WTTGT Reporter: Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
Arsenal suffered their first loss of season against Liverpool thanks to two late strikes after being reduced to ten men.
With a host of players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions the main talking point was the inclusion of wantaway midfielder, Samir Nasri. There was also a Premier League debut for summer signing Carl Jenkinson.
Arsenal started the first-half with on the front foot, but failed to test Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal and then in the 13th minute, Laurent Koscienly broke down under no challenge and he had to be replaced by another Premier League debutant in Ignasi Miquel.
The substitution seemed to swing the momentum in Liverpool’s favour with both Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson forcing good saves from Wojciech Szczesny. With Liverpool dictating the game, young midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong stepped up and reignited the Gunners, with a strike which was turned round the post, minutes later Nasri sent a shot just wide as they finished the half the stronger but went in at the break on level terms.
The second half started with rain lashing down. Martin Kelly saw a shot clip the post for the Merseyside boys, up the other end Robin van Persie saw his low effort scrambled wide by Reina as the Gunners looked for the all important opening goal, but in the 70th minute the game changed when Arsenal midfielder Frimpong saw red after clipping Lucas following a 50-50 challenge. As he walked off the pitch the Emirates crowd stood and clapped for the youngster acknowledging a very good performance.
But with Arsenal down to ten men, Liverpool went for the game by sending on Luis Suarez and he had a hand in the opening goal for the visitors as an intended pass for him was cut out by Miquel, but his clearance deflected of the unlucky Aaron Ramsey and flew over Szczensy into the net. As the fans tried to push the Gunners forward gaps were left which was duly exposed by Suarez again, as he slotted into an empty net to seal the points.
A courageous performance by a young Arsenal team though Liverpool were well worth the three points. The problems the Gunners have are for all to see and with two massive games coming up and the transfer window closing soon; it is the biggest 11 days the club may ever face.
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