Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Reds leave it late to oust Gunners as a Kiwior own goal opened floodgates, helping Liverpool pounce upon that chance

Liverpool sealed a famous victory against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as Jakub Kiwior own goal ends dreams of qualifying in the final stages of FA Cup for Gunners. Luis Diaz scored the other goal, thus doubling the cushion, as Klopp’s side reigned supreme over their Premier League rivals.

Liverpool defeats Arsenal

Liverpool has been one of the best teams in the Premier League this season. Banking of the outstanding form of their attacking front three comprising the seasoned Salah, Nunez and Diaz, coupled with strict vigil from Jurgen Klopp, the Reds are looking to emulate their feat of winning the Premier League, which they achieved few years back, as they sit currently on top of the table. Last night, they continued their blitzkrieg form at the FA Cup, when they ousted Arsenal, who are currently experiencing a topsy-turvy season, with a horrendous own goal from Gunners’ defender Kiwior, followed by a dashing strike by Luis Diaz.

Klopp had names his strongest eleven, despite missing their front man Salah, who is currently plying his trade with his country for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The German had started with his traditional 4-3-3 formation with the seasoned trident of Nunez, Gakpo and Diaz on the front line, followed by midfield metronomes MacAllister, Elliot and Jones. Defensive duties were vested upon Alexander-Arnold, Konate, youngster Quansah and Joe Gomez.

As for Arsenal, Arteta started Nelson on the wings, who was accompanied by Havertz and Saka. Midfield duties rested upon Odegaard, Rice and Jorginho, with their traditional backline of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Kiwior shouldering defensive starts, as Ramsdale started between the sticks.

An intense first-half

Although Arsenal had started the game with greater fervor and enthusiasm, the score line at half-time ended 0-0. Gunners’ had made Liverpool suffer with their trickery of moving the ball around, but could barely convert their opportunities to goa scoring chances. It led to a frustrating outing for the home fans, who were increasingly getting confident about the price of losing the game as they were unable to score goals. With a proper striker in the form of Gabriel Jesus out of this crunch tie due to a knee injury, Gunners could not convert their fruitful passes into a goal, as it lacked a powerful finish from every star.

A Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick, a goal-same story

Liverpool’s full-back metronome Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of the clutch players this season for the Reds, Having scored the equalizer against Manchester City at the clash of the titans to stepping up to take match-winning set pieces, he has been instrumental in Liverpool’s record-breaking season. Last night, he showed once again that why he is referred to be as one of the bests in that position.

Arnold took a free-kick on the 80th minute of the game, with the score poised for a climactic finish at 0-0. His swirling ball flew over Gunners’ defense with the goal at sight, but Kiwior, who has been otherwise impressive this season, glanced the ball into his own net, in order to clear the ball, thus giving the visitors an unexpected and a painful lead with ten minutes left on the clock.

Diaz doubles the score line

With the score of 1-0 in favor of Liverpool, Arsenal decided to sprang upon in the remaining few minutes, but Liverpool did not want to lose the plot at the dying minutes of the game. With the clock ticking and the match seconds away from being ended by the final whistle of the referee, Klopp’s brigade decided to hand another emphatic goal with Luis Diaz being the perpetrator, as a lethal break ended in the Gunners’ net, with the Colombian scoring high past English custodian Aaron Ramsdale, thus putting the final nail in the coffin for Arteta.

With this result, this is the third successive loss for Arsenal, as confidence around Arteta needs a swift rebuilding after this game, as they have Premier League and UEFA Champions League to contest for this season.