Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League table courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
Both sides had chances in the first half, but goals from Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in the space of eight minutes before the break gave the Gunners a commanding lead at the interval.
Jordan Henderson pulled one back from the spot, but Emre Can was then sent off for the visitors and Olivier Giroud capped off the victory with a fourth in stoppage time.
Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early Premier League kickoff, and what a huge match it could prove to be in the race for the top four this season. Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates with both sides in fine form since the turn of the year and hoping to boost their own hopes of Champions League football next season. It should be a cracking match! Let's start with a look at the hosts...
The Gunners come into this match full of confidence, with their Champions League hopes looking safier with each passing week. Defeat today may raise questions about that, but of the six teams currently involved in the race for a place in the top four, Arsenal look to be in as good shape as anybody.
Indeed, victory today would see Arsenal move up to second in the table, with Manchester City not in action until Monday night, when they face Crystal Palace. The Gunners are chasing their best league finish in a decade and, while the top four is the main goal right now, some members of the squad have refused to rule out a late title challenge.
The likelihood of that materialising is fairly slim, with Arsenal currently seven points off Chelsea's pace having played a game more than the leaders, but their form certainly suggests that they can steal second place off City. No team in the league has picked up more points in 2015 so far, with Arsenal boasting the best form in the division in recent weeks.
They have won six matches in a row going into today's game, and their recent form has gone a long way to distracting people from a disappointing exit from the Champions League. Defeats to the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona in recent seasons can be excused, but Arsenal would have certainly expected to make it past Monaco in the last 16.
The Gunners have now won 14 of their last 16 games and have not drawn a match since the reverse fixture between these two sides, when Martin Skrtel headed in a late equaliser. Their last defeat in the league came at the hands of North London rivals Tottenham in February, since when they have a 100% record.
Things are even better at home, where Arsenal have won eight in a row going into this match. It is their best record since moving to the Emirates, with Highbury hosting the last time they went on such a winning streak back in 2005. The Gunners have only dropped nine points at home all season and lost just one of their last 32 league games at the Emirates, a run that stretches back to the first game of last season.
A title challenge from Arsenal hasn't materialised for some time, however, and that is probably mostly down to their form against the teams around them in the table. Victory over Manchester City last time out showed that Wenger is finally learning to adapt his tactics against the big teams, but Arsenal have still only won one of their last 11 home league games against teams currently in the top five.
Liverpool will be hoping to capitalise on such a record as they look to get their own Champions League ambitions back on track. They are now five points adrift of Manchester United in fourth, and defeat today, coupled with a victory for United against Aston Villa later, may put Champions League football out of reach.
A poor start to the season has been Liverpool's major problem, and the fact that they are so closely involved in the top-four race is testament to what a good job they have done turning things around. Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that he doesn't lose more big players this summer and, with the right additions, the Reds could launch another title challenger next season.
They will struggle to lure the top talent to Anfield without Champions League football, however, which is one of the reasons why a spot in the top four is so important. The Reds have been in excellent form in recent months to get themselves back in the race, but defeat to Manchester United last time out makes this match almost a must-win for the visitors.
That United match was a costly one for Liverpool, and not just in terms of league position. Steven Gerrard's sensational red card within seconds of coming on leaves him suspended, while Martin Skrtel is also banned due to an alleged stamp on David de Gea at the end of the match. It really was an action-packed encounter, but the defeat could prove to be a costly one for Liverpool.
That defeat was Liverpool's first in 14 league games, however, while the Reds had also won five matches in a row before the defeat at Anfield. They have won 10 of those 14 league games, and Manchester United are the only team to have beaten Brendan Rodgers's side in the last 18 Premier League matches.
Liverpool's away form will give them confidence going into today's match, however, with the Reds unbeaten in their last six on the road and not conceding a single goal in that time. Six clean sheets in a row is equal to a club record set back in 1966 and repeated in 1972, but another today would set a new benchmark for the Reds.
It has been a testing international break for Liverpool, with Raheem Sterling's transfer saga rumbling on. There was time for festivities, however, with a charity match between teams assembled by Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher going head to head. The likes of Suarez, Torres, Alonso and Reina all returned to Anfield for what ended as a 2-2 draw, with Gerrard netting twice from the penalty spot.
TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline news is that Mesut Ozil returns for Arsenal. He is one of three changes for the hosts, with Hector Bellerin and Per Mertesacker also returning. Liverpool also make three changes as Skrtel, Lallana and Sturridge drop out to be replaced by Toure, Lucas and Markovic.
ARSENAL STARTING XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis; Giroud
ARSENAL SUBS: Macey, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott, Welbeck
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Can, Toure, Sakho; Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson; Coutinho, Markovic; Sterling
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Johnson, Lovren, Sturridge, Manquillo, Borini, Brannagan
What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, there are no real surprises as far as Arsenal are concerned, with Bellerin and Mertesacker returning at the back having been left out against Newcastle last time out. Ospina continues between the sticks, meanwhile, with the summer arrival having firmly established himself as the number one keeper now.
The biggest danger for Liverpool is likely to be Olivier Giroud, who has scored nine goals in his last nine games for the club and was rewarded with the March Player of the Month award for his efforts. He also got a goal for France in the international break and is some of the best form of his career, so the Gunners will be hoping that he can continue that until the end of the season.
In contrast, Alexis Sanchez is going through a relatively quiet spell for the Gunners, but he is still a threat even when not at his best. He was reportedly being chased by both of these clubs during the summer but opted for Arsenal and made an immediate impact. Things have quietened down since, but he was the best player on the park during an international friendly with Brazil at the Emirates during the week, so Liverpool will still need to keep a close eye on him.
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As for Liverpool, the big surprise for the visitors is that Sturridge only makes the bench having struggled with a hip injury during the international break. He was forced to withdraw from the England squad but was expected to be fit in time for today's match. However. Rodgers have opted to go with Sterling in a central role, with Sturridge joining the likes of Lovren and Johnson on the bench.
Sterling was also doubt for this match having missed the England friendly against Italy, but he starts up front with his contract situation rumbling on. The youngster has been non-committal over his future at Anfield, which is a worry for Liverpool, but he can be a real threat when on form and the Reds will be hoping he has a similar performance to the one that ripped Arsenal apart at Anfield last season.
With Skrtel suspended, Toure comes into the back three alongside Can and Sakho, while there is also a return for Lucas in midfield. Markovic is expected to fill in at right wing-back, with Coutinho and Henderson behind Sterling and Lucas sitting in midfield alongside Allen.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Emirates, which means that it is time for a prediction! Both teams come into this match in really good form and, with plenty to play for, they should should go all out for a win. Liverpool are probably in greater need of the three points, but Arsenal have been excellent at home recently and it will be a surprise if they lose today. I'm going for a 2-2 draw.
So that's my view, but how about the Sports Mole sofa? Find out what they had to say about this game in our video preview below:
Arsenal have only lost one of their last seven meetings with Liverpool in all competitions, although they may still be licking their wounds from that solitary defeat. Liverpool came flying out of the blocks at Anfield and eventually won 5-1 on that occasions, but it is Arsenal who have the better of this fixture in recent years.
Indeed, Liverpool have won just one of their last 18 away games against Arsenal in all competitions, losing 10 matches in that time. They have also kept only one clean sheet in their last 18 league meetings with the Gunners, but have not conceded for more than nine hours on the road this season.
KICKOFF: We're underway at the Emirates and Arsenal are immediately on the front foot, with Allen's mistake gifting Sanchez an early chance to fire wide.
This has been a really confident start from Arsenal, who are dominating possession in the early stages and putting Liverpool under pressure in these opening exchanges.
SAVE! Almost an early opener for the hosts as Cazorla drills a low effort towards the bottom far corner from inside the box, but Mignolet gets down really well to make the save.
CHANCE! What a chance for Arsenal to take the lead! Ramsey is clean through on goal and only has the keeper to beat, but once again Mignolet it down really smartly to make a fine save. The ball falls loose in the area, but Toure is there to mop up just before Cazorla can knock it in.
Liverpool just can't get hold of the ball in these opening exchanges. Arsenal have made a very bright start and getting about the visitors, who simply haven't settled yet.
Good defensive work from Can as he uses his strength to ease Sanchez out of the way as the Chilean looked to get on the end of Giroud's pass into the box.
Poor from Toure as his gives the ball away when trying to play out of defence, gifting Arsenal possession in a good position. Ramsey's header towards Cazorla is a little too heavy and the visitors can get it clear, but Liverpool are sure to be punished if they carry on giving the ball away so cheaply.
Interestingly, Liverpool have started with Henderson in the right wing-back role and Markovic further forward in a more central position. It is probably a ploy to keep tabs on Sanchez, but we were expecting Markovic to be the wide man today.
It is still Arsenal who are enjoying all of the early possession, with Liverpool being forced into a lot of defending in the opening quarter of an hour.
Better from Liverpool as Can strides forward from defence to launch an attack. The visitors get plenty of men forward but can't find space to have a crack at goal, with the attack eventually fizzling out after Sterling's cross flew in front of goal.
CHANCE! Oh my word, what a chance for Liverpool to break the deadlock! Coutinho slides the ball through for Markovic, and the visitors have two players in with only the keeper to beat. Markovic is unselfish and tries to square it for Sterling to tap home, but the pass is too far in front of the youngster and Arsenal escape.
Both sides have had a golden opportunity in this opening 20 minutes. It has been an entertaining game thus far, and both sides will feel fairly fortunate to still have a clean sheet in this one.
SHOT! Coutinho looks to add another long-range effort to his recent goal tally, but his curling effort ends up a yard or so past the post. Ospina looked to have it covered too, but the Brazilian found a good yard of space in a dangerous area there.
A promising attack for Arsenal comes to an end as Can steps out of defence to intercept a pass. He then carries the ball out from defence really well, only for Sterling to lose the ball later in the attack.
SHOT! Decent chance for the visitors as Sterling picks the ball up inside the Arsenal half and works a yard to shoot. He could probably carry the ball further forward, but instead chooses to take the shot early and fires a low effort a few yards wide of the target.
A worry for Liverpool as Sakho goes down following a challenge on Ramsey. The Frenchman is moving very gingerly at the moment, but it looks to be just an impact injury so he should be able to continue.
This is a good, end-to-end encounter at the moment. Both sides are playing some good football and looking dangerous when coming forward and it could really go either way right now.
CHANCE! Big chance for Liverpool to get the opener as Henderson comes steaming into the box completely unmarked. It is a fairly simple cross for Sterling to find his skipper, but he puts just a touch too much on it and the opportunity goes begging.
Liverpool are just about edging this game now having weathered the early storm and settled into the match. It has been an entertaining game so far, and the biggest surprise is that it is still goalless at the Emirates.
Arsenal enjoy a good period of possession now as they look to reassert their authority on their game. It has gone this way and that so far, but Arsenal haven't really threatened since those early efforts that Mignolet kept out.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool (Hector Bellerin)
He wouldn't have been many people's choice for the first goalscorer, but Hector Bellerin has opened the scoring here! It is poor defending from Moreno as he lets his compatriot cut inside and beat him in the box far too easily, but the finish is one any striker would be happy with as he curls it into the bottom corner.
Arsenal have a chance to double their lead here as Sakho fouls Ozil in a very dangerous position. This is just about the perfect spot for Ozil...
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool (Mesut Ozil)
The Gunners do get their second of the game as Ozil curls a fine free kick into the corner. Mignolet shuffles a fraction to the left and has his view blocked by Mertesacker, but he probably should still do better with the effort. Ozil curls it to the keeper's side, and the Belgian can't get back across in time as it nestles into the back of the net.
Arsenal have really got the wind in their sails now. Toure puts the ball behind for a corner when he could have let it run through to Mignolet, and from the resulting delivery Giroud rises highest and glances a header comfortably wide of the target.
Those two quick goals from Arsenal have given this game a very different complexion. It was a close encounter before the goals, but Arsenal have a bit of a cushion now and Liverpool have a tough ask to get themselves back into the game.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool (Alexis Sanchez)
Surely that is game over now! Arsenal get a third right on the stroke of half time as Bellerin and Ramsey combine to find Sanchez, who beats Toure before thumping an effort past Mignolet. It is down the middle of the goal, but it was the power that beat the keeper.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool
Wow, what an end to the half that was from Arsenal. It has been a really good game so far, but three goals in the space of eight minutes have surely not put the game beyond Liverpool. Both sides have created great chances in the opening 45 minutes so far and a three-goal lead is flattering for the hosts, but they were clinical during that spell and now the visitors have a mountain to climb.
The opening goal came from an unlikely source as Bellerin came forward before beating Moreno far too easily inside the box before curling an effort into the bottom corner. It was an accomplished finish from the full-back, but the defending from the visitors was really poor.
Ozil quickly made it two, and again it was an avoidable one from Liverpool's point of view as the German curled his free kick into the corner on the goalkeeper's side. Sakho gave away the set piece with a foul on Ozil, and the Arsenal man bent his effort in. Mignolet started creeping to the other side and was caught out as he couldn't get back in time.
The third came right on the stroke of half time, and again there were questions over the goalkeeping from Mignolet. Those in front of him didn't do him many favours as they gave the ball away in the build-up, allowing Bellerin to fizz the ball in to Ramsey, who in turn found Sanchez. The Chilean skipped past Toure on the edge of the box before thumping his effort beyond Mignolet. It was right down the middle, but the power of it beat the Belgian keeper.
It could be even better for Arsenal too, with the Gunners missing a number of chances in the opening exchanges of the match. Mignolet may have been at fault for the second and third goals, but he made two fine saves to deny Cazorla and Ramsey in the first five minutes.
Liverpool have had chances of their own, with Markovic squandering a glorious opportunity when he overhit a pass to Sterling with two players through on goal and only the keeper to beat. Coutinho and Sterling have also had sights of goal, while Sterling had a chance to find Henderson unmarked in the box.
KICKOFF: Arsenal get us back underway for the second half here, and there has been a change for the visitors at the break as Daniel Sturridge replaces Lazar Markovic.
Rodgers is clearly going for this one with the introduction of Sturridge, but it is a mountain to climb for the visitors now. It would be some feat if they were to come back from this.
YELLOW CARD! Emre Can is the first name in the book today for a sliding challenge on Cazorla.
ARSENAL SUB: The hosts make a change early in the second half as Gabriel Paulista replaces Koscielny, who must have picked up an injury.
SAVE! Lovely football from Arsenal as Ramsey and Cazorla link up on the edge of the box, but Liverpool intercept the final pass. The ball comes out to Giroud, who puts plenty on his effort, but it is straight at Mignolet, who holds on.
Liverpool come forward at the other end as Sterling slides the ball through for the overlapping run of Moreno. The full-back returns the ball to the youngster, who works a yard but blazes his effort well off target.
The visitors comes forward again but Sturridge is just a yard short of Sterling's cross into the box, while Arsenal come forward at the other end. They also put a cross into the box which Sakho misses, and that seems to surprise Giroud, who can't react as the ball goes through for a goal kick.
CHANCE! Very nearly a fourth goal for Arsenal as Giroud rises really well inside the box, beating Toure to a cross from the right flank. He plants his header towards goal and can't do much more, but Mignolet reacts brilliantly to make the save.
SAVE! Liverpool struggle to find a way into the Arsenal box as they exchange passes on the edge of the area, and eventually Can is forced into a shot from 20 yards. It is a decent effort, but Ospina is across to make a good save.
Can is playing much further forward as the right wing-back now, and he again picks the ball up around the Arsenal box here. He drops it back to Henderson, but the stand-in skipper's shot lacks conviction and floats over the top.
Liverpool have struggled to get in behind Arsenal in this second half. The Gunners are in no rush to attack with this three-goal lead and, when Liverpool have the ball in the Arsenal half, the Gunners are understandably looking to contain them rather than having one eye on the counter.
ARSENAL SUB: Defensive change from the hosts as Ramsey is replaced by Mathieu Flamini.
SHOT! Coutino, who has been quiet today, goes for goal from 25 yards after the ball sat up nicely for him to have a dig. However, he pulls the effort a few yards wide of the target.
Flamini is fortunate to get away without a card here as he catches Allen on the ankle with a high and late challenge. There didn't look to be any malice in the tackle, but it should have been a card nonetheless.
Liverpool are enjoying more of the possession right now, but they just can't get through this Arsenal defence at the moment. A Liverpool goal now would make things interesting, but there aren't many signs of that coming.
Penalty shout for Liverpool as the ball is lifted into the box towards Sterling, who goes down under the challenge on Bellerin. The Spanish full-back just eased the youngster out of the way, however, and Anthony Taylor is right not to point to the spot.
Sturridge is the latest to try his luck getting behind the Arsenal defence, twisting and turning inside the box. Monreal stays strong, however, and wins the ball off the striker before clearing the danger.
YELLOW CARD! Bellerin goes into the book for a tug on Sterling to prevent the Liverpool man from racing away.
SHOT! Liverpool win a corner and take it quickly before working it across to Can. The German youngster has time to line it up, but he still slices his effort well off target.
ARSENAL SUB: Ozil's work is done this afternoon as he is replaced by Danny Welbeck, who was forced to miss England's friendly against Italy with a knee injury.
Ambitious from Liverpool as a corner is floated out to Henderson on the edge of the box. The skipper can't turn down going for goal, but gets his volley all wrong and slices it well off target.
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool (Jordan Henderson)
Liverpool have a goal back to give themselves a lifeline with just under 15 minutes remaining. It is Bellerin who concedes the spot kick for a sliding challenge on Sterling inside the box, and the full-back is fortunate not to get a second yellow card for the challenge. Henderson steps up to take the penalty and just about squeezes it in despite Ospina getting plenty on it. The keeper may feel he should have saved that one.
We could be in for a very interesting finale to this match now, particularly if Liverpool can pull another goal back in the next few minutes. They have enjoyed 73% possession in the last 10 minutes and are well on top right now.
SAVE! Quick break from Arsenal as Welbeck leads the charge, latching on to a pass from Giroud. He makes his way into the box and beats the last defender, but the angle is against him and Mignolet comes out to make the stop.
Arsenal have retreated into this shells a little after that Liverpool goal, which is understandable. Wenger has often been criticised for refusing to change his style against the big teams, but they are protecting this lead well at the moment.
Arsenal are unhappy as the referee stops play for Henderson to receive treatment. The skipper is quickly back up, however, which only serves to further anger the home fans.
RED CARD! Emre Can (Liverpool)
Liverpool's task was hard enough as it was, but they are now down to 10 men as Can picks up a stupid second yellow card. The German slips a little, which makes his tackle on Welbeck look worse, but it was still a bad challenge and he is deservedly given his marching orders.
Coutinho looks to have a bit of space down the right flank, but he mis-controls the ball and Gabriel is able to come across and make the challenge. The Gunners looks to have seen this one out successfully now.
Sanchez rises really well at the back post to nod the ball into a dangerous area, where Welbeck is waiting. The striker can't get a shot away, however, and Liverpool are able to scramble it clear.
OFF THE POST! Arsenal are inches away from a fourth as they knock the ball about really nicely. Monreal eventually feeds a pass in to Cazorla, whose low strike clips the outside of the upright on its way behind.
There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match, but surely that is not enough time for Liverpool to launch a comeback here.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool (Olivier Giroud)
Arsenal put the gloss on the victory with a fourth goal, and it is now 10 in 10 for Giroud at club level. The Frenchman picks up a pass from Sanchez before dipping inside and curling a fine effort into the far corner with his weaker left foot. That is well and truly game over now.
Welbeck looks to get in on the act as he fires a low strike wide of the far post from a tight angle. He would have been better off looking for a teammate there.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool
Arsenal move up to second in the Premier League table with a 4-1 victory over 10-man Liverpool, then, making it seven wins in a row and nine on the bounce at home. Bellerin, Ozil and Sanchez gave the hosts the lead with three goals inside eight first-half minutes, while a late goal from Giroud sealed the victory after Jordan Henderson had pulled a goal back and Emre Can had been sent off.
That is all we have time for today! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early kickoff as Arsenal deal what could be a fatal blow to Liverpool's Champions League hopes with a 4-1 victory. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
