Arsenal breathed new life into their faint Premier League title
hopes with a narrow 1-0 win over Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on
Wednesday.
Abou Diaby finally got the breakthrough on 72 minutes, when
he headed in Tomas Rosicky's cross as the Gunners bounced back from
successive defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea.
Liverpool, who are just ahead of Manchester City in fourth
place, almost grabbed a late equaliser when substitute Ryan Babel
saw his shot tipped onto the bar.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger made changes from the side beaten
by Chelsea at the weekend, which left them some nine points off the
leaders, However, the Blues' subsequent defeat by Everton tonight
means that deficit was quickly reduced.
Theo Walcott dropped to the bench, as Nicklas Bendtner, who
had been out following groin surgery, made a welcome first start
since October.
While Arsenal had been faltering, Liverpool slowly moved
themselves back up into the top four.
The Gunners' frailty at the back was exposed again on five
minutes when a free-kick bobbled alarmingly around the six-yard box
before Manuel Almunia gathered.
At the other end, William Gallas - yet to confirm whether he
will be staying with Arsenal - headed over.
Liverpool remained patient, although David Ngog snatched at
his shot after working some space at the edge of the Arsenal area.
Much like at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, the Gunners had
plenty of possession, but without looking dangerous in the final
third.
Samir Nasri's low ball in from the right was cut out by
Martin Skrtel, as Bendtner arrived behind him through the six-yard
box.
The Dane was then played in by Andrey Arshavin, but shot
over.
Arsenal were finally having a decent spell, with Nasri's shot
charged down by Emiliano Insua.
The Argentina defender then saw his goal-bound effort deflect
off Thomas Vermaelen.
On 34 minutes, Nasri, who earlier appeared to take a blow to
the side of his face, was replaced by Tomas Rosicky.
Neither side were able to make the most of some promising
build-up play as the first half drew to a close.
Arsenal, though, had more urgency following the restart, as
Arshavin drilled the ball into the side-netting.
At the other end, Lucas Leiva drilled his angled shot over
after being played into the right side of the Arsenal penalty area
by Dirk Kuyt.
Steven Gerrard's determination released Ngog down the middle,
but Gallas recovered to make a brilliant saving tackle just inside
the 18-yard box.
Rosicky's touch was then too heavy after the Czech Republic
winger was put clear down the left channel by Arshavin.
Arsenal were in the ascendancy now.
Bendtner's deft chip almost crept over the line after Jose
Reina could only make a partial save, but Daniel Agger cleared.
However, on 63 minutes, referee Howard Webb showed Bendtner a
yellow card for diving under a challenge by Agger, although replays
suggested there may have been minimum contact.
Arshavin missed his kick when arriving at pace in the penalty
area to meet Gael Clichy's cross, with Rosicky blasting the loose
ball over.
Arsenal made the breakthrough after 72 minutes, when Diaby
arrived on cue at the far post to head in Rosicky's right-wing
cross.
Liverpool felt they had a strong penalty claim when Gerrard
went down under a mass of red shirts, appearing to be blocked by
Diaby, but the referee waved play on.
The visitors almost snatched an equaliser with four minutes
left, but Almunia tipped a dipping drive from substitute Babel onto
the crossbar.
In stoppage time, there was more controversy when a dubious
free-kick from Gerrard appeared to strike Cesc Fabregas on the
hand, but referee Webb was not interested.
