At the double: Bukayo Saka scored twice as Arsenal beat Liverpool at the Emirates
(Picture: AP)Bukayo Saka scored a decisive brace including the winning penalty to send Arsenal past Liverpool and back to the top of the Premier League after a five-goal thriller at the Emirates.
Saka netted from the spot with less than 15 minutes remaining on Sunday to put the Gunners ahead for the third time after Gabriel Jesus was fouled by Thiago Alcantara, capping off a much-improved second-half performance from Mikel Arteta’s confident side.
The England winger had earlier put Arsenal in front 2-1 on the stroke of half-time after tapping home man of the match Gabriel Martinelli’s pass unmarked at the back post, only for substitute Roberto Firmino to fire in and level proceedings after being played in behind by Diogo Jota after the break.
Arsenal were 1-0 up inside just 58 seconds on a memorable afternoon in north London, with Martinelli slotting past Alisson after being picked out perfectly by Martin Odegaard for the club’s quickest Premier League goal since 2011, though Liverpool dominated much of the first half from there and deservedly hit back after Darwin Nunez dispatched Luis Diaz’s cross to score his first club goal since the opening weekend of the season.
Another statement victory just a week after putting Tottenham to the sword in the north London derby means Arsenal leapfrog Manchester City once again at the top-flight summit after the champions took back first place by brushing aside lowly Southampton at the Etihad on Saturday.
They sit a point ahead of City with a trip to Elland Road next on the schedule after their return Europa League group fixture against Bodo/Glimt in Norway on Thursday, while Liverpool remain languishing down in 10th place after their worst start to a Premier League season for a decade was confirmed.
The Reds - who lost both Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold to worrying injuries on Sunday - have won only two of eight league matches so far this term and are now a full 14 points off the early title pace, with another massive clash against defending champions City to come at Anfield next weekend.
First though it’s another difficult test as they travel to face Rangers in the Champions League in what is sure to be a febrile atmosphere at Ibrox.
