Premier League - Arsenal 0-3 Liverpool - Jota double crushes poor Arsenal (video highlights)

Arsenal versus Liverpool is a special game. There have been so many classics over the years from the unforgettable 4-4 draw at Anfield when Andrey Arshavin scored 4 incredible goals, to the 2-1 win in the FA Cup final when Michael Owen scored a brace with minutes remaining to wipe out an Arsenal lead. Of course there was also the finale to end all finales, as Arsenal went to Anfield needing a 2-0 victory to take the league title away from Liverpool, and Michael Thomas scored with pretty much the last kick of the game to leave the Reds supporters in utter disbelief. I remember they applauded the Arsenal team at the final whistle. They were distraught, but that showed class, and I haven't forgotten it.

In that match, the midfield general for the Gunners was David “Rocky” Rocastle. He was a hell of a player, and I know how good he was, as I had a season ticket at the Arsenal throughout the 1988/1989 season. Indeed, I could have been at Anfield to see that match, had I won a ticket in the ballot for away fans for the trip to Liverpool that day. I had to watch it on TV and I still remember myself and my father hitting the roof when the title winning goal went in. More importantly, I hear David was the nicest young man possible, a true gentleman. He passed away 20 years ago this week, and this game at the Emirates stadium was dedicated to Rocky.

So to the game this evening, and would this be anther classic encounter? Liverpool came out of the traps quicker and sharper, and a pattern started to develop where Arsenal sat back looking to absorb pressure, and hit the Reds on the break. The problem with the strategy comes when the opposition lock you in around your penalty box, and press immediately once you get the ball. Either you are good enough to play your way out, or you succumb to the pressure and find an outlet almost impossible. That's exactly what happened, and Arteta must have been tearing his hair out as Arsenal resorted to booting the ball up field only to find another wave of Liverpool attacks coming back at his team.

Chances came at regular intervals for Liverpool, with Milner twice shooting wide, Mane had a snap header straight at Leno, and a Firmino drive from the left hand edge of the box as he cut in from a wide position whizzed by the far post. Just when Salah or Mane did get an opening, they hesitated and the moment for them was lost. As for Arsenal, they hardly created a chance of any note whatsoever.

Yet for all their dominance and having in excess of 70% of the possession, half time came with the teams locked at 0-0. Klopp must have been as frustrated as Arteta would have been relieved, One other thing of note was that the excellent Kieran Tierney had to be substituted by Cedric, after he appeared to suffer a knee injury.

Arsenal looked a little sharper in the second half, and the first attempt came from them, when Aubameyang played in Cedric whose shot was well held by Alisson. Liverpool then struck a deserved lead on 64 mins. Salah played a ball into to Alexander Arnold on the right and his sumptuous cross found Diogo Jota at the back post between Holding and Chambers, and he confidently headed home. A message from Alexander-Arnold to the England national coach Gareth Southgate, who left him out of the recent internationals.

On 68 mins, a second Reds goal came, and this time it was all Mo Salah's own work. He outpaced and rode a challenge from Gabriel, and then stroked the ball between Leno's legs into the far corner. No more than Liverpool deserved on the night.

Things got yet worse for Arteta and Arsenal on 82 mins. A sloppy ball out of defence by Gabriel was intercepted by Alexander Arnold who found Salah, and his ball across the box was seized upon by Jota who gleefully slammed in his second.

So on the back of Chelsea's shock 5-2 defeat earlier in the day to West Brom, and Leicester's loss at home to Manchester City, Liverpool took their chance to put pressure on the teams above them. As for the Gunners, Arteta must realise that his team is so much weaker when Saka & Smith Rowe are not involved, and that a lot more surgery is required to take the club to the places that he wants to take them. You always learn much more in defeat than in victory, and Arteta will have learned a lot in this humbling defeat. He has a long long way to go to emulate the Championship winning team in which David Rocastle was such an important member.

Highlights from Sky Sports YouTube Channel....