|
|
90′ +5
That's it from us at the Emirates Stadium. Do stick around on Goal.com, however, for all the reaction from all this evening's Premier League fixtures. Thanks for joining me!
90′ +5
Gerrard strikes it into the wall and there's the full-time whistle! The Liverpool players are surrounding referee Webb and it's not hard to see why! Standing right on the very edge of the area, the ball strikes Fabregas' hand but he's got away with it!! Amazing scenes at the death here but it's Arsenal who come away with the win.
90′ +4
Last chance for Liverpool. It's going to be a Gerrard free-kick from about 25-yards out. Agger is also an option.
90′ +2
They're giving it a real good go are Liverpool but it's just not happening for them. Time's ticking away and with Chelsea losing 2-1 at Everton and Manchester United drawing with Aston Villa, it's turning into a fantastic night for Mr Wenger.
90′
Yellow Card Cesc Fàbregas
90′
Just stoppage time remaining for Liverpool to maintain their impressive recent run. Four minutes to be exact.
87′
Another big chance for the Reds to get back into the game. Degen flicks a header on to Maxi in the penalty area but he fails to get significant contact on the ball and his strike on goal doesn't trouble Almunia. They're running out of time now but it only takes a second!
86′
What a fantastic strike from Ryan Babel. Shades of Lyon away with that effort as he powers forward and unleashes a cracking effort at goal from around 25-yards out that Almunia does well to tip onto the bar and over the top. He's certainly a talented player when he wants to be is the Dutch forward.
84′
Fabregas lashes wide on the volley having been teed up by Walcott. Looked a pretty decent effort although on closer inspection it was miles wide.
82′
Wenger's tightening up at the back by the looks of it as he brings on Bacary Sagna for Bendtner. Still plenty of time left in this one for Liverpool!
81′
Substitution 
Nicklas Bendtner 
Bacary Sagna
Nicklas Bendtner Bacary Sagna
81′
Gerrard swings in the free-kick and that's unconvincing goalkeeping from Almunia to say the least. He throws two fists at the ball with very little conviction but gets away with it. It's decisions like that that make it much easier to comprehend why so many Arsenal fans really don't rate this lad.
80′
Eboue catches Kuyt who proceeds to hop around like a rabbit on a pogo stick. Chance for Liverpool here.
78′
Substitution 
Lucas Ryan Babel
Lucas Ryan Babel
78′
Benitez throws on Ryan Babel in place of Lucas as he chases an equaliser. Going to be a really interesting last 12 minutes! Can the Reds get anything from the game? I wouldn't bet against it you know.
77′
Steven Gerrard bursts into the box in search of a Liverpool equaliser but he goes down under intense pressure from Diaby's challenge. No sign of any penalty appeal from the England man in fairness.
75′
Really was an inviting cross from Rosicky but take absolutely nothing away from Diaby. It wasn't the easiest of headers by any stretch of the imagination and he gave Reina no chance in the Liverpool goal.
72′
Goal Abou Diaby
72′
Diaby nods home from close range to make it 1-0 to the Gunners. Bendtner did well to swivel in the area before laying the ball into the path of the on-rushing Rosicky who flights in a fantastic cross that the France international heads home into the corner of the net. How will Liverpool respond I wonder?
72′
Goal!! It's in the back of the net and it's 1-0 Arsenal courtesy of an Abou Diaby header!
68′
That's Arshavin's evening over. He's been relatively ineffective in fairness and Theo Walcott comes on to take his place.
67′
Substitution Andrey Arshavin 
Theo Walcott
Andrey Arshavin Theo Walcott
65′
Rosicky strikes a hammer of a shot just over the top from around 18-yards out. Really good effort from the Czech star and only inches over.
64′
Yellow Card Nicklas Bendtner
64′
Booking for Bendtner and that looks somewhat controversial! Howard Webb's shown him the yellow card for diving following what looked a really dodgy challenge from Dan Agger in the area. I've seen them given before!
63′
It appears Carragher's withdrawal was not actually attributed to his severed mouth but he apparently felt a tweak in his groin area.
62′
Yellow Card Philipp Degen
61′
Arshavin looks to escape away from Carragher's replacement Philipp Degen and he is rather cynically pulled back. Yellow card for the Swiss full-back.
58′
It really is anyone's for the taking here. The game's perfectly poised and with the results as they are elsewhere, this could be a great chance for either side to make up ground in terms of their Premier League ambitions.
55′
Another chance for Arsenal and Bendtner this time. The Denmark striker tries to slip the ball through for Fabregas but a deflection takes it back to him and he's attempts to slide the ball past the onrushing Reina who does well to smother. Amongst this flurry of chances Jamie Carragher has been forced off with a bleeding mouth.
55′
Substitution Jamie Carragher Philipp Degen
Jamie Carragher Philipp Degen
53′
Straight down the other end and there's a great chance for Rosicky to get a shot on goal. He gallops into the box after a wonderfully threaded through ball from Arshavin but he doesn't set himself properly and the ball drifts out for a goalkick. Much better from both sides.
53′
Terrific defending from Gallas. The France international chases back with David Ngog after Gerrard's neat through ball and gets the tackle in just as his compatriot is about to pull the trigger.
51′
Ironic cheers from Arsenal fans as Gallas gives Almunia a dodgy back pass but the Spaniard deals with pretty well and half-volleys the ball up-field. He's one man who's not flavour of the month at the Emirates amongst many Arsenal fans that's for sure.
48′
Decent effort from Lucas as his drive at goal flies just over the top from around 18-yards out having exchanged passes with Kuyt. Promising start to the second half from the Merseysiders.
47′
Arshavin hits a cross-shot into the side netting having beaten Carragher down the Arsenal left. On a side note, Fabregas hasn't got into his stride as of yet, which could explain why the Gunners have failed to create much.
46′
Liverpool get the second half started...
45′ +2
And indeed that is half-time at the Emirates Stadium. 0-0 here although I'm sure the second half will be a vast improvement. Do stick around...
45′ +1
As we approach half-time here, it's 1-0 to Chelsea against Everton at Goodison Park. Florent Malouda the goalscorer I believe.
45′
Fabregas goes on one of his driving, forceful runs that have been customary with his performances thus far this season but his shot at goal lacks power and Reina gathers with ease.
43′
Not a great deal for either side to get too excited about in this first half. Bendtner and Rodriguez with arguably the only two real chances of the half as Carragher swaps his bloodied shirt for a fresh one.
41′
Yellow Card Maxi Rodríguez
40′
Ouch. That looked nasty! Eboue ducks into a challenge with Maxi Rodriguez who brushes the Ivorian's head and shoulder area with his studs. Booking for the Spaniard.
40′
Yellow Card Gael Clichy
37′
Some great work from Andrey Arshavin - but not where you might expect it. The ex-Zenit St Petersburg forward chases back with Jamie Carragher and manages to buy a free-kick out of the Liverpool defender, who coincidentally is playing in his, shall we say unfavoured role of right-back this evening.
34′
Looks like I spoke too soon with Nasri. He's come back on and tried his best to get back into the game but he's had to succumb to what looks like a head injury. Tomas Rosicky comes on in his place.
34′
Substitution Samir Nasri Tomas Rosicky
Samir Nasri Tomas Rosicky
33′
Arshavin blazes over the top as he strikes a ball on the bounce but the chance was Liverpool's own fault in fairness as Lucas rather needlessly gave the ball straight to Abou Diaby who in-turn laid the ball into the path of the diminutive Russian. Benitez certainly won't want to see his side giving Arshavin many more openings.
30′
Big chance for Liverpool and their Argentine wide man Maxi Rodriguez. The former Atletico Madrid star finds himself with a bit of space in the middle of the Arsenal penalty area but he shoots over the top courtesy of a slight deflection off Thomas Vermaelen.
29′
I'm hearing Nani has been sent off for Manchester United at Villa Park while Wolverhampton Wanderers are beating Tottenham Hotspur. Good news all round for both Gunners' and Reds' fans one would suspect.
28′
Nasri half-volleys at goal following Reina's punch from a corner although Emiliano Insua does well to get in the way of the shot and it comes to nothing.
26′
First big chance of the match presents itself to Arsenal. After good work from Andrey Arshavin, the man that just loves to play against Rafael Benitez's side, Bendtner has a clear opening although he can only shoot over the top without causing Pepe Reina a problem. Rustiness perhaps? Still no excuse.
25′
Martin Skrtel does well to deal with a cross from the right and slide it out for a corner with Bendtner lurking. He's made a good start has Liverpool's centre-back for the evening.
24′
There's hope for us all with that strike! Maxi Rodriguez picks up a bouncing ball in the area and does well to fashion an inch of space for a potential effort on goal. His volleyed strike, however, is ballooned high in the air and is nearer the Emirates roof than Almunia's crossbar. Terrible effort!
20′
As much as I'm fixed to the action happening at the Emirates here, I can report that it's 1-1 at Villa Park with second placed Manchester United tackling Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa. Wayne Rooney not on the scoresheet you may be surprised to hear.
18′
Samir Nasri is back with us now and hopefully in more ways than one as he really didn't look with it as he left the field. Doesn't seem to be anything serious, though, so good news in that sense.
16′
First half-chance for Liverpool. Ngog bursts through and gets onto his right foot with plenty of the goal to aim out but, from around 20-yards out, he fails to really trouble Almunia. Encouraging signs for the traveling support, however.
15′
It doesn't look good for Samir Nasri. He's gingerly getting to his feet but it doesn't look good. Seemingly feeling a little disorientated, that could be his night over. May have just had a slight bang on the head and Arsene Wenger certainly won't want to take any chances.
12′
Nice link-up play between Ngog and Maxi Rodriguez for Liverpool. The latter gets towards the Arsenal box although Emmanuel Eboue does well to recover the situation.
11′
Fabregas strikes a free-kick straight into the wall in what was a really promising position for the Gunners. Similar sort of area to the one he stuck in the top corner against Aston Villa in the not too distant past.
10′
Decent enough start for Liverpool as, without having created anything as of yet, they're not allowing Arsenal to get on the ball and dictate play as they love to do at the Emirates. That said, David Ngog does cut an isolated figure upfront on his own.
7′
First real chance of the game goes to the home side and William Gallas. Cesc Fabregas is charged with delivering the free-kick from the right into the penalty area and Gallas rises high, unchallenged, but his header drifts harmlessly over the bar. The Frenchman should've really made more of that.
5′
Steven Gerrard floats in a free-kick from the right hand side that's not really well dealt with at all by the Arsenal defenders in the box. The ball sails just over the head of the advancing Dirk Kuyt and Manuel Almunia gathers. Could quite easily have developed into a chance that.
3′
Martin Skrtel's given Nicklas Bendtner an early indication of what evening he is likely to expect. The Slovakian catches the Dane from behind with a tough challenge and he certainly felt it! Should be a good battle that one!
1′
Arsenal get us underway at the Emirates...
Anyway, enough idle chatter, let’s get this show on the road. Kick-off is just under five minutes away. Stay tuned!
FACT: Liverpool haven’t won any of their last 12 away trips to Arsenal in all competitions and Andrey Arshavin has scored five goals in his last two games against the Reds.
If you’re looking for Rafa-style facts, you’ve come to the right place. FACT: Neither side has kept a clean sheet in their last 11 meetings in all competitions.
Liverpool starting XI: Reina; Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Insua; Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez; Gerrard; Ngog. Substitutes: Cavalieri, Riera, Aurelio, Babel, Spearing, Degen, Kelly.
Here's tonight's teams - Arsenal starting XI: Almunia; Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy; Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Nasri; Bendtner, Arshavin. Substitutes: Fabianski, Sagna, Rosicky, Walcott, Denilson, Traore, Campbell.
Messrs Wenger and Benitez have already met twice this season, in the league and League Cup respectively, with Arsenal coming out on top and winning 2-1 on both occasions. What odds on a similar scoreline tonight?! I’m sure Gunners fans would happily take that right now.
It’s third against fourth this evening and while Liverpool will be hoping to continue their recent revival that has seen them lose just once in their last nine games, Arsenal will be desperate to recover from consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea.
Welcome to Goal.com UK’s LIVE! coverage of the Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium!
Results
Times In BST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Manchester United |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Manchester City |
23 | 3 |
|
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn |
17 | 4 |
|
Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |
