A brilliant late free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai denied Arsenal a point at Anfield as Liverpool edged a tight contest 1-0.
The Gunners went into the game on a nine-month unbeaten away league run, but the Hungarian midfielder’s 30-yard strike eight minutes from time brought that to a halt, ending Arsenal’s six-game unbeaten streak against the Reds.
Defensive reshuffle after Saliba setback
Pre-match stats suggested goals, but the first half was cagey with chances limited. Arsenal suffered an early blow when William Saliba limped off just four minutes in, replaced by Cristhian Mosquera making only his second appearance. The youngster settled quickly alongside Gabriel, limiting the hosts to a wayward effort from Cody Gakpo.
At the other end, Arsenal created the clearer openings. Noni Madueke looked lively deputising for Bukayo Saka, forcing Allison into a smart stop before another chance was deflected over by Milos Kerkez. Riccardo Calafiori also went close twice, but it remained goalless at the break.
Szoboszlai makes the difference
Liverpool finally tested David Raya on the hour mark when Florian Wirtz forced a save, with Gakpo’s rebound ruled out for offside. That moment lifted the Kop and saw the home side grow in momentum, with Mohamed Salah increasingly dangerous and efforts blocked by Calafiori and Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta introduced Martin Odegaard and new signing Eberechi Eze midway through the second half, with the debutant showing flashes of promise. But with the game finely poised, it was Liverpool who found a decisive moment of quality.
From 30 yards out, Szoboszlai curled a free-kick over the wall, clipping the post before nestling into the net. Raya could do nothing as Arsenal conceded their first league goal of the season.
The Gunners threw everything forward in the closing stages, but Arne Slot’s champions stood firm to protect their 100% start and hand Arsenal their first defeat of the campaign.
What’s next
Arsenal now head into the international break before returning at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, September 13th. Champions League action follows three days later away to Athletic Club, before Manchester City visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday, September 21st.
A bit deflated Gooners?
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Even the pundits thought we looked scared to attack.
@NY after buying all the players Arteta wanted his technical abilities would be testeta. 3 defensive midfielders where is the creativity? Yet he benched EZE and Nwaneri.
From this game I can see having quality players isn’t as important as how to use them and timely substitution.
@Sylva
Exactly. It’s all bout getting your tactics right on the night.
Is Gomez pregnant in the title picture?🤣🤣
Very angry. Arteta lost this game. Worst manager in the league. None of the others would have lost it. Give him another billion of pounds or sack him! Very angry…
This defeat is down to Arteta
Liverpool had a pathetic game today
If Arteta would have been more risk taker then we would snatch the victory
Benching Eze and playing Merino, Rice and Zubimendi was never going to work
That midfield would have had more energy and life Eze, Rice Zubimendi would have started
You’re right, I thought so. Why benching EZE? 3 points dropped!!!!!
Martinelli has become a shadow of his former self. Let’s bench him and give EZE a chance on the left wing.
Why didn’t we buy an out and out left winger?
Well, at least we’ve transplanted the Real Sociedad engine room. 🤦♂️
How many leagues did they win together?
That was part of my sarcasm Reggie. See the little 🤦♂️ symbol.
Agree
Playing not to lose. They did the same thing at Old Trafford and got away with all three points. That’s 5 rubbish halves of football in 3 games.
We didn’t play at old Trafford. We were awful and got away with it.
But that’s different
We went 1-0 up so had something to protect
Today we played for a 0-0 and just invited Liverpool back into the game
We don’t have a coach
Bishop,
You say we don’t have a coach. That’s not strictly true is it, we have it brings the team to every game. 🤣😂👍
Arteta always has fans thinking Arsenal are the underdogs anytime they play against a big team that could actually beat us. We shouldn’t pat ourselves on the back at all because Liverpool aren’t in form and yet we decided to be negative. By the time thir good players get in form they will obliterate teams. So Arsenal never made Liverpool play bad. It’s that Liverpool have been bad.
The most frustrating thing is it was extremely hard for them to score and somehow they managed it while we couldn’t scare their non existent defense even once!
We would have ran riot in that game if we had a manager.
It is clear why Slot managed to win it in his first try while the other is bankrupting the club without anything to show for it.
No worries though, we are going to beat Forest 5 nil and all will be forgotten, until it happens again!
It’s the start of the season and we have spent a bundle of money, to do what? Play like last season. We are too rigid (I said that last season) in our play, we are too slow (I said that last season) in our build-up, we play far too negatively (I said that last season) in our approach. Arteta probably has too much choice now because todays choice, didn’t work. Subs far too late ( I said that last season) and not enough impact. Our left is still poor going forwards and we miss killer early passes. I am worried by Zubimendi, Rice should be our 6 now, he didn’t influence today at all and looks at full stretch when he is attacked. Partey and Rice bossed that position when they played it Zubimendi doesn’t. Wether on not he should be swapped with Rice and he tried further up, time will tell but I don’t see what his job is at the moment and he isn’t controlling his position. Our striker, for all the service he is getting might as well be not there. Unless we play too him, we wasted our money. After ALL the money ploughed into this team, I don’t see our manager making the correct use of it. We, not for the first time, went about this game ALL wrong. Our manager is already being found wanting. Long long long season ahead and I see nothing so far to make me hopeful.
Zubimendi is a worry – thought he looked brilliant with rice in the last preseason game (they appeared to have a great understanding) but he hasn’t done very well since. Partey was more the CDM, whereas I was expecting zubimendi to play as more of a partner to rice – that’s the only way I see it working tbh.
I tend to think he’s got something about him and he’ll improve a lot as he settles into the league and team but it’s not been a great start.
Arteta wanted Zubimendi to play 6. I am waiting to see what sort of decision that turnes out to be. He doesn’t control the 6 position like Partey or Rice did. The ONLY diminutive prem midfield I have seen do that job effectively was Kante. Zubimendi is no Kante. Arteta himself played there and I didn’t think he was that great either at 6. Too small.
I don’t remember kante playing 6 tbh – I’m sure he did at times but he was usually more of a box to box destroyer from what I saw. Makelele was very short and definitely a 6, but a bit bulkier? Mascherano similarly was small, but very aggressive.
Jorginho has played as a 6 successfully before, but, similar to pirlo, more as a deep playmaker than a destroyer, and they had destroyers next to them in the team.
I haven’t seen arteta say he wanted zubimendi to play as our 6. When jorginho played with rice, they had more of a shared role, which I thought worked very well and I was expecting that to happen with zubimendi. We’ll see I guess
I don’t think Zubimendi will cope as a 6.
Playing 3 DM’s and Martinelli is like playing with one’s hand tied behind the back. Safe first approach is not going to get us anywhere and until Arteta becomes bold, we will continue seeing this type of performance in big games.
Arteta was nit brave enough. You would have thought that given the resources at his disposal that he would go for the kill…but no. That cost us the game. Thr players did their bit, only let down by the gaffer.
Noni had a good game. Mouscera too, coming on for Saliba. Calafiori had a good game as well. Unfortunately Martinelli was poor in attack, did put in a decent shift defending though.
I think Arteta is not the coach to win us the league. At this point it’s obvious.
He’s been doing the same thing over and over again.
We need a coach who’s not afraid to go all out against any team for a win. A coach who favours progressive football rather than the bland backward and sideways passing strategy of Arteta.
He had players on the bench who could create but instead stuck with his is bland style in order not to lose.
Where has that gotten us for the past two seasons?
I felt in the first half, a player like Eze would’ve done serious damage to Liverpool if he had started.
Then again is the issue of the timing of his substitutions. Waited till live had all momentum, just 20mins to go before making substitutions.
ARTETA IS A BIG C O W A R D!!!
This man can’t get us over the line I’m sorry. A match we could have won, first he put up a 3 dm 0 creativity midfield against a weak Liverpool backline, still refused to use his sub early. He clearly went to Anfield for a draw and he got what he deserved. We clearly have enough depth now after splashing a lot of cash and yet he still can’t be positive with his tactics in a big match.
