Match Report: Eze debuts but Arsenal denied by Szoboszlai’s late strike at Anfield
Arsenal’s 100% Premier League start came to an end at Anfield as Liverpool snatched a late 1-0 win thanks to a stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai. In what was largely an even contest, the Reds secured victory with less than ten minutes to go, ending Arsenal’s hopes of a first win at Anfield since 2012 […] The post Match Report: Eze debuts but Arsenal denied by Szoboszlai’s late strike at Anfield appeared first on Just Arsenal News.
RR aka Rishi-Raj
Arsenal’s 100% Premier League start came to an end at Anfield as Liverpool snatched a late 1-0 win thanks to a stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.
In what was largely an even contest, the Reds secured victory with less than ten minutes to go, ending Arsenal’s hopes of a first win at Anfield since 2012 when Mikel Arteta was still playing for the club.
Strong first half but no breakthrough
The Gunners made a bright start despite suffering an early setback. William Saliba was forced off after only five minutes with a leg injury and replaced by Cristhian Mosquera. The young defender slotted in well and even went close to scoring with a header from a Declan Rice corner on 18 minutes.
Arsenal looked sharp on the counter. Gabriel Martinelli couldn’t convert a promising break, while Noni Madueke – making his first start in place of the injured Bukayo Saka – caused constant problems down the right. His half volley from a corner was brilliantly denied by Alisson after 23 minutes. Riccardo Calafiori also went close twice just before the break.
Liverpool, by contrast, created little. Cody Gakpo fired wide early on, while David Raya gifted Virgil van Dijk a golden chance with a misplaced pass, only for the Dutchman to fail to hit the target. The champions looked far from their best, and Arsenal went in frustrated not to be ahead.
Szoboszlai delivers the killer blow
The second half saw momentum shift. Around the hour mark Florian Wirtz thought he had opened the scoring, only for Gakpo to be flagged offside in the build-up. Gakpo then tested Raya again, while Mohamed Salah began to grow into the game with efforts blocked by Calafiori and Rice.
Mikel Arteta introduced Martin Odegaard and £60 million signing Eberechi Eze, who came on for his debut and almost won a penalty after a tussle with Joe Gomez. Madueke also went close again when he dribbled past van Dijk, but Alisson was equal to his effort.
With the game seemingly heading for a stalemate, Liverpool struck. On 82 minutes Szoboszlai curled a free-kick from 25 yards past Raya, clipping the post on its way in. Arsenal pushed hard in the closing stages and thought they had a late penalty when the ball struck Szoboszlai in stoppage time, but VAR waved it away.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville summed it up afterwards, saying: “Liverpool have edge to win big matches, Arsenal don’t” – a verdict that will sting supporters after such a promising first-half display.
What are your thoughts on the game?
Liam Harding
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The post Match Report: Eze debuts but Arsenal denied by Szoboszlai’s late strike at Anfield appeared first on Just Arsenal News.
