By Opta Analyst | Created at 2024-10-29 21:22:15 | Updated at 2024-11-06 00:14:09
1 week ago
Arsenal twice threw away a lead against title rivals Liverpool, but they may blame injuries to key players for doing so. Look back on an enthralling game with the best facts and Opta data on our Arsenal vs Liverpool stats page.
Arsenal and Liverpool played out an entertaining draw at the Emirates Stadium to leave Manchester City top of the Premier League table, but a point will likely suit both teams, neither of whom would have wanted to lose this crunch game.
The hosts may be the more disappointed, though, having twice taken the lead, only for injuries to hit them hard and ultimately prove their downfall.
Arsenal came flying out of the blocks, Bukayo Saka putting them ahead after just nine minutes after he ran on to Ben White’s brilliant ball in behind and fired in his 50th Premier League goal. Aged 23 years and 52 days, he became the youngest Arsenal player in Premier League history to reach a half century of goals.
Liverpool struck back just nine minutes later with a set-piece goal as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner was flicked on expertly at the near post by Luis Díaz for Virgil van Dijk to turn the ball into the net.
That equalising goal wasn’t a sign of things to come, though, as the hosts quickly regained control of the game. They had the better chances in the remaining minutes of the first half, and the pressure they had built up told on the stroke of half-time when Mikel Merino headed home Declan Rice’s teasing cross from a free-kick out on the right to put Arsenal back in front.
However, Arsenal’s luck turned after the break when Gabriel Magalhães went down holding his knee. He tried to play on but was eventually forced off, unable to continue.
That was the kind of injury news that Arsenal really did not need. Saka had been a doubt for this game having missed the last couple – and he wasn’t fit enough to last the full 90 – while captain Martin Ødegaard remains out and Mikel Arteta’s side were also without the suspended William Saliba, Gabriel’s dependent partner in central defence.
Gabriel’s withdrawal meant this was the first time since 2 May 2023 (vs Chelsea) that Arsenal had neither Saliba or Gabriel on the pitch in a Premier League game.
Their record without Saliba has been well-documented, and for some, it will have come as no surprise that they would surrender their lead, especially after their defence had been further decimated when Jurrien Timber was also forced off.
With nine minutes of the 90 remaining, Mo Salah fired in his 11th goal in 15 Premier League appearances against Arsenal. Only Harry Kane (14) and Wayne Rooney (12) have scored more goals against Arsenal in the competition.
There were to be no more goals and the teams earned a point apiece to leave City one point clear of Liverpool at the top of the table and Arsenal a further four points back in third.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Arsenal vs Liverpool stats from their Premier League meeting at the Emirates Stadium.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
Arsenal vs Liverpool: Post-Match Facts
- Arsenal have failed to win back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since New Year’s Eve in 2023 (v West Ham and Fulham). They’ve also failed to win two of the four home league games they’ve scored first in this season (W2 D2), one more than in the whole of last term (scored first in 14 – W13 D1).
- Arsenal have scored 27 goals from set pieces in the Premier League since the start of last season (excluding penalties); the most of any team in this period. Their 21 headed goals are also the most of any side in the competition since the start of last term.
- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored 11 goals in 15 Premier League appearances against Arsenal – only Harry Kane (14) and Wayne Rooney (12) have netted more often against the Gunners in the competition.
- Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in 10 goals in eight appearances in the Premier League this season (3 goals, 7 assists); the fewest games by an Arsenal player to reach 10+ in a single campaign since Cesc Fàbregas in 2009-10 (6 games).
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