February 5 – Arsenal fired themselves back into the Premier League title race following a statement 3-1 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening, now sitting just two points off top.
But on Monday night a Phil Foden hat-trick sparked a convincing win at Brentford for Manchester City who also lurk two points behind Liverpool but have a game in hand.
Brentford had the lead through Neal Maupay’s breakaway goal in the 21st minute, but Foden levelled the
What had looked like becoming a two-horse race suddenly had a third participant with Arsenal’s win.
The question is whether Arsenal can sustain a push for the title this season, having thrown away the lead last.
Arteta’s side impressed against the league leaders, collecting a deserved three points despite Gabriel’s first-half own goal that undid the Gunner’s hard work in the match opening. Architects of their own misfortune, Liverpool gifted the lead back to the home side in the second half before Ibrahima Konate saw red for a challenge on Kai Havertz.
Substitute winger Leandro Trossard sealed the win for Arsenal with a clean finish between the legs of Alisson to give his side a safety goal with two minutes left to play.
The loss has complicated Liverpool’s title charge. Jurgen Klopp has had a whirlwind January where he announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the current season, now paired with a disappointing that immediately re-asks questions of whether the team he has rebuilt have actually got all the parts needed.
Klopp was remarkably composed post-match.
“Congratulations Arsenal, we were not good enough today. They deserved to win,” he said.
“Arsenal definitely started better but we found a way into the game. We had no shots on target in the first half which is how you know something is not 100% right.”
A bizarre mix-up between Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson handed Arsenal the retaking of the lead, as Gabriel Martinelli comfortably gathered the ball and passed it into an empty net.
Speaking on the catastrophic error, Jurgen Klopp said: “A goal like that just shows that the boys are human beings, and makes the things that they usually do even more special.”
Ahead of the heavyweight clash, Arsenal produced a trailer-like video to get fans fired up for the game and remind them of their importance for season-defining games.
Gleaming with his side’s emphatic victory, Mikel Arteta praised the “phenomenal” effort of his players and the incredible voice of the supporters around the Emirates stadium.
“It was a huge game. A game that is going to dictate where we are and where we are going to be against an opponent that demands the best out of you. They demand the best out of each individual and the best atmosphere,” the Spaniard said.
“What my players produced out there was phenomenal. But the fans, they got the best out of every single player.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734892231labto1734892231ofdlr1734892231owedi1734892231sni@g1734892231niwe.1734892231yrrah1734892231