The National LogoSPORT Arsenal v Liverpool player ratings: Martinelli 9, Saka 8; Van Dijk 4, Salah 5

The National LogoSPORT
Arsenal v Liverpool player ratings: Martinelli 9, Saka 8; Van Dijk 4, Salah 5
Gunners back on top after edging a thriller
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 6 The 24-year-old made a good save from Saliba’s interception and was not at fault for either Liverpool goal. He recovered from a first-half injury that looked like it might shorten his game.
Reuters
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 6 The 24-year-old made a good save from Saliba’s interception and was not at fault for either Liverpool goal. He recovered from a first-half injury that looked like it might shorten his game. Reuters

Ben White - 6

The 25-year-old had an easier time after Diaz left the pitch and was mostly comfortable in the second half. He used the ball well and was a threat going forward.
EPA
Ben White - 6 The 25-year-old had an easier time after Diaz left the pitch and was mostly comfortable in the second half. He used the ball well and was a threat going forward. EPA

William Saliba - 7

The Frenchman was involved in a physical battle with Nunez and showed his strength. He made some good tackles and forced Ramsdale to save after a brave but necessary interception
EPA
William Saliba - 7 The Frenchman was involved in a physical battle with Nunez and showed his strength. He made some good tackles and forced Ramsdale to save after a brave but necessary interception EPA

Gabriel - 4

The Brazilian got caught under the ball, particularly for Liverpool’s first goal. He hung out an arm that could have resulted in the concession of a penalty.
Reuters
Gabriel - 4 The Brazilian got caught under the ball, particularly for Liverpool’s first goal. He hung out an arm that could have resulted in the concession of a penalty. Reuters

Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7

The Japanese was comfortable against Salah. His distribution was effective against Liverpool’s lukewarm press.
Getty
Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7 The Japanese was comfortable against Salah. His distribution was effective against Liverpool’s lukewarm press. Getty

Thomas Partey - 6

The Ghanaian found time and space in the midfield and looked to generate attacks. He looked lost in the spell when Liverpool were on top before half time but got a grip after the break. AFP
Thomas Partey - 6 The Ghanaian found time and space in the midfield and looked to generate attacks. He looked lost in the spell when Liverpool were on top before half time but got a grip after the break. AFP

Granit Xhaka - 6

The Swiss was aggressive and grew in stature in the second half when he was an attacking threat. He was involved in the dust-up after the penalty.
AFP
Granit Xhaka - 6 The Swiss was aggressive and grew in stature in the second half when he was an attacking threat. He was involved in the dust-up after the penalty. AFP

Bukayo Saka - 8

The 21-year-old caused Tsimikas plenty of problems. He scored Arsenal’s second and converted the winning penalty with aplomb before making way for Vieira deep in stoppage time.
Getty
Bukayo Saka - 8 The 21-year-old caused Tsimikas plenty of problems. He scored Arsenal’s second and converted the winning penalty with aplomb before making way for Vieira deep in stoppage time. Getty

Martin Odegaard - 7

The Norwegian picked out Martinelli superbly for the opening goal but could have been more incisive when in dangerous positions later in the game. He was replaced by Tierney with eight minutes to go.
AFP
Martin Odegaard - 7 The Norwegian picked out Martinelli superbly for the opening goal but could have been more incisive when in dangerous positions later in the game. He was replaced by Tierney with eight minutes to go. AFP

Gabriel Martinelli - 9

The Brazilian slotted home the opening goal after making a telling run. He tormented Liverpool’s right side with his pace, directness and movement.
AFP
Gabriel Martinelli - 9 The Brazilian slotted home the opening goal after making a telling run. He tormented Liverpool’s right side with his pace, directness and movement. AFP

Gabriel Jesus - 7 The Brazilian kept defenders occupied while never quite hitting the heights of his recent form. He earned the game-winning penalty before being withdrawn in stoppage time for Nketiah. AFP

SUBS: Kieran Tierney (Odegaard 82') - N/R The Scot slotted into the defence as Arsenal worked hard to secure the points. EPA

