Missing many opportunities, Arsenal paid the price when losing 0-2 to Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup
Pressed Liverpool all match and created ten scoring situations, but Arsenal could not score. Liverpool, absent many key players on the day, had to play defensively, waiting for opportunities from counter-attacks and set-piece situations. Jurgen Klopp’s students scored two goals at the end of the match from such plays, causing sadness for Arsenal for the fourth time in the last five matches at the Emirates.
Liverpool players celebrate Luis Diaz’s winning goal at Emirates Stadium, London, England on January 7. Photo: Reuters
Arsenal failed when they held every advantage over their opponents, from home field, force to motivation. Liverpool lost pillars on all three lines due to national duty and injury, including striker Mohamed Salah, midfielder Wataru Endo and midfielder Virgil Van Dijk. It is also difficult for Klopp and his team to concentrate fully on the FA Cup third round match, when ahead is the League Cup semi-final with Fulham.
In that context, the away team was soon overwhelmed by the home team’s fierce attack. Arsenal rushed forward early and almost opened the score in the 12th minute, when Martin Odegaard hit the crossbar in an open position. In the first half, Mikel Arteta’s students also created many other turbulent moments, but Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz or Ben White all missed. Despite being pressured, Liverpool was able to leave a warning to their opponents when Trent Alexander-Arnold hit the crossbar at the end of the half.
Nelson (white) could not score despite dribbling past goalkeeper Alisson. Photo: Reuters
The second half saw a tit-for-tat battle between both sides. Arsenal continued to create many storms with the appearance of Gabriel Martinelli, but Liverpool also gradually had clear opportunities on the counterattack. After Darwin Nunez narrowly missed the goal, it was Diogo Jota’s turn to hit the crossbar with a header.
Just two minutes after Jota failed to eat, Liverpool suddenly took the lead. From Alexander-Arnold’s free kick in the 81st minute, Jakub Kiwior scored an own goal. In the remaining 10 minutes, Arsenal put all their effort into the attack. Not only could they not equalize, the home team also conceded a second goal when Diaz kicked the roof of Aaron Ramsdale’s net in the final minute of injury time.
Arsenal ended 2023 with two consecutive defeats, then started 2024 with a loss. The season is becoming increasingly difficult for Arteta’s teachers and students, as they were eliminated from the FA Cup and gradually fell behind in the Premier League, five points behind Liverpool. For the fourth year in a row, Arsenal stopped early in the prestigious domestic Cup arena.
For Liverpool, the opportunity to win four is still intact when they pass the third round of the FA Cup, reach the semi-finals of the League Cup, hold the top of the Premier League table and participate in the Europa League knock-out round.
Squad:
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior (Smith Rowe 88), Rice, Jorginho (Nketiah 81), Odegaard, Saka, Nelson (Martinelli 62), Havertz (Trossard 88)
Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Trent, Quansah, Mac Allister (Graveberch 59′), Jones (Clark 76), Gakpo (Jota 59), Elliot (Bradley 76), Diaz, Nunez.
