After the derby against the rival Tottenham last week, MIkel Arteta’s men had another big match to negotiate, for the 10th matchday. Once again, the Gunners put in a top-class performance, created a huge atmosphere at the Emirates and delivered a jubilant crowd when Michael Oliver blew the final whistle. The winning spirit that has driven them since the beginning of the season was still in evidence and allowed them to snatch the three points with the last goal of the match, scored in the 76th minute by Bukayo Saka from a penalty that Gabriel Jesus won.
Before this final goal, the men in red and white had led twice. The first time, it was hard to get a quicker result. Gabriel Martinelli wasted no time before unleashing the game’s first flash of brilliance, scoring after 57 seconds and a very good pass from Martin Odegaard. However, Liverpool continued to play well in the first half and then equalised through Darwin Nunez in the 33rd minute. A draw at half-time would have been logical, but after 5 minutes of extra time, a dazzling counter-attack, Martinelli bursts through, crosses low and Saka takes the ball from point-blank range and slips it into the back of the net.
In the second half, the Liverpool side’s move was well executed and Roberto Firmino was at the end of the move. In the 53rd minute, he brought the two teams level again. But the rest of the second half showed why Arsenal are currently at the top of the Premier League. A team that is often irresistible, where the collective is at the forefront, with a mental strength that is matched by few others in the division. And it was at the end of a phase of intense domination that the Gunners managed to take the lead for a third time, without ever losing it again. The rhythm imposed by the North Londoners tormented and pushed the visitors to the foul with the mini but real contact on the foot of Gabriel Jesus in the box, leading to the penalty symbol of victory.
And if it was a question of regaining their leadership position, it was because Manchester City had done the job beforehand by crushing Southampton with notably a goal from the inevitable Erling Haaland.
Next appointment for Arteta’s team : a trip to Elland Road next Sunday to face Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United.
