Arsenal ignites title hopes as Gabriel Martinelli punishes Liverpool's mistake | first division

from the arsenal first division The challenge for the title has its ignition moment. Mikel Arteta and his players knew this was a must-win masterpiece and they would find a way to prevail, climb into second place and reduce Liverpool's lead at the top to a couple of points. Manchester City, who play at Brentford on Monday night, remain within striking distance of the top. We have the prospect of a three-way penalty shootout for the trophy.

Arsenal deserved to win on the balance of a frenetic match, mainly because of the way they controlled the first half. But the surprise was how they put themselves ahead (decisively). On the other hand, it was that kind of wild afternoon, the kind that exhausts managers.

We had already seen William Saliba, one of the most reliable centre-backs in the division, get into a terrible mess with his goalkeeper, David Raya, which led to the Liverpool Tie: own goal by Gabriel Magalhães, forced by Luis Díaz. But now we had the same scenario at the other end to eliminate the feeling that Liverpool were gaining strength.

It was halfway through the second half and it was Virgil van Dijk who suffered a breakdown with his goalkeeper, Alisson, wanting him to deal with a high ball under pressure from Gabriel Martinelli and seeing him completely miss his shot. Martinelli entered the empty goal and Arsenal were on their way.

Liverpool had barely missed a beat since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield on December 23, advancing strongly on all four fronts. But their second defeat of the league season was at the post, confirmed when Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard burst in in stoppage time to embarrass Alisson. Trossard's low shot deflected slightly off Van Dijk before passing through Alisson's legs.

By then, Liverpool were down to 10 men, and Ibrahima Konaté received a second yellow card in the 88th minute for checking on Kai Havertz. Jürgen Klopp had thrown everything he had at Arsenal. Now there was nothing left.

The biggest game of the season needed no preparation, but it was achieved anyway and there was a reminder of what it was all about before kick-off: a replica of the Premier League trophy, adorned with light blue and white ribbons, on the desk of the host announcer at the side of the field.

The danger was greater for Arsenal, who had only won two of the previous 17 league games against Liverpool, and had to deal with the loss of Gabriel Jesús, the striker who felt his annoying knee injury at the worst moment. On the other hand, Klopp could only name Darwin Núñez among the substitutes while Dominik Szoboszlai was injured again. Conor Bradley did not travel after the devastation caused by the death of his father on Saturday.

Arsenal brought intensity from the start and the home fans responded; The Emirates jumped. Arteta had clearly demanded a quick start and there was a moment seven minutes in when he won the ball back for an Arsenal throw-in with an almost manic sense of purpose.

There, numerous Arsenal players were seen cheering on the crowd, also after the announced goal. Following a pass from Raya, Martinelli turned on the afterburner to get away from Konaté before crossing for Bukayo Saka, who had timed his run. Saka's mental connection was not true.

Arteta had started Havertz up front, with Martin Ødegaard in the number 10 position and it was the latter who initiated the move for the first goal. The Arsenal captain sniffed the space between the lines and played a nice first-time pass that freed Havertz, who was one-on-one with Alisson. He had to score and yet Alisson blocked. Unfortunately for the Liverpool goalkeeper, the rebound fell well to Saka, who scored his 11th^th goal of the season.

Arsenal dominated the first half. They won the physical duels (there were times when it seemed like Declan Rice was everywhere) and there were plenty of examples of them showing their personality on the ball, including Ben White. Van Dijk blocked a shot from Ødegaard after Liverpool were robbed as he attempted to play; Gabriel and Martinelli also had half chances.

This Liverpool team rarely fidgets. They had done practically nothing as attackers in the first half, but they always give the impression that they know their time will come.

He did it on the edge of half-time. From Arsenal's point of view the concession was a disaster, Saliba attempting to guide a Ryan Gravenberch ball over the top towards Raya. Diaz bit to force him across where he hit Gabriel's hand and entered. The break between Saliba and Raya was total. Saliba had to take greater control of the situation.

Liverpool looked full of energy at the start of the second half. If the belief had never left them, it now began to pump. The Emirates became a more nerve-racking venue, with Curtis Jones forming a curler just beyond the far post. For Arsenal, Ødegaard saw a shot go wide. Klopp made a move before the hour mark, introducing Núñez up front; Harvey Elliott in right midfield; Andy Robertson at left back. Díaz shot too close to Raya.

Arsenal, however, deepened their determination. They needed something urgently and, after Havertz had shouted in vain for a penalty after a tangle with Alexis Mac Allister, they got it with Martinelli's goal.

The last bars were chaotic. Mac Allister fired inches wide from a corner, while Arsenal substitute Jakub Kiwior headed at Alisson when he should have scored. Klopp switched Díaz to right back and risked Diogo Jota and Núñez as twin forwards. Arsenal stood tall.