Arsenal maintained control against Liverpool’s attacks, especially in the second half where they had the victory in hand with two shots to the woodwork, and left Anfield with a point after drawing 1-1, enough to maintain the lead in the Premier League.
Arsenal has yet to win at Anfield, having not achieved three points at this venue since the 2012-13 season, with its coach, Mikel Arteta, as a player. But he ended up standing, involved in the game, faithful to his style and without giving up a victory that, at times, was closer to his rival.
The tie does not completely satisfy anyone. What’s more, it leaves the fight for the leadership of the Premier League more than open. None of the first three managed to win. Not even Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, third, who couldn’t beat the bottom team, Sheffield. Neither Arsenal, first, nor Liverpool, second. Only Tottenham, fourth, achieved victory against Everton.
So much setback benefits the current champion, Manchester City, which has one game less and can return to the fight if it wins its pending match on this eighteenth day.
With the top at stake, no one won. Not Liverpool, not Arsenal; in a match without respite, at an intense pace, the one implemented by Jürgen Klopp’s team and that Mikel Arteta’s team took the lead well after four minutes, in a set-piece action, executed by the Norwegian Martin Odegaard who Gabriel Magalhaes took advantage of his header to expose the local defense and their goalkeeper, Ederson.
The Gunners who were more adapted to the situation took advantage. Liverpool, which has been unbeaten in the Premier for ten games, began to react. He got the ball and added speed to the duel. He tied after half an hour. On a long pass from Trent Alexander Arnold towards Mohamed Salah on the right wing. The Egyptian got rid of Oleksandr Zinchenko, entered the area and executed a great shot that beat David Raya.
Klopp’s team seemed to win the game, although the last option before the intermission was for the London team, in the boots of Gabriel Martinelli who shot, with Ederson out of position, outside the goal, a shot that grazed the post when it seemed like a goal.
Upon returning from the locker room, Liverpool enjoyed their best moment. Joe Gomez could have scored but it went slightly wide and then the post came into contact with Harvey Elliot. The later one was clearer, shortly before the last quarter of an hour, in a quick counterattack led by Salah who gave the ball to Alexander Arnold. The winger shot with Raya beaten but the ball hit the crossbar. He had the victory there, but it didn’t come.
2023-12-24 08:14:55
#Arsenal #Draws #Liverpool #Retains #Leadership #Premier #League #Diario
