Man City benefit from Arsenal vs Liverpool but Arteta reaction speaks volumes

05 February 2024 , 03:00

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Mikel Arteta saw his Arsenal side defeat Liverpool on Sunday (Image: PA)

Good win for Arsenal, great result for Manchester City.

In the most significant title decider of the season, City didn’t even have to shake a leg. All they had to do was sit back and watch Liverpool’s 15-match unbeaten run go up in smoke.

Just as the Gunners’ 3-2 win in the corresponding fixture last season was tempestuous, culminating in an uncorroborated charge of careless talk against Jordan Henderson, this was feisty, febrile and frenzied.

Two of the goals were farcical, bordering on hilarious, but Arsenal deservedly had the last laugh. Mikel Arteta’s men may yet have a big say in the title race, but those fearing another Blue Moon rising will argue this has only driven a wedge between the two likeliest contenders.

And Arteta, sprinting manically along the touchline when Leandro Trossard’s clinching goal in stoppage time sealed Liverpool’s fate, will relish being the third man in a two-horse race.

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Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour was never going to be a procession of red carpets, floral garlands and beaten opponents kneeling at his feet.

But only his second defeat at the Emirates in six visits could not have come at a worse time. Liverpool looked vulnerable at the back and lacked composure in the final third.

They could not even capitalise on a freak equaliser when they rattled the collection tin on the stroke of half-time and Arsenal gave generously. Funny old game, basketball.

Arteta celebrated in style as Arsenal claimed a vital win in their bid to win the league title (Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)

The Gunners got away with it at Anfield when the whole world could see Martin Odegaard’s handball was a penalty. Six weeks later, they shot themselves in the foot with an own goal devised by the Harlem Globetrotters and executed by the Keystone Kops.

William Saliba tried to escort a long ball back towards his keeper David Raya like a lollipop lady ushering schoolkids across the road, Luis Diaz intervened and, somehow, Gabriel bundled it into his own net with his hand.

Yet Liverpool were not good enough, on the day, to turn outrageous fortune to their advantage. They were not at the races and got what they deserved - nothing.

Mike Walters