Liverpool recorded their first away win over Arsenal
since 2000 to heap more misery on the Gunners - who
saw Emmanuel Frimpong sent off and lost injured centre-back
Laurent Koscielny in a 2-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium.
Samir Nasri impressed for the Gunners, despite being
expected to join Manchester City, but Arsenal's luck
was out after Aaron Ramsey's own goal and a last-minute
strike from substitute Luis Suarez handed the visitors
victory.
Arsene Wenger - who now has half his first-choice team
out because of suspension or injury - must regroup his
squad for next week's crucial Champions League play-off
second leg in Udinese and the small matter of a trip
to Manchester United.
Nasri - whose £22million move to City is, according
to reports on French TV, said to have broken down -
did not applaud the crowd as the teams came out of the
tunnel, and was then jeered by some sections of the
Emirates Stadium faithful when his name was announced.
Liverpool showed early intent, as Dirk Kuyt - who netted
a late penalty deep into stoppage time to earn a 1-1
draw here last season - drilled a low, angled drive
goalwards.
New Arsenal captain Robin van Persie looked lively
as he nicked the ball out on the right channel and floated
over a cross which Martin Kelly stabbed behind for a
corner.
On eight minutes, Frimpong was cautioned for squaring
up to Jordan Henderson as the Liverpool midfielder tried
to take a quick throw-in.
Koscielny added to Wenger's defensive problems when
he pulled up with what looked like a lower back injury
on 14 minutes and had to be replaced by youngster Ignasi
Miquel, the Spaniard making his Premier League debut.
Liverpool almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Andy
Carroll's towering header at the far post brought a
brilliant save from Wojciech Szczesny.
The visitors were in full flight now, with Henderson
sending a tame header straight at the Arsenal keeper
following another quick break down the left.
Charlie Adam then tried an audacious chip from the
halfway line, which had Szczesny backpedalling, but
flew over the bar.
Arsenal finally mounted a meaningful attack after 30
minutes when Frimpong's low drive from 20 yards was
pushed wide by Jose Reina.
Nasri then showed what Arsenal would be missing when
he picked up the ball in his own half, dashed forwards
and turned Liverpool inside out before unleashing a
25-yard strike which curled past the post.
As the Heavens opened for the start of the second half,
Liverpool continued to frustrate Arsenal.
The visitors broke quickly into the Gunners box on
55 minutes, with Carroll laying the ball back to Kelly
- and his snapshot struck the outside of the post.
Arsenal eventually started to up the pressure, but
lacked a decisive pass in the final third.
Andrey Arshavin turned Kelly and fed van Persie at
the near post, but his goalbound flick was kicked behind
by Reina.
With 20 minute left, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men
when Frimpong was shown a second yellow card when he
left his foot up in a 50/50 with Lucas, right in front
of the referee.
Liverpool snatched a fortunate lead on 78 minutes when
as Suarez darted into the six-yard box, Miquel's clearance
cannoned off Ramsey's chest and back over the keeper
into the net.
A miserable afternoon for the Gunners was compounded
in the final minute when Suarez tapped in from close
range following a quick counter-attack.
|
