Arsenal went back to the top of the Premier League with a 3-2 win over Liverpool. The Gunners got off to a perfect start as they took the lead inside a minute following a superb counter-attack that ended with Gabriel Martinelli turning home.
They began to fall deep after that though and struggled to get out under the pressure of the visitors. Liverpool's pressure eventually told as Darwin Nunez turned home Mo Salah's cross despite a question of offside in the build up. However, right on the stroke of half time Arsenal hit back again with a stunning counter-attack goal where Martinelli this time turned provider for Bukayo Saka.
Liverpool got back level, though, when substitute Roberto Firmino got in behind the Arsenal backline to slot home a fine low finish beyond Aaron Ramsdale despite a good start to the second half. A rollercoaster game then took another twist as Arsenal were awarded a penalty for a foul on Gabriel Jesus that Bukayo Saka slotted home coolly. That would prove to be enough as the Gunners survived a nervy finish to claim yet another win and go back to the top of the Premier League. Here football.london takes a look at some of the moments you may have missed from the game.
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Martinelli's pre-match joke
It was a fantastic day individually for Gabriel Martinelli, who was man of the match by some distance. The Brazilian set the tempo with a goal inside a minute and was superb from then on, forcing Trent Alexander-Arnold off at time due to the brilliance of his display.
He appeared calm and relaxed from the off and arguably even before that. As the Arsenal players took off their pre-match anthem jackets to give to Dennis Rockall, Martinelli was last and could be seen laughing and joking with the kitman as they walked back over towards the dugout together before kick off.
Jesus leads the huddle
If there's one player in this Arsenal team who knows a thing or two about big games it's Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has been a regular for Manchester City as they have consistently battled the very best for the biggest trophies and he's brought that mentality to Arsenal.
After the early Gabriel Martinelli goal, much like Granit Xhaka did following Thomas Partey's goal vs Spurs, Jesus brought the Arsenal players over in the midst of the Emirates Stadium delirium to refocus his teammates. The 25-year-old is already such a leader in this group and he's rubbing off on the rest of the squad.
Odegaard shows why he's got the armband
After the fantastic start Arsenal did find themselves dropping into their shells somewhat and inviting the Liverpool attack on. They were largely in control, but each time they won the ball back, they were so deep that no options were ahead of play for the quick counter-attack.
One man who was keen to change that was Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian may not be the most typical shouty leader in the world, but on Sunday he was keen to get his team up the pitch and could be seen yelling at Ben White to join him in a higher position as Liverpool had a throw-in in line with their own box. Many say Granit Xhaka is the de facto captain of this team, but there is a reason that Odegaard has the armband.
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