Arsenal vs Liverpool Review

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Alexandre Lacazette's late equaliser gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw in an entertaining clash with Liverpool at The Emirates on Saturday

Liverpool hit the woodwork twice through Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk during a frantic but goalless first half and had a goal from Sadio Mane disallowed for offside, which has prompted criticism from fans and pundits alike, and yet again reinforces calls for VAR in the Premier League.

Milner's ball over the top of Arsenal's defence found Firmino, who poked the ball against the post only for the ball to fall into Mane's path. He tapped home, but the flag was up, despite Mane being offside from the first phase of play, but behind the ball for Firmino's effort at goal.

Leno then saved well from Van Dijk after the defender took the ball down well in the area and shot, before Lacazette struck just wide from an angle at the other end.

The visitors took the lead through James Milner in the 61^stminute, after Bernd Leno had pushed a Mane cross into his path, but Arsenal drew level through an Alex Lacazette finish from 12 yards, after going round Alisson and then cutting back inside to curl one into the right hand corner. 

The result means Liverpool go top of the Premier League, albeit temporarily ahead of Manchester City's clash with Southampton on Sunday, while Arsenal remain unbeaten in 14 games.

The first half was end to end, with several chances for both sides. Arsenal dominated the first 20 minute’s but allowed the Merseyside team back into the game for a brief spell, with Mane’s goal being disallowed, and van Dijk’s one on one miss all coming in a quick period. 

Henrikh Mkhitaryan got up above an uncertain Alisson to head just wide of goal from a deep cross, and suffered a hit from Alisson, as some Arsenal fans called for a penalty kick to be given, cries that referee Andre Marriner ignored. 

Lacazette then had a goal correctly disallowed himself for offside, and Liverpool should have gone into the break ahead as Leno's missed punch allowed Van Dijk to glance towards goal and off the post.

Arsenal fell behind just after the hour mark as a Sadio Mane's left-wing cross was pushed away by Leno, but it was unfortunately into the path of Milner, and the English midfielder drilled it into the net from 15 yards for his 50th Premier League goal.

Arsenal had the chance to equalise straight after, as Lucas Torreira could only shoot straight at Alisson as the play opened up in front of goal, and if he put it either side of the keeper would have equalised, while Firmino and Van Dijk both went close with headers from corners as Arsenal struggled to deal with the dominance of Liverpool from set pieces.

Arsenal got their leveller with eight minutes remaining as substitute Alex Iwobi played Lacazette through on goal; and as he half-rounded Alisson, many fans of the Gunner’s thought the chance may have gone, and didn’t expect him to shoot, but as he turned back to goal and found the far corner with a sweet finish, the Emirates erupted and the score remained the same for the remainder of the match

Man of The Match – Lucas Torreira

Lucas Torreira dominated the midfield for Arsenal, who certainly won the midfield battle, and he gained possession 10 times for his side, as well as winning 80% of his duels and having a pass completion rate of 89.1%. Fans went wild for Torreira’s tackles in the middle of the park, sometimes celebrated them as much as a goal.