post.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
A bit sloppy in possession but defensively sound when he needed to be.
Arsenal really miss White and Saka’s attacking link-up down the right.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 5
Lasted less than five minutes, hobbling off with an injury to hand Arsenal a nightmare start.
Appeared to have been in pain from the opening seconds after kicking the ball out.
GettyWilliam Saliba limped off after five minutes[/caption]
GABRIEL – 7
Lost his defensive partner early on but was a rock in his absence, and carried the inexperienced Mosquera with him.
A real leader’s performance, similar to that of Van Dijk for Liverpool.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7
Preferred once again to Lewis-Skelly and barely put a foot wrong.
Was aggressive with Salah and it paid off, keeping the Egyptian quiet, and was a threat down the other end.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 6
Lucky not to be booked for a cynical trip in the first half, but kept things ticking over in midfield, sitting deeper and deeper as time went on.
MIKEL MERINO – 6
A workman-like display. No thrills or spills taking the place of Odegaard.
Helped Arsenal nullify the Liverpool transition, but had little impact elsewhere.
DECLAN RICE – 5
Another quiet outing for the England man.
He wasted a good free-kick chance and his corner deliveries were very hit and miss.
GettyDeclan Rice wasn’t his usual self from corners[/caption]
NONI MADUEKE – 7
A lively first half – Arsenal’s best and most dangerous player.
Had Kerkez on toast for most of it and came close to scoring with a neat volley.
GettyNoni Madueke filled in for the injured Bukayo Saka[/caption]
Three things we learned about Arsenal: Lack of creativity, but Arteta’s to blame
ARSENAL never looked like scoring in their cagey 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Here is SunSport Arsenal correspondent Charlie Wyett’s verdict…
ARTETA HAS TO TAKE MUCH OF THE BLAME
If Mikel Arteta is to lead Arsenal to the title, he has to be braver when his team is in a strong position.
The coach left it too late to make his changes, bringing on Eberechi Eze and Odegaard in the 70th minute when Liverpool were taking a grip.
Six points out of nine is not bad but Arsenal have difficult games coming up against Newcastle and Manchester City.
Gunners were unbeaten in their previous 22 matches against the Big Six. That impressive run stretched back to a defeat at Manchester City in April 2023. Importantly, none of their victories came away at arch rivals Liverpool and City.
The last time Arsenal won at Anfield was in 2012 at the start of the Brendan Rodgers era — with Arteta playing that day.
MERINO LOVES AN ANFIELD SCRAP — BUT THERE’S NOT ENOUGH CREATIVITY IN MIDFIELD
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino was a surprise starter, with Gabriel Martinelli the other change from the 5-0 win over Leeds.
Last term Merino scored in both the home and away matches, while he also got a second yellow card at Anfield.
He did his best to unsettle the home defence, particularly at corners, even though teammate Declan Rice failed to cause any problems from the set-pieces.
Players have been warned there will be a clampdown on wrestling between players. But Kop midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was involved in a skirmish with Merino, although a VAR check offered nothing.
Merino should then have been given a booking for throwing himself to the ground theatrically to try to get a pen following another wayward Rice corner.
And despite annoying Liverpool at set-pieces, Merino was unable to unlock the home defence with Noni Madueke Arsenal’s most effective forward by some distance.
Marquee signing Viktor Gyokeres, like in the first game at Manchester United, was once again feeding off scraps.
GUNNERS’ INJURY NIGHTMARE — WILL IT EVER END?
New season, same old story for Arsenal’s medical staff, who certainly earn their dosh. You have to wonder what boss Mikel Arteta does to his side in training.
Arsenal went into this game with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Christian Norgaard all sidelined, while Gabriel Jesus is a long-term absentee.
Captain Martin Odegaard was only fit enough for the bench.
There were under four minutes on the clock when William Saliba fell to the ground after a challenge with Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike.
Cristhian Mosquera — a £13million arrival from Valencia — was quickly stripped and ready.
At Leeds the previous week, he made his Premier League debut because Jurrien Timber is having his minutes managed as he returns from injury.
And he delivered a solid, encouraging performance.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Wasteful when given a few chances on the counter attack, despite some decent movement ahead of him.
Should really have made make-shift right back Szoboszlai sweat more.
VIKTOR GYOKERES – 5
Struggled against the pace and power of Konate, bullied for most of the match.
The one time he found space in behind, he created a chance, but had very little service for himself.
Nevertheless, you would expect more from him. His frustration showed by picking up a yellow by raking his studs down the ankle of Van Dijk.
SUBS:
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA (SALIBA, 5) – 7
A fine display from the young kid being chucked into the deep end. Did not deserve to be on a losing side.
MARTIN ODEGAARD (MERINO, 70) – 6
Stepped up with some energy when Arsenal were searching for a goal.
EBERECHI EZE (MARTINELLI, 70) – 6
The long-awaited debut, but struggled to make an impact. Had one clear dribble towards goal in the box but was not strong enough.
MAX DOWMAN (MADUEKE, 89) – N/A
Arsenal’s transfer deals
IN
Eberechi Eze – from Crystal Palace – £67.5m
Viktor Gyökeres – from Sporting Lisbon – £64m
Noni Madueke – from Chelsea – £52m
Martin Zubimendi – from Real Sociedad – £51m
Christian Norgaard – from Brentford – £15m
Cristhian Mosquera – from Valencia – £13m
Kepa Arrizabalaga – from Chelsea – £5m
TOTAL – £267.5m
OUT
Nuno Taveres – to Lazio – £4.4m
Marquinhos – to Cruzeiro – £2.6m
Jorginho – to Flamengo – free
Kieran Tierney – to Celtic – free
Takehiro Tomiyasu – released
Thomas Partey – released
TOTAL – £7m
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