Arsenal paid the price for a slew of missed chances and were punished as Liverpool got more dangerous, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick off Jakub Kiwior’s head breaking the deadlock with seven minutes remaining.
Liverpool’s victory was sealed in the dying seconds when Luis Diaz sent a powerful finish high beyond Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half, with Martin Odegaard hitting the crossbar and Reiss Nelson and Kai Havertz having chances to reward Arsenal’s pressure.
Liverpool held firm despite losing captain Virgil van Dijk due to illness and Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations. In the first half, Alexander-Arnold struck the crossbar, and as the game progressed, Ramsdale stopped well from Diaz and Diogo Jota headed against the crossbar.
Liverpool Struck Twice Late On To Beat Arsenal At Emirates Stadium And Reach The FA Cup Fourth Round.
When a replay that neither Arsenal nor Liverpool would have preferred approached, Kiowor headed past Ramsdale, and Diaz ensured Jurgen Klopp’s team advanced to the fourth round.
Arsenal could and should have had a huge lead at halftime in this FA Cup encounter, but they were let down by what appears to be a key flaw in Arteta’s team.
The Gunners’ approach work was great as they caused Liverpool problems by moving the ball about, but it all broke apart at the key moment when chances were not taken.
As the game progressed, there was mounting irritation within the Emirates and a growing sense that Arsenal would pay the price for their failures in front of goal.
Gabriel Jesus was out with a knee injury, but he is not a consistent, trustworthy provider of goals, and Eddie Nketiah has yet to demonstrate that he is the long-term solution to Arteta’s developing problem.
Liverpool Struck Twice Late On To Beat Arsenal At Emirates Stadium And Reach The FA Cup Fourth Round.
There is so much to like about this Arsenal team, but there is always the risk that the end product will not match their eye-catching passing play.
Arteta must handle it as soon as possible, and the manager and club may agree, considering the club’s constant contact with Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Whether they can do business in the challenging January market remains to be seen.
This is Arsenal’s third defeat in a row following their creditable draw at Anfield on December 23 – and the optimism that surrounded Arteta’s team following that result must be quickly restored.
Liverpool were without two of their greatest players in this FA Cup match between the Premier League title contenders – Virgil van Dijk, who was unwell, and Mohamed Salah, who was at the Africa Cup of Nations.
They were grateful for Arsenal’s poor finishing in the first half, but Klopp’s side was always in the game, and even without Salah, they had menace in their forward line, which became more apparent as the game progressed.
Liverpool Struck Twice Late On To Beat Arsenal At Emirates Stadium And Reach The FA Cup Fourth Round.
Ibrahima Konate stood out, demonstrating that he can produce authoritative performances even without Van Dijk alongside him, while rookie defender Jarell Quansah continues to shine in Joel Matip’s absence.
Nunez’s goal-scoring efforts were ineffective once more, while Jota looked energetic as he continued his comeback from injury.
Overall, finding a way to win without Van Dijk and Salah will instill confidence in Liverpool and its fans that Klopp’s new-look team can go on to achieve great things this season.
Liverpool leads the Premier League, faces Fulham in an EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday, has advanced to the Europa League knockout round, and can now look forward to the FA Cup fourth-round draw with hope.
SOURCE – (BBC)
