Liverpool 0 - 2 Arsenal

New boys sink Liverpool

The new boys in town - Cazorla and Podolski celebrate their goals

Written by James Akrong

In a high profile match in the Barclay’s Premier League Arsène Wenger’s new signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla got their first league goals for Arsenal in a 2-0 win, their first of the season, against a struggling Liverpool side. Both clubs have been heavily depleted by this summer’s outgoings, with the Gunners losing 30 goal-a-season striker Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United and the influential Alex Song who provided eleven assists last season, whilst the Reds suffered many losses, with Andy Caroll being a significant departure.

Liverpool could’ve conceded within the 10th minute as Santi Cazorla slalomed his way through a packed defence only to shoot straight into the gloves of keeper José Reina. Minutes passed by without many significant chances, but Steven Gerrard’s sloppy pass in the middle of the park led to a break away in which Lukas Podolski opened the scoring via a perfectly weighted pass from Cazorla . Liverpool almost struck back in the 37th after promising winger Raheem Sterling turned his man with ease and found the upright to the relief of 3rd-choice Vito Mannone who looked like a beaten man. However it only took the Gunners three minutes to fashion another chance as the impressive Abou Diaby found Olivier Giroud only to see the Frenchman slice his shot wide of the goal. The first half ended with Arsenal a goal to the good.

Vieira ? - Diaby was compared to Vieira after a wonderful performance

The second half started well, but in the 51st minute there was controversy as the referee disregarded Suarez’s appeal for a penalty as he was allegedly pulled down in the box by Per Mertesacker. Arsenal regained a familiar control of the match and in the 52nd minute Podolski found the overlapping run of fullback Kieran Gibbs whose powerful shot was easily saved by the Liverpool goalkeeper. Three minutes later Liverpool were at the centre of more controversy after they found themselves in the Gunners’ box but a great piece of defending by Thomas Vermaelen stopped the chance, or was it? Howard Webb disregarded Luis Suarez’s call for handball, but replays showed the Belgian’s arm did indeed make contact. The game went on, and within another two minutes Liverpool found themselves in Arsenal’s box once again, a clever change of direction took the defence of the equation, but the Uruguayan who experienced a good debut season last year fired his shot clear over the bar. Carzorla was involved again playing a lovely one two pas with the man he assisted in the first half, the Spaniard netted his first goal in an Arsenal shirt after his shot from a tight angle snuck it’s way under the body of José Reina.

Cazorla class -  the  tricky Spaniard sneaks the second goal to seal the game for Arsenal

This season has so far been almost a better start for Arsène Wenger than the terrible one that he had to endure last season, whilst Brendan Rodgers has led his side to their worst start to a Premier League season in 50 years. It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal will be able to cement themselves as title contenders this season and whether ex-Swansea boss Rodgers will be able to turn his season around and remain in contract with what is such a demanding football club.