Arsenal went five points clear at the top of the Premier League by beating nearest challengers Liverpool thanks to classy strikes from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger made one alteration from the XI that started the win at Crystal Palace. Tomas Rosicky replaced Mathieu Flamini. Mikel Arteta served his ban for the red card picked up in that game in midweek. Jack Wilshere missed out with an ankle problem. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was without right back Glen Johnson again due to illness, so academy product Jon Flanagan deptuized. Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho was back on the bench after six weeks out with a shoulder injury. Czech captain Rosicky worked Simon Mignolet on five minutes after a one-two with Cazorla. Liverpool's Belgian keeper tipped a shot across goal behind. Jordan Henderson then fluffed his lines as he caught Cazorla in possession and broke for the visitors. Arsenal began to exert their slick passing on the Reds and were rewarded inside 20 minutes as they broke down the right. Bacary Sagna crossed for Cazorla, and, although his initial header crashed back off the upright, he clinically fired into the roof of the net. Time and again the Gunners got joy from playing one-twos and Ramsey brought a low stop out of Mignolet. The pattern of play then settled down into breaks and counters from either side, though neither team had sufficient support to capitalize.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
