Arsenal must be sick of the sight of Liverpool’s forwards and they will be glad they don’t have to play them again this season.
The Gunners seem to be the Liverpool forwards favourite opposition to play against and that run continued tonight as Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino both scored to secure a 2-0 win.
Jota has now scored seven goals in as many games against Arsenal for Liverpool. Firmino has also scored nine goals against Arsenal in all competitions, more any other opponent since he joined Liverpool.
They were two hammer blows to Arsenal and they came in the space of eight second-half minutes to stop Mikel Arteta’s side in their tracks.
Before that the Gunners had done well, going toe to toe with Liverpool and keeping them quiet throughout the first-half.
It was a controlled and measured performance from Arsenal, which is not always what you expect from them in big games.
That certainly wasn’t the case at Anfield earlier this season, where Arsenal were dismantled 4-0, but there was no collapse here.
Instead they battled and fought to the end, with Liverpool’s firepower and defensive errors from Arsenal proving the difference.
Arsenal will certainly be disappointed by the manner of the Reds’ goals. The first saw Jota beat Aaron Ramsdale at his near post, while Firmino ghosted past Gabriel for the second.
Other than that, Liverpool were kept fairly quiet. But in those eight second-half minutes they underlined their ruthless edge. Arsenal dropped off and they were punished.
It helped that Liverpool are blessed with extreme firepower, summed up by the fact they were able to bring Firmino and Mohamed Salah off the bench.
Few sides could compete with that and for Arsenal, who remain fourth in the Premier League, their focus must now quickly shift to Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.
Partey shines again
It is not often that Fabinho is outshone in midfield, but Thomas Partey certainly gave him a run for his money tonight.
The Ghanaian was once again at his brilliant best, breaking up play and spraying passes around. He looks a different player to the one who struggled at the start of the campaign.
Fabinho was excellent too, keeping Martin Odegaard very quiet, but Partey more than held his own.
Suddenly he looks like a player for the biggest games and, as Arsenal chase down fourth spot, that will be crucial. As the pressure increases they will need their big players to step up - and Partey looks ready to.
Cedric holds his own and impresses despite defeat
Before the game, Cedric was singled out as possibly being Arsenal’s weak link, however he did well tonight.
Luis Diaz has been one of the form players in recent weeks, but he was kept quiet and hooked around the hour mark.
Arsenal will want Takehiro Tomiyasu back for the run-in, however Cedric has at least given Arteta belief that he can step up when needed.
The Portugal international has had a difficult time at Arsenal since joining, but finally he feels like a viable squad player.