Eddie Nketiah (Jesus 90'+1) - N/R The 23-year-old made a brief appearance in stoppage time and had no time to make a real contribution. AFP

Fabio Vieira (Saka 90'+4) - N/R The Portuguese came on in stoppage time for very brief cameo. EPA

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6 The Brazilian had to endure some inept defending from his team-mates. He could not do much about Arsenal’s goals. EPA

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 4 The 23-year-old had another subpar outing. He was in part culpable for the first two Arsenal goals and was replaced by Gomez at the break. Reuters

Joel Matip - 5 The 31-year-old was not assertive enough as the gaps opened up on Liverpool’s right. He was replaced by Konate in the 69th minute. AFP

Virgil van Dijk - 4 The Dutchman lacked urgency. His positioning was often poor and he did not exert authority in the air or on the ground. PA

Kostas Tsimikas - 4 The Greek was caught upfield for the opening goal and never got to grips with Saka. He produced hardly anything going forward. EPA

Jordan Henderson - 5 The captain was over-run in the midfield and should have done much better before Arsenal’s second. He helped create Firmino’s goal but could not cover the space left by Alexander-Arnold. Reuters

Jordan Henderson - 5 The captain was over-run in the midfield and should have done much better before Arsenal’s second. He helped create Firmino’s goal but could not cover the space left by Alexander-Arnold. Reuters

Mohamed Salah - 5 The Egyptian did not get the service he needed. He often drifted too wide and had little impact. Fabinho came on for him in the 69th minute. AFP

Diogo Jota - 6 The Portuguese worried the defence with his pace and direct running. He set up Firmino to score before being withdrawn for Elliott with nine minutes to go. Action Images

Luis Diaz - 7 The Colombian worked relentlessly and his efforts paid off when he carved out the equaliser for Nunez. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and was replaced by Firmino three minutes before half time. EPA

Darwin Nunez - 6 The Uruguayan was bright and busy in the early exchanges and took his goal well. He will be better when his team-mates work out the best way to play to his strengths. AFP

SUBS: Roberto Firmino (Diaz 42') - 6 The Brazilian unexpectedly joined the action three minutes before half time when Diaz limped off. He took his goal superbly but otherwise toiled without reward. Getty

Joe Gomez (Alexander-Arnold 45') - 5 The 25-year-old was more effective than the man he replaced. Even so, he will have nightmares about Martinelli. Reuters

Ibrahima Konate (Matip 69') - 4 The Frenchman was thrown into a dysfunctional defence. He struggled to bring coherence to the back line. Reuters

Fabinho (salah 69') - 4 The Brazilian joined the action in the 69th minute at Salah’s expense. It was a strange substitution that barely bolstered the midfield. Reuters

Harvey Elliott (Jota 81') - 5 The 19-year-old entered the game for Jota with nine minutes left. There was nothing he could do to change proceedings. AFP
Harvey Elliott (Jota 81') - 5 The 19-year-old entered the game for Jota with nine minutes left. There was nothing he could do to change proceedings. AFP

9 / 30
Tony Evans
Oct 10, 2022
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka scored twice, including a late winning penalty, as the Gunners beat Liverpool 3-2 in a pulsating Premier League clash to go back to the top of the table.

Arsenal opened the scoring after 58 seconds, Gabriel Martinelli sweeping home a perfect pass from captain Martin Odegaard, but Liverpool grew into the game and Darwin Nunez levelled in the 34th minute.

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An image that illustrates this article - Bukayo Saka's double earns Arsenal thrilling victory over Liverpool
Bukayo Saka's double earns Arsenal thrilling victory over Liverpool
There was a lengthy break midway through the first half as Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold received treatment for an ankle injury sustained in a tangle with Martinelli, and the England defender had to be replaced by Joe Gomez at halftime.

By then Arsenal were back in front, sweeping forward on the counter-attack as Martinelli turned provider, whipping the ball across the box for Saka to poke home a simple finish in first-half stoppage time.

Odegaard missed a golden opportunity to increase Arsenal's lead after the break and two minutes later Liverpool's Diogo Jota found Firmino with a perfectly weighted through ball for the Brazilian to slot across Aaron Ramsdale and into the net.