PLAYER RATINGS: Man of the match Jorginho runs the show as Arsenal outclass Liverpool in 3-1 win… while Alisson and Reds defence have an off day

Arsenal regained their spot in what is now gearing up to be a three-way title race in the Premier League after a thrilling 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday night. 

The Gunners came out on top with a strong start after Saka found the back of the net with ease before Alisson‘s sloppy saves gifted Arsenal the lead in the second half.

Despite a dominant display from Liverpool after the break, the visitors failed to make an impact on goal with the absence of star man Mohamed Salah etched in the defeat. 

With their only goal a failed clearance from Gabriel and Saliba that resulted in an own goal, the Emirates was bouncing in Arsenal red in North London on Sunday. 

Mail Sport’s Poppy Treadaway rates the player’s performances.  

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 14th minute at the Emirates

Van Dijk looked dejected after his blunder with Alisson gifted Arsenal the lead

Jorginho rightly earned the Player of the Match award for his composed midfield performance

ARSENAL

David Raya –  7

Beyond his one clear mistake, Raya’s performance was composed. Strong distribution and overall solid display from the Spaniard. 

Ben White – 8

Fans enjoyed watching their right-back back in top form. Winning all his duels, the defender looked unbeatable at the back, despite his dawdling on throw ins. 

William Saliba – 6

The favoured centre-back showed another strong display but lacked composure which lead to Gabriel’s own goal.  

Gabriel – 7

Marshalled the backline having maintained his centre-back partnership with Saliba throughout. A small error that was undeserving for his 90 minute performance. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7

A quiet night for the Ukrainian, though he kept possession well. His substitution in the second half allowed Kiwior to shine. 

Martin Odegaard – 8

Dominated in the middle with Rice and Jorginho, his constant pressure on Liverpool’s backline helped the Gunners to a comfortable win.

Declan Rice – 8

Another calm face in midfield. He prevented a number of counters with ease as well as pushing forward. The former Hammer continues to prove he’s worth the £105million price tag. 

Jorginho – 9

Kept his composure throughout the match to dictate the tempo and control the play in a hotly-contested match. Rightly awarded Player of the Match. 

Arsenal reinstated their place in the Premier League title race with a win on Sunday night

Gabriel Martinelli was gifted the second goal after a mix-up between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk

Bukayo Saka – 8

Opened the scoring for the Gunners and showed clinical composure to convert Martinelli’s miss. Looked reenergised in front of goal.

Gabriel Martinelli – 8

Despite Alisson’s goalkeeping error allowing the Brazilian to pounce on goal, Martinelli’s impact was huge. Constant threat for Liverpool’s shaky defence.

Kai Havertz – 7

Strong link-up play throughout and with him awkward number nine role, the centre-backs struggled to deal with him.   

Arsenal Substitutes:

Jakub Kiwior (45mins for Zinchenko) – 7.5

Leandro Trossard (74mins for Martinelli) – 7

Reiss Nelson (79mins for Saka) – 7

Manager: Mikel Arteta – 8

The Spaniard led the Gunners to glory after playing the long game in a dominant first half. The boss is enjoying a fresh squad after the winter break. 

Saka slotted home the rebound after goalkeeper Alisson had saved Kai Havertz’s shot

The error proved a costly one as the Gunners pressed on to defeat Liverpool 3-1 at the Emirates

Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side came up second-best after the thrilling clash

LIVERPOOL 

Alisson – 5

The shot-stopper fell off his usual form with his error allowing Martinelli to capitalise. Still managed to deny Havertz and a strong effort from Gabriel. Lacked his usual composure.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6

Martinelli caused the right-back a number of problems as he failed to make his usual impact on the pitch.  

Ibrahim Konate – 5

His positioning throughout led to a few of Arsenal’s goals and successful counters. Lacked composure which resulted in the defenders’ sending off.  

Virgil Van Dijk – 6

Unusual for Van Dijk to make such a calamitous error in front of goal. The centre-back looked understandably dejected after failing to clear Martinelli’s quick counter.  

Joe Gomez – 6

Gomez struggled against a rejuvenated Saka, but offered no drive up the pitch or threat to the hosts.  

Ryan Gravenberch – 6

Dominik Szoboszlai’s absence was certainly felt in the former Bayern Munich-star’s replacement. Lacking vision off the ball to dictate play.  

Alexis Mac Allister – 7

The Argentine stood out amongst a dismal Liverpool display. Some clever uses of the ball but nothing to threaten Arsenal’s backline. 

William Saliba (R) tried to protect the ball from Luis Diaz but ended up seeing it poked away

Ibrahima Konate was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Havertz

 Gabriel turned the ball into his own net after a mix-up between David Raya and William Saliba

Curtis Jones – 6

Not dominant enough in the middle, despite looking more promising in a more defensive role.  

Cody Gakpo – 6

Lack of press and aggression to drive the ball. Darwin Nunez’s presence on the bench was felt with the Dutchman’s misses. 

Diogo Jota – 7

Struggled to make an impact in the box, though was one of the more threatening players for Arsenal’s defence. 

Luis Diaz – 7

The Colombian powerhouse was not his usual self in front of goal, but his pace did force Gabriel’s error. 

Liverpool Substitutes:

Andy Robertson (58mins for Alexander-Arnold) – 7

Harvey Elliott (58mins for Gravenberch) – 6

Darwin Nunez (58mins for Gakpo) – 7

Thiago Alcantara (85mins for Gomez) – 6

Manager: Jurgen Klopp – 6

Feeling the absence of Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszali and starlet Conor Bradley, the manager was understandably dejected.