FA Cup: own goal, late strike see Liverpool past Arsenal

Liverpool secured a triumph in the FA Cup third round by defeating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates, thanks to an own goal and a stoppage-time strike.

Despite the absence of key players such as Van Dijk and Salah, Liverpool exhibited resilience to secure a hard-fought victory against an Arsenal side that created numerous chances but failed to convert them. Stand-in captain Alexander-Arnold delivered the cross that led to Kiwior’s unfortunate own goal, and Diaz sealed the win with a powerful finish in added time.

This victory marked Liverpool’s advancement, and they continue to compete across multiple fronts in 2024. On the other hand, it marked Arsenal’s fourth defeat in seven games, presenting challenges for manager Arteta to address during their mid-season break.

In a closely contested match, Arsenal will lament missed first-half opportunities that could have put the game out of Liverpool’s reach. Havertz squandered several openings, and strikes from Nelson and Odegaard hit the woodwork.

Liverpool gradually gained control in the second half, with Nunez and Jones coming close before Alexander-Arnold’s delivery led to the breakthrough via Kiwior’s own goal. Diaz then capitalized on a counter-attack, sending the traveling Kop supporters into jubilation.