After nine league games, Arsenal still look like the real deal. Yes, everybody are still doubting them, as the memories of recent seasons are still fresh, and yes, the fans are still pitching themselves not believing what are they seeing so far, but Mikel Arteta and his players are in a winning mode and tonight they continued with great displays so far by winning against the Reds at the Emirates: Arsenal – Liverpool 3-2.4 – @Arsenal have won at least eight of their first nine league matches in a top-flight campaign for the fourth time, after 2007-08, 2004-05 and 1947-48. The Gunners sit atop the table 9+ games into a season for the first time since December 10th 2016 (15th game). Challengers. pic.twitter.com/jj7TzmM3vW— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 9, 2022 Not only it was an entertaining match with chances and goals, but we saw Arsenal footballers playing with character and self confidence which allowed them to take the lead two times, see Liverpool come back both times and still have the strenght and focus to scored the third and winning goal. With this mental strength, this team can be in the title race until the very end. The Gunners have claimed 21 points from their opening eight matches, their third-highest points total at this stage in Premier League history, and a point more than the Invincibles in their last title-winning season in 2003/04 and tonight they extended that series. They have also moved 14 points ahead of Liverpool and all but eliminated the Reds from the title race. Just remember, this team finished 23 points below Liverpool last season. After tonight’s game we can also talk about Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian was just great, scored the first goal, assisted with the second and generally bullied Trent Alexander-Arnold before he was substituted at half time. With him and Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank, Arteta has two young, powerful and quick wingers who are causing havoc among opponent’s defenses.Those lazy supporters who entered the stadium a minute or two later, as they waited in line to get their beer (or fish and chips) missed the opening goal, which was scored after 59 seconds. Saka went through on the right, sent the ball to Odegaard who made a perfect pass behind Alexander-Arnold and Gabriel Martinelli made no mistake: 1-0. Referee Michael Oliver failed to award Liverpool a penalty after Gabriel touched the ball with his arm. Even VAR didn’t react, but the guests equalized from a free play in the 34th minute. Alexander-Arnold sent a deep ball from his own half and Gabriel missed it. Diaz made an assist to Darwin Nunez who couldn’t miss from close range. But Gunners were not to be denied, despite the guests having much more ball possession (nearly 70%) and they scored in injury time. Again Martinelli was among main actors, but this time it was Saka who made a simple tap-in after his assist.Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League matches when leading at half-time dating back to January 1, 2022 against Manchester City and those fans who knew it, were looking forward the second half of the game. Arsenal made a siege around Liverpool’s goal but it was actually the Reds who scored. Jota made a delightful assist in space to Firmino, who replaced the injured Diaz and the Brazilian finished perfectly for the second equalizer of the game. The Gunners continued to be the better team and had a massive chance in the 64th minute, when Tsimikas acrobatically moved the ball off the line after a Saka shot. But the aggression and attacking eventually paid of when refree Oliver awarded the penalty after Alcantara shot Jesus in the leg. After a short scuffle between Henderson and Xhaka, Saka was precise for the third and final lead of the game. Until the end, the Reds couldn’t equalize for the third time and eventually were defeated for the second time this season.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 10SaturdayBournemouth – Leicester 2-1 (0-1)/Billing 68, Christie 71 – Daka 10/Chelsea – Wolves 3-0 (1-0)/Havertz 45+3, Pulisic 54, Broja 90/Manchester City – Southampton 4-0 (2-0)/Cancelo 20, Foden 32, Mahrez 49, Haaland 65/Newcastle United – Brentford 5-1 (2-0)/Guimaraes 21, 56, Murphy 28, Almiron 82, Pinnock 90 og – Toney 54 og/Brighton – Tottenham 0-1 (0-1)/Kane 22/SundayCrystal Palace – Leeds 2-1 (1-1)/Edouard 24, Eze 76 – Struijk 10 /West Ham – Fulham 3-1 (1-1)/Bowen 29 pen, Scamacca 62, Antonio 90+1 – Pereira 5/Arsenal – Liverpool 3-2 (2-1)/Martinelli 1, Saka 45+2, 76 – Nunez 34 Firmino 53/21.00: (3.60) Everton (3.50) Man.Utd. (2.19)Monday22.00: (3.40) Notth. Forest (3.35) Aston Villa (2.35)***odds are subject to change
