IT’S THE ANGEL GABRIEL
Defender rises highest to ensure share of the points as Guns top tree
ARSENAL are football’s Christmas No.1 after surviving the full throttle Anfield experience.
Now it’s a question of whether this time around Mikel Arteta’s side are the real thing or it’s simply another festive fling.
After all, they were top at the last Yuletide only for Manchester City to overhaul them on the way to their famed Treble.
Liverpool responded to Jurgen Klopp’s call for fans and players alike to pump up the volume and tempo to make it an evening when the Gunners wouldn’t know what had hit them. As ordered by Klopp, the decibel level from the supporters at kick-off was deafening but it was the Gunners who responded first to the Kop cacophony.
Gabriel Jesus had seen a deflected shot loop over the bar and sent a header into Alisson’s arms before Gabriel struck in the fourth minute.
A brilliantly delivered free-kick from Martin Odegaard found the Brazilian far too easily and his header arrowed past the keeper.
There was the inevitable lengthy VAR check for a potential offside but the goal stood and Arsenal had laid an early marker in what was already proving a gripping battle.
But Arteta had warned that Anfield with the Liverpool fans in the mood was like being sucked into a washing machine.
Thanks to Mo Salah it was back at full spin, the Egyptian conjuring up a super equaliser.
Trent Alexander-arnold launched the ball deep into Arsenal’s half and in Salah’s direction.
In a blur he controlled the ball, skated past Oleksandr Zinchenko and unleashed an unstoppable effort past David Raya for his 12th Premier League goal of the season. Liverpool suffered a blow when Kostas Tsimikas was forced out of the game clutching his shoulder after a challenge from Bukayo Saka which took him careering into the technical area, poleaxing the unsuspecting Klopp.
Arsenal should have gone ahead just before the break. A trademark Saka run created havoc and, when he was blocked, Gabriel Martinelli prodded wide.
The Reds, kicking towards the expectant Kop in the second half, raced out of the blocks with Salah at the heart of their industry and endeavour. But it
was Joe Gomez – who had replaced the unfortunate Tsimikas – who was just inches away from giving them the lead with a crafted curling attempt.
It was now a test of Arsenal’s fortitude, especially with Salah making life tough for Zinchenko.
And the Gunners almost paid the price from a corner which was a complete mess and saw Salah leading a cavalry charge.
He then released the perfect pass only for the raiding Alexander-arnold to smash against the crossbar.
Cue relief for Arteta and his men who had come out of the machine wash intact.