Posted on Saturday, 3rd March 2012 by Akshay
If ever there was a smash and grab victory in football, Arsenal epitomized it today at Anfield.
Outplayed for the majority of the game, only a moment of sublime quality from Robin Van Persie in stoppage time was the difference between the two teams. The victory now means that Liverpool trail Arsenal by 10 points with a game in hand and have an uphill task to finish in the coveted fourth spot.
Despite there being fears over the fitness of Van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen and Tomas Rosicky all three made Arsene Wenger’s starting line-up, as the Gunners fielded the same team that hammered Spurs.
Liverpool started off on the front foot pinning Arsenal back in their own half with a series of early corners. The movement and trickery of Luis Suarez especially causing the Arsenal centre-backs all kinds of problems.
On the 17th minute the pressure told as Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Suarez played a delightful one-two with Dirk Kuyt in the Arsenal penalty area. As Wojciech Szczesney came out to narrow the angle the Uruguayan went down under minimal contact from the Arsenal goalkeeper. Referee Mark Halsay, after a little bit of a delay, pointed to the spot. Kuyt stepped up to take the spot kick, Szczesney guessed right and made a good save, but the save from the rebound was world-class. After saving the penalty the rebound fell to Kuyt, who fired it at goal, only to be denied by the Pole, who scrambled across his goal and clawed the ball away.
Liverpool, however, did make the breakthrough five minutes later. A low cross from Jordan Henderson into the Arsenal box was turned in accidentally by Laurent Koscielny. In an attempt to clear the ball, Koscielny swung a left foot at the cross and instead sliced his clearance and the ball crashed into the net.
Arsenal were lucky not be two down moments later. A swift counter attack by Liverpool saw Henderson have a shot at goal which Szczesney did well to save, the rebound fell to Suarez who could only hit the outside of the post.
Against the run of play though Arsenal equalized. Bacary Sagna produced a fantastic cross from the right hand side and Van Persie, who got goal side of Jamie Carragher and had the easy task of heading the ball home passed Pepe Reina.
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Tags: Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsene Wenger, Bacary Sagna, Dirk Kuyt, Gervinho, Jamie Carragher, Jordan Henderson, Kieran Gibba, Laurent Koscielny, Luis Suarez, Mark Halsey, Mikel Arteta, Pepe Reina, Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott, Thomas Vermaelen, Tomas Rosicky, Wojciech Szczesny, Yossi Benayoun
Posted in View From The Sphere | Comments (7)
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March 3rd, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Super Gunners,keep the fire bunning.
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March 3rd, 2012 at 9:30 pm
You write…
‘and Van Persie, who got goal side of Jamie Carragher and had the easy task of heading the ball home passed Pepe Reina.’
It was far from easy, he was under intense pressure from Carragher and a fair way out from goal, he didn’t have a lot to aim at at the near post but gave Reina no chance. Give RVP the credit that goal deserved.
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March 3rd, 2012 at 9:46 pm
More is expected of walcott,even as fans call for his head due to inconsistency.We need theo at his best all the time & with miyachi adapting more to the English game,he will form a formidable team wt walcott(at his best)on coming back.Lest I forget,Hazard scored a brace tdy,wt an assist in the qualifiers.
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March 3rd, 2012 at 10:05 pm
I guess Samir Nasri got it wrong. The Gunners won ugly today.
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March 4th, 2012 at 11:32 am
I just couldn’t go away your site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information an individual provide on your visitors? Is gonna be back continuously in order to check out new posts
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March 4th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Heads up bro, gunners 4 life.
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March 4th, 2012 at 11:41 am
Heads up bro, gunners 4 life, Chesny and song is a gud player.
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