BY ANTHONY PALMER
From the start of the game Arsenal was 5/4 favourites to win, so it ncame as no surprise that the gunners picked their best 11 for the game against the reds. Liverpool’s line up contained Mignolet, Can, Toure,
Sakho, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson, Courtinho, Markovic and
Sterling. The Liverpool team were without Daniel Sturridge who picked up an injury whilst playing an international game for England. Absence of Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard and Skrtel due to suspension,
pending the return of Lucas and the former Gunner Kolo Toure. Arsene Wenger had a full squad (Pretty much) to choose from- Mertesacker was back in guard on defence, Szczesny’s rib injury saw replacement Ospina
play in goal. Wenger’s line-up: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis and Giroud.
FIRST HALF
Immediately at the Emirates Liverpool were on the back foot and an
excellent save from Mignolet came in just the third minute to deny Cazorla. It came from them giving the ball away, which became a dirty little habit to the team and the Spaniard fired a glorious shot low across the goal.
Arsenal’s start was very demanding holding possession and pressing Liverpool, the not going down without a fight attitude was rapidly sensed within the stadium. Mignolet (Again) came to his team’s rescue
after handing the ball over! Toure was caught in possession outside his own penalty area and Ramsey looked destined to score, but the Belgian continued to repeatedly deny Arsenal their glory. Liverpool just starting to settle with Coutinho and Sterling getting ball possession, which was in eye popping dangerous areas from Arsenal’s
perspective. 18 minutes deep and both teams are causing chaos like a
tornado.
A miss from Markovic for Liverpool! A mouth dropping lob pass to Sterling, who was about to slam it into an empty net. A simple pass turned into a nightmare, Markovic over hit the school boy shot and
Sterling couldn’t reach it. Fascinating play from both contending
teams. Both pressing hard and eager to get the ball back when they
lost control. Bellerin scored the first goal in the 37th minute, the most unlikely
scorer on the pitch gave Arsenal the lead at the Emirates. Belleri raced forward from the right back and infiltrated Moreno before bending a scorcher beyond Mignolet. Nothing the Belgian could’ve done, thanks to Bellerin Arsenal took the lead! Three minutes after that shocker, Ozil gave Arsenal their second goal in the 40th. A magnificent free-kick from Mesut Ozil hit the same spot Bellerin did just moments earlier. FIRE! The gunners are on blaze at this point! 5 minutes later Sanchez gave his team a 3-0 lead. Just before the whistle blew he delivered an
excellent strike which went over the top of Mignolet (Haven’t they
all) It “should” have been saved. Eight minutes, three goals yes it
was spectacular! Carving Liverpool hopes and dreams wide open. Great
football!
SECOND HALF
Gabriel came on to replace Koscielny at centre-back and Can was booked
for Liverpool and made his temper tantrum known to the referee. 15
minutes into the second half Aaron Ramsey receives a standing Ovation
as Mathieu Flamini comes on as his replacement. Second goal scorer
Ozil was replaced by Daniel Welbeck in the 73rd minute
Despite Bellerin’s luck he was harshly roasted by Sterling. The
Liverpool player nicked the ball away from Arsenal’s right back and
drew the tackle. Easy decision, Penalty rewarded! Liverpool’s
Henderson scored their first and only goal in the 76th minute.
Henderson cheekily fired the ball home, Ospina tried claiming a goal
but when push came to shove he couldn’t!
A second yellow card for Emre Can, claiming “he slipped” with a tackle
on newly joined Welbeck.
We saw history repeat itself in the second half, scoring just split
seconds before the whistle blew Arsenals Giroud squeezed in a fourth
goal for the gunners. Leaving the reds 3 goals down from any form of
victory. Giroud put the icing on the cake for his team with that 90th
minute goal. Bending the golden ball past Mignolet into that far
corner. The best game I’ve witnessed in a long time. Great for the
gunners this 4-1 smash gives them seven wins in a row and 10 wins in
their last 11. They are officially in second place and a shallow four
points behind the boys in blue Chelsea. With Chelsea coming to the
Emirates shortly maybe the title is still within grasping reach
