Arsenal Climbs Back Into Title Race, Beats Liverpool

Arsenal got their first win in four games after edging fourth place Liverpool 1—0 on Wednesday at the Emirates.
Arsenal Climbs Back Into Title Race, Beats Liverpool
GUNNERS DOWN REDS: Arsenal's Abou Diaby heads in the winner against Liverpool on Wednesday. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/Arsenal96555682WEB.jpg" alt="GUNNERS DOWN REDS: Arsenal's Abou Diaby heads in the winner against Liverpool on Wednesday. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)" title="GUNNERS DOWN REDS: Arsenal's Abou Diaby heads in the winner against Liverpool on Wednesday. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1823221"/></a>
GUNNERS DOWN REDS: Arsenal's Abou Diaby heads in the winner against Liverpool on Wednesday. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Arsenal got their first win in four games after edging fourth place Liverpool 1–0 on Wednesday at the Emirates.

The much-needed win came after back-to-back losses to Chelsea and Manchester United that made it seem like Arsenal’s title hopes were over. But with their main title rivals slipping up, the Gunners made the most of their opportunity.

Abou Diaby was the hero for the Gunners. He headed in the winner in the 72nd minute as Arsenal picked up their game in the second half.

“It’s a massive result for us. It’s been a massive disappointment the last two games,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “We refused to give up.”

Liverpool had strong claims for a penalty deep into injury time when Steven Gerrard’s free kick appeared to hit Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas’s raised arm.

Fabregas, who is now being dogged by rumors of accepting an offer from Barcelona, sternly responded in an interview with Sky Sports after the match, “I just want to focus on Arsenal. Arsenal Football Club, our fans, our players, we deserve a little more respect.”

Everton stunned Chelsea 2–1 at Goodison Park as Louis Saha scored twice. The striker also missed a penalty shot.

Everton successfully bounced back from a Merseyside derby loss to Liverpool last Saturday.

Chelsea captain John Terry was guilty of a mistake that allowed Saha’s winner. He will be given a few days off to get away from the intense media scrutiny surrounding his personal life.

Ten-man Manchester United missed an opportunity to take over top spot when they were held to a 1–1 draw at Villa Park against Aston Villa.

United midfielder Nani was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Stiliyan Petrov.

“It’s a red card. He’s gone in double-footed. It was a naïve tackle,” said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Nani, who played so well against Arsenal on Jan. 31, will miss the next three games.

United climbs to within one point of English Premier League leaders Chelsea while Arsenal now lie six points back of the top.
Rahul Vaidyanath
Rahul Vaidyanath
Journalist
Rahul Vaidyanath is a journalist with The Epoch Times in Ottawa. His areas of expertise include the economy, financial markets, China, and national defence and security. He has worked for the Bank of Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., and investment banks in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles.
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