WELL beