One of the most common (and probably the worst) phases in football is that the team which doesn’t use its chances will be punished for it, and again, it showed tonight in the third round of the FA Cup. Arsenal hosted Liverpool and totally dominated the game, created 18 total shots (five on target) but missed so many good opportunities and were punished for it with an unfortunate own goal by Jakub Kiwior which got them out of the FA Cup and gave them third straight defeat in all competition: Arsenal – Liverpool 0-2.Deadlock: Broken 🔓@LFC have lift-off!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/1GNRgi9Nsl— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 7, 2024 Arsenal have won their past three FA Cup meetings with Liverpool and tonight they had numerous chances to make that four in a row, so they can only blame themselves for failing to do that. Kai Havertz will have (another) sleepless night as the German forward again missed some good opportunities (this time three), while the Reds won the game without having even to shoot on goal. The visitors had only three shots on target, the first one being after 70 minutes of football, and were defending deep for most parts of the game, but in the end capitalized on their opponent’s mistake, while Diaz scored the second goal deep in injury time. To be fair, Liverpool did have some opportunities and hit the woodwork twice, but it was ultimately Kiwior’s mistake which led to their victory. The Reds have started their run of games without Mohamed Salah with a win, while Arsenal is now four consecutive games in a row without a win (one draw, three defeats).Signed ✍️Sealed ✉️Into the fourth round 🏆Luis Díaz books @LFC’s spot!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/lwRYLVJYoh— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 7, 2024 Aaron Ramsdale, Jorginho and Reiss Nelson replaced David Raya, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli who started in a 2-1 defeat from Fulham last week and it was Nelson who came up with an excellent chance after just three minutes of football, but didn’t used it well. Then it was time for Kai Havertz to take one of his many changes in this match, after that the Gunners hit the bar in the 11th minute and at that point, it looked that the leading goal was gonna come in matter of minutes. But the game slowed down a bit before the home team pushed again in the last 15 minutes. It was again Havertz with a miss, White’s shot was tipped brilliantly by Alisson and the German squandered another chance in the 44th minute. Liverpool, who showed absolutely nothing, hit the bar in injury time through Alexander-Arnold.1 – Arsenal have won one of their last seven games in all competitions, losing each of their last three; it’s their fewest wins over a seven-game period under Mikel Arteta. LDWDLLL. pic.twitter.com/qMJA0A7fmb— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 7, 2024 The game was not so intense in the second half but the Gunners kept pushing, until the Reds finally showed some life and started to threaten the home team after the 70th minute with quick counter attacks. Jota hit the bar after a free kick, Ramsdale had a magnificent save from Diaz but it was unlucky Kiwior who scored first in the 80th minute. Colombian forward eventually scored, but deep in injury time, when Arsenal kept pushing forward, trying to get a late equalizer. FA CUP1/32 FINALSSundayShrewsbury – Wrexham 0-1 (0-0)/O’Connor 75/West Ham – Bristol City 1-1 (1-0)/Bowen 4 – Conway 61/WBA – Aldershot 4-1 (3-0)/Chalobah 7, Malcolm 15, Dike 27, Fellows 87 – Bray 95/Peterborough – Leeds 0-3 (0-1)/Ampadu 34, 90, Banford 47/Luton – Bolton 0-0Man.City – Huddersfield 5-0 (2-0)/Foden 33, 65, Alvarez 37, Jackson (og) 58, Doku 74/Nott.Forest – Blackpool 2-2 (1-2)/Dominquez 39, Gibbs – White 56 – Gabriel 25, Morgan 27/Arsenal – Liverpool 0-2 (0-0)/Kiwior (og) 80, Diaz 90+5/Monday23:15: (9.50) Wigan (5.70) Man.Utd. (1.25)***odds are subject to change***
