Arsenal moved to within four points of Premier League leaders Chelsea courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
The hosts scored three goals in eight minutes at the end of the first half, with Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez all getting on the scoresheet to give their side a comfortable lead at the break.
Liverpool gave themselves hope when Jordan Henderson pulled one back from the penalty spot, but an Emre Can red card and late Olivier Giroud strike ended any chance of a comeback.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at whether Arsenal deserved to run out such comfortable winners.
Match statistics
ARSENAL
Shots: 16
On target: 10
Possession: 49%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 7
LIVERPOOL
Shots: 13
On target: 2
Possession: 51%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
The scoreline is a tad harsh on Liverpool, but there is little doubt that Arsenal deserved all three points from this match. The hosts could almost have been out of sight within five minutes as they were denied by two early Simon Mignolet saves, while their prolific period before the break all but ended the match as a contest. Liverpool certainly did not deserve to be three behind at half time, but mistakes at either end of the field contributed to their downfall.
Things may have been different had Lazar Markovic not put too much on a pass for Raheem Sterling with only the keeper to beat and the scores still goalless, while Sterling himself also squandered an opportunity to find an unmarked Henderson in the box in the first half. The opening 45 minutes contained chances for both sides and Liverpool could have easily gone into the break ahead rather than trailing by three goals.
Arsenal took their foot off the gas a little in the second half, with Liverpool enjoying the lion's share of possession after the break, but the hosts never looked in any danger of letting their lead slip. They were always comfortable and still posed a threat on the break, which paid dividends with Giroud's late strike. The Gunners will be flattered by a three-goal winning margin, but they are worthy of the victory.
Arsenal's performance
One of the main criticisms of Arsenal in recent seasons has been their performances against the other big teams, but they were impressive this afternoon. They began the match very brightly and could have been two up inside five minutes but for some good work from Mignolet. Liverpool responded and the hosts were fortunate not to fall behind during a good period for the visitors, but their three goals in eight minutes really put the game beyond the Reds.
They were more clinical than Liverpool and punished the visitors' mistakes before the break, affording them the luxury of taking things a little easier after the interval. They let Liverpool see more of the ball in the second half, but maintained a threat on the counter and were never in any real danger of squandering their advantage. Henderson's penalty raised a few question marks, but the Gunners did a fine job of limiting Liverpool's sights of goal in the second half.
Giroud's late goal capped a very good victory for Arsenal, which now makes it seven on the bounce and nine in a row at home in the Premier League. They move up to second for a couple of days at least and, with four points separating them from Chelsea, the possibility of a late title challenge is not out of the question if they can keep this form up.
Liverpool's performance
Having gone 13 league games without defeat, Liverpool have now lost two in a row, and both have been very damaging. The Reds took a bit of time to get going in this match and were fortunate to still be level after only five minutes. They did eventually settle and will feel that they had the chances to take control of the game, with Markovic and Sterling both wasting really good opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half.
Liverpool were architects of their own downfall this afternoon, with mistakes in the final third being compounded by a poor 10-minute spell at the end of the first half that effectively ended the match as a contest. Brendan Rodgers will feel that all three of Arsenal's goals in that spell were avoidable, but it was a big ask for his side to recover following that collapse just before the interval.
They made a decent fist of it in the second half, but Arsenal kept things tight at the back and Liverpool struggled to get in behind the Gunners. Just two shots on target speaks volumes for how little they threatened after the break, despite their possession. They could find themselves eight points off the top four at the end of the weekend which, with just seven matches remaining, is a tough ask. Their Champions League hopes may well have been ended by this defeat.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Alexis Sanchez: There were no standout candidates for this award today, but Sanchez gets the nod for his energy levels throughout. Arsenal were constantly moving and getting about Liverpool, with Sanchez setting the tempo. The Chilean also got his name on the scoresheet with a thumping effort and picked up an assist for Giroud's late goal.
Biggest gaffe
Liverpool's defending was suspect for all three of Arsenal's goals in the first half, while Bellerin's challenge on Sterling to concede the penalty was a clumsy one. However, the gaffe of the game goes to Can, who needlessly picked up a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Danny Welbeck. The German's sliding tackle was made to look worse due to a slip, but it was still a careless piece of play. He will now miss the FA Cup game against Blackburn which, with Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard also currently sidelined, is the last thing that Liverpool needed.
Referee performance
The officials got a couple of decision wrong today, but Anthony Taylor was right with all of the big calls. He correctly awarded Liverpool a penalty for a foul by Bellerin on Sterling, while Can left the referee little choice but to send him off in the latter stages. Arsenal could have also been reduced to 10 had Bellerin picked up a second yellow for the foul that gave away the spot kick, but Taylor opted for leniency on that occasion.
What next?
Arsenal: The Gunners will look to make it eight victories in a row away to Burnley next Saturday.
Liverpool: Liverpool, meanwhile, turn their attention to FA Cup duties now as they face Blackburn in a quarter-final replay at Ewood Park on Wednesday.
Barney Corkhill