It’s early on in the season and we can easily recover. But I hope Arteta is feeling the pressure. I dont see the point in continuing on with him if he comes up empty yet again this season. He;s had 1bill to spend. The mans out of excuses
It was one of those tight top of the table games where respect is given, very cat and mouse, can turn either way on a moment of brilliance. The free kick was the moment of brilliance, in off inside of post, you don’t stop those. Liverpool defended very well throughout for the three points, with Konate outstanding, and they bossed the second half thanks to Wirz who had a great game and made Liverpool tick. The winning free kick came from Wirz drawing a foul. Wirz was very good today, I underestimated him, he’s a very good player.
Nobody thought we would have the title in the bag if we won this one, so neither did we lose the title. It is no more important for us to beat Liverpool to win a title than Liverpool to beat us last season to win the title. Nobody thought we would see the best of new players and the summer window in just the first handful of games this season. So I came away thinking Arsenal are a strong side who have had a great window and will go away from here and compete well across all fronts as the season progresses.
Still question marks over Liverpools strength in depth compared to ours. Our strength in depth could make all the difference in the title race this season. We look perfectly ready to be competitive and consistently hit performance highs.
Missed Saka’s corners from the left. Why did Rice have to take them?
I sometimes wonder what made me support this team full of heart aches☹️☹️☹️
But then all the other teams have had their low moments, just that they’ve had real trophies to console them. I’ve never witnessed Arsenal winning the the EPL and at this rate, I’m more likely to date our hot school cheerleader than witness ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️
I’m just glad Berta is here. As the head of Football, he should ensure Arteta is replaced by Fabregas of he doesn’t win the EPL☹️☹️☹️
Oowww, I’m so sad
In the 2nd half if Arsenal came back with Arteta himself subbed, Pool were there for the taking. Arteta’s cowardice has become contagious among the team. How come you bring on a rookie 15 yo when Trossard and Nwaneri were left out. Berta’s new assignment should be searching a manager who befit the signings. Arteta is not streetwise or shrewd but he is a pure coward. Over cautious and pessimistic
The game was there for the taking. We all saw the same things and can all come to the conclusion that Arteta’s plan was not very cunning today. A brilliant freak of a goal cost us a point, but outside of our gutless tactics some of our players, particularly the midfield let us down today. There was nothing creative coming from Zubes, Rice and Merino. Did we really expect them to be creative? So much finger pointing at Martinell, but he he rarely got the ball because there were so many backwards and misdirected passes. Califiori also had a mixed game. Kept level with Salah but his passing was poor, however I don’t think Skelly would have done better. At this stage of the season, I’m really worried about our midfield. It seems to be mostly plodding along in slow motion, low in energy and definitely lacking creativity in order to get best from our wide attackers. Getting it fixed will make or break Arteta’s season.
What worries me about Liverpool is they consistently find ways to win tight games. Slot is so understated, but there’s clearly something a bit special about him – seems very calm and very sensible, and just makes decisions with confidence. I do find him quite impressive.
That said, it’s very early in the season. Very disappointed arteta opted to start merino in this game, but was hoping it was part of a plan with a late blitz in mind. Didn’t work out if that was the thinking, but in a game decided by a single moment, there’s never any guarantees. It could be that he was going defensive because of the concern of being without two of his trusted men – I really hope that’s not the case because we had obvious replacements available and he needs to trust them. Otherwise the improved squad depth means very little.
That concern aside, it’s clear we’re really trying to address the issues from last season with the signings we’ve made, but still some changes need to be implemented on the pitch. We need to adapt a bit to our striker’s strengths (at least try to play him in sometimes), and to develop a threat on the left. If we keep playing the same way as last season, we won’t do much better, even with the greater squad depth.
I worried for the monies of Kroenkes. Do they have a good carpenter? Arteta is a crystal clear coward. If not today, when to beat Pool? His reliance on set piece goals inevitably will cost Arsenal. Coward Arteta. This Pool team is shambolic. Arteta’s cowardice emboldened them. There is surely some part of the coaching training Arteta must have missed. He’s not a full fledged coach. Top squad but with a yo yo coach. His assistants don’t add value. Heinze who?
All I can say is thank the Lord I’m on holiday and nowhere near a satellite telly
That’s alright SueP you may have been at least briefly tempted to turn off the telly, like me, once you saw the starting selections.
The spectacular free kick only highlight of the match Sue
Arteta was too defensive?
Shots on goal?
Arsenal 18 Pool 9
Corners?
Arsenal 19 Pool 1
Passes Forward?
Arsenal 154 Pool 134
Crosses?
Arsenal 39 Pool 11
GK saves?
Arsenal 1 Pool 3
Shots on target?
Arsenal 3 Pool 2
Possession?
Arsenal 60% Pool 40%
Back passes
Arsenal 100 Pool 51
All the above courtesy of the BBC Sports app.
Now let’s discuss, with the actual stats in front of us, especial the attack minded ones – Pools set piece goal (shock horror) – Saliba’s eight minute injury and the fact that Pool were, supposedly, “there for the tacking” while not having dropped a point so far this season.
Wow!!!!!!! How come at any point did we not look like we could win it with those stats. Mind stats don’t tell the full story.
So what’s the full story Reggie?
You don’t need me to tell you now, do you😂
If Raya kick a long harmless ball straight into Alisson hands it will still count as a shot on target.
We didn’t have a single dangerous attack or near miss for the whole game. All shots on target were harmless.
And Liverpool were more woeful than us yet they went home with all points. No wonder they are champions and we are excuse makers.
Ken are you actually saying he was attacking ?
Dan, more shots, more shots on target, more corners, more forward passes would suggest that, wouldn’t you say?
I’m surprised your not berating the fact that their goal was a set piece product, especially after giving our club so much grief over their set piece goals.
When have I complained about us scoring from set piece goals ?
It’s opinions but we I must have been watching a different game
I personally felt Liverpool sat back so we went okay will pass the ball backwards as well and it was drifting to a 0-0 before a moment of magic
Unfortunately for Arteta it’s happening too many times I fear
Can he be brave and go for the win in three moments ?
Ken, stats are just numbers and the only one that counts is the 0-1 scoreline. And we’ll see too many of these stats, if this is the best Arteta can get out of his players.
Not sure where you got the stats from 😂
Maybe a different Liverpool game .
Obviously did t watch the game Ken as you would have known the stats were completely wrong ,even I had to double take what you had written .
See my apologies below DK and, as you say, I copied them from the wrong game.
I did watch the game of course and should have realised it was wrong – once again my apologies to everyone on JA!!
Accepted ken. I trusted you were right, i thought i was watching the wrong game to the stats. Luckily I was
Ken1945,
With stats like that I’m not letting you anywhere near my books. 😂🤣👍
Silly me eh!! 🤣
I clicked on the Arsenal liverpool ladies game to get the stats 🤢
I couldn’t see how they matched the game, but it was the BBC Sport page after all!!
Should I retire now? 🤔🤔🤔
Ken1945,
It just gets funnier and funnier, your pure quality. Even if it was unintentional. 🤣😂👍
You’re more than forgiven Ken and appreciated.
Stats are just stats. Always need to provide actual context. Anyone who watched the match knows this was essentially a stalemate for 99% of it with little chances from both sides. You’re letting Mikel hide behind numbers. The big stat you failed to mention is the scoreline, 1-0.
These stats are wrong.
Arsenal had just 1 shot on target while Liverpool had 3. And Liverpool dominated possession in the 2nd half was 53%-47% at the end.
Check credible sources for accurate stats, most of you posted above are wrong.
Everything he posted was wrong .
There weren’t 19 corners? 😂
RSH,
Of course there aren’t 19 corners. Every pitch can only have 4. 😂🤣👍
But these stats are not true lol.
I’m in total agreement with you Ken, so many knee jerks on here!
Like ?
I didn’t count 19 corner kicks.
Is that not scandalous, 19 corners kicks, no that’s FAKE UNTIL you outline the minutes each was played.
Analytics arguments mentalism !!!
Can Arsenal just play football please. Passionate football !
Football with panache
Perhaps this is a wakeup call. We had the better team and played the better football but lacked the final product. This is a lesson learnt. It is pointless to keep your best players when you are playing the best team in the league at their home. If we had started with Eze in place of Merino or Martinelli we would have won the game. It is good we have now learnt never to reserve your best players but to start with them. Liverpool got just one free kick which settled the game. There is still a chance to avenge the loss, hopefully by more goals.
You still don’t get the logic behind Arteta’s decisions. He’s simply playing not to lose. The intention is to defend and hope for set piece goal. This was also the plan at Old Trafford and we got lucky.
We need a coach that is not afraid to go for the win against any team. Arteta is not that coach.
David Rusa,
You say lesson learnt. But is it, Arteta never seems to learn from any of his mistakes. Or his arrogance won’t allow him to anyway. 🤦♂️🙄🤷♂️
Madueke a pretender not a winner with no end product. Pool beat us even without isak and guehi. who gets the boot first amorim or arteta? arteta broke the hands of kroenkes just at the 3rd week. cowardice with flesh and blood impersonated with the Basque mikel arteta.
I think we are getting there, coz now the kroenkes won’t hesitate to sack arteta if we don’t win epl/cl or both, seriously how can u win with 3dms and matinelli, we had eze, ode nwaneri and special max but u chose to play 3dms n awful martinelli instead? Arteta is definitely mad like I comment on the starting lineup post.
So like someone commented “betar’s next signing or perhaps his best signing is to replace place arteta with a brave leader who don’t cower and make us look inferior.
All pundits and alike are blasting arteta for his terrible lineup, I hope he change coz the train is moving and he will be pushed out if don’t push his stupid martinelli outta the team and embrace eze,nwaneri ,trossard and special dowman
Also I’ve always have worrys about zubimendi, he’s just another dm like rice, I told Derek then but he said he is a baller but he can’t even ball like partey let alone partey upgrade so far, but I think they’ll get better if we have eze or atleast trossard on the left to boost creativity
Left to me I’ll try rice/zubi, odegaard, nwaneri/special dowman midfield trio
Lastly madueke was lively in attack today but his finishing must improve and I feel sorry for gyokeres, his stupid manager is not giving him team he can work with
Odegaard/merino*
Chelshit is unleashing estenvao, guardiola Bob Oscar but arteta is putting leash on nwaneri and special dowman, I bet yamal will still be a youngster and not a superstar if he arteta manage barca.
Its so annoying we lost to livepoor knowing our foolish coach didn’t unleash our full arsenal
Gyokeres and Martenelli need 1:1 coaching. Both need to be more effectively and need to do more for the team especially in difficult games like today.
I said it before that until change his tactics and become bold to take more risk, we would continue to lose matches ordinarily we would have won. It’s not about buying players but about your approach to the game.
How can a coach always have the mindset of going for a draw each time we are playing a top team? Imagine Arteta playing seven defensive players and three attackers. Why will he give Trosaard and Nwaneri new contracts only to leave him on the bench? Why did he not introduced Eze much earlier? Why can’t he instruct his players to play with Gyokeres? Was he bought to run around the pitch? I said it that Arteta tactics will frustrate our number 9. Until Arteta changes his approach to games, Arsenal will not win any major trophy. You can take it to the bank.
You are writing rubbish and clearly have no idea how to build a winning team, especially if you have been repeating this kind of stuff.
Arteta already has one of the highest win rates of any Arsenal manager in history. If you look at the PL itself most of the ones above him are amongst the greatest managers in history all managing what have been in effect super teams. Several of these managers have had the largest budgets relative to their peers.
It’s understandable that people are upset after a loss but the opprobrium and negativity is really poor.
Very funny comments about holding back. So you are all telling me that Arteta instructed his players not to attack but wait for a set peace?. So he instructed Martinelli not to attack and Gyokeres to just run around ?The players were just not good enough in attack, l don’t think they were instructed to hold back and Eze just joined the team last week. Why should he have started the game ?How many teams have pinned Liverpool back at their home in the last 3 seasons?
So you are all telling me that Arteta instructed his players not to attack but wait for a set peace?. So he instructed Martinelli not to attack
……yes lol
Yes, we actually saw Arteta at one point tell Madueke to pass back rather than take on the fullback who he in fact he had the measure of.