Gunners Firmly Grasp Top Spot After Overcoming Liverpool in Entertaining Encounter

ARSENAL 2 - 0 LIVERPOOL

LIVE - Santi Cazorla 19', Ramsey 59'

KICK-OFF:  Saturday 2 November 2013 at 5:30pm (GMT) 

(GAMEWEEK 10) at Emirates Stadium, London.

By Nisar Khan

LONDON - Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey struck home emphatically for the Gunners in their victory over Liverpool as the league leaders thwarted the visitors' attempt to topple them.

Rejoice: Santi Cazorla celebrates in front of fans after scoring the opener

Liverpool got the game underway and showed a glimpse of a threat early on with Luis Suarez almost getting on the end of a long ball after moving off Mertesacker.

The visitors formation was already working in the way Rogers wanted, as Sakho moved forward from the back along with Henderson pitching in on some early attacks. 

Arsenal were stringing together a few passes in the early stages, but it was a tough task against the visitors whose players continued to press and press. 

Typical Arsenal would come close to opening the scoring, as Thomas Rosicky had a chance on goal with a great one-two pass. The shot was parried for a corner by Mignolet, and the corner was cleared back out to the middle of the park.

Jordan Henderson almost caught Arsenal off guard, as Santi Cazorla was dispossessed. Luis Suarez was awaiting the pass, and it opened up a huge gap for Henderson to run, but after some hesitation, he attempted to pass it to Sturridge allowing the keeper to intercept. Early let-off for Arsenal, Henderson could have struck that and put them in trouble.

The early impressions of the game in the first ten minutes or so were clear. The game was being contested in the middle of the park. Liverpool's five midfielders were standing toe-to-toe with Arsenal's midfielding prowess. 

Liverpool had a very promising start to the game, but the complexion would change instantly when Santi Cazorla opened the scoring.

Sagna powered down the right flank, crossed it into the Spaniard whose powerful header rattled the woodwork. However, he pounced on the rebound to bomb it into goal.

GIF: Santi Cazorla scores

GIF: Santi Cazorla's goal from the perspective of the GoalCam

And with that goal, Arsenal seemed to instantly take a threshold of the game. Henderson and Gerrard were dispossessed in the midfield, and Mignolet was forced a save. Another dangerous ball came in, but fortunately for Liverpool, not close to any players.

Bacary Sagna was the first recipient of a yellow card in the game after taking down Suarez when he looked to break. Some Liverpool players were in temporary disarray as the advantage was not called. Steven Gerrard took the free-kick, but although the header forced a save from Szczęsny  it was offside. 

Steven Mignolet once again was brought into action to deny Aaron Ramsey after Arteta put him through. Moments later, Cissokho would receive a booking for a rash, frustrated tackle on Bacary Sagna. The free-kick prompted another save from Mignolet, who was steadfast in eliminating any threat.

As half-an-hour of play came in the Emirates, the game settled down with Arsenal having more possession. An early bright start from the visitors had been turned around from a goal, but neither team were playing badly. Arsenal came off an onslaught of chances to Liverpool, meanwhile a chance fired back from the Reds simply was not good enough.

Aaron Ramsey could have set up for Arsenal's second in the 32nd minute, as Giroud set him open for a cross with a lovely lay-off. However, the Welshman's cross went over the men into the box, and Cissokho cleared to safety.

Although looking dangerous on their attacks, Liverpool managed to counter them due to last-ditch errors from the Gunners. On the other hand, Liverpool were not effective on the break.

Lucas Leiva's error in the midfield could have costed Liverpool as Ramsey pounced on the ball, but lack of support up front for Arsenal left them as easy pickings for the away-side's defenders.

Arsenal's determined defending was on full display when they broke down a threatening spell from Liverpool on the edge of the box. Suarez looked to turn through two defenders, but he was kept at bay firmly.


On the brink of half-time, Santi Cazorla had another shot at goal after his chance came from a let-up in possession from the visitors. It went wide and Mignolet was not needed on that instance.

The first half whistle blew ending a very entertaining forty-five minutes of football. Liverpool came out all guns ablaze before Santi Cazorla's goal against the run of play would change the complexion of the game and put Liverpool on the back foot. For Liverpool, the problem is the let-ups in possession, as they lost it numerous times in the first half. Arsenal could have put a few more past, but due to Mignolet's effort and lack of support up front, this was not the case.

Santi Cazorla has a crack at goal (Image Courtesy/Credit: PremierLeague.com)

Liverpool made a change in the start of the second half as Coutinho replaced Cissokho. A logical substitution as Cissokho had a poor first half, and maybe the Brazillian would offer a spark needed.

Arsenal had a slow start to the second half but soon would get into the flow with a series of close chances from Giroud and Ramsey. Liverpool once again slowed down, and when Ramsey had the opportunity, he indeed made light of it in stunning fashion.

Awaiting for the ball to bounce, Ramsey looked to have plenty of time on his hands before a long-range strike into the top corner. Stunning goal that made it a long way to go for Liverpool.

GIF: Ramsey's stunning strike for Arsenal's second goal

With that goal, Arsenal had an instant grip on the game with Liverpool looking unorganized and shaken up with an hour of play passed.

Victor Moses came on for John Flanagan, as Liverpool looked to cut down their deficit in a much more attacking manner, of course.

Arsenal's first substitution of the game came seventy-one minutes in as Nacho Monreal replaced Thomas Rosicky. Their second came around six minutes later when Kieran Gibbs made way for Vermaelen after picking up an injury.

The visitors almost pulled one back with a troubling spell from Coutinho's crosses. After a clearance fell out to Gerrard, he sent the through ball down to the Brazillian crossing it in and Sturridge fed it to Suarez whose shot went out for a corner in Liverpool's best spell of the game.

Arsenal seemed to grow more certain as the game progressed, and made it clear with substitutions for a more relaxed playing style.

Liverpool continued to work however, as they looked to get one back and put them on track for another, it almost came when Luis Suarez shot went past the post, but had he fed it to his striking partner Sturridge, it would have been a certain goal.

But Liverpool were unable to snatch the goal late on, as the full-time whistle blew with Arsenal winning 2 - 0. A huge win for Arsenal.

THE BREAKDOWN
Breaking down the game with analysis and the main headlines

FIRST HALF: Liverpool Come Out Storming, But Cazorla Goal Changes Things Drastically
Liverpool had a ferocious start to the first half, and Santi Cazorla's goal came against the run of play. But the goal helped them overcome Liverpool and they struggled to keep up. Brendan Rogers' side may have went into the break trailing, but they were not playing particularly bad.

THE BATTLE: Middle of the Park
As predicted, the game was contested and to an extent won in the midfield. The clash of formations was entertaining to watch, but Arsenal managed to overcome them and keep their lead.

THE PROBLEMS: First Half Difficulties
What cost Liverpool or at least put them at risk was there loss of possession that became a relatively regular occurance in the game. Meanwhile Arsenal's attempt to extend their lead were thwarted by the lack of support up front.

BELIEF: Arsenal Going Forward
With a tough schedule ahead, a win over rivals is big for the club. Something definitely for solidification and a big win. Five points clear.


MAN OF THE MATCH
Who was the best player in the game?

Aaron Ramsey
A terrific strike from Aaron Ramsey was not the only reason why he is the Man of the Match. The Welshman had plenty of possession and created plenty of chances. Hard-working throughout the game and a great outing for him and his teammates.



THE FINAL SAY
The game in a summary with analysis.

A fantastic game of football. Liverpool had a great start to the game but Arsenal managed to ware them down and had a great response. The goal against the run of play turned things around and put the odds in Arsenal's favor, thus allowing them to control the game before capitalizing on the win. Liverpool did well, but the better team won. Great game.

Arsenal finished the day five points clear at the top of the table following their win over Liverpool.

With a tough schedule ahead that sees Dortmund in the week and Manchester United on Sunday, the victory is a great set-up going forward.

Liverpool were unable to keep at the pace and Arsenal were able to take control, but a great effort from both sides that sees Arsenal the victors.

Arsenal prevail in a hard-fought contest at the Emirates to defy Liverpool's early onslaught. The Gunners secure another weekend at the top with more hard games to follow.

 By Nisar Khan - Read more articles from this author

TheSportMatrix.com

 - Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

Follow @_TheSportMatrix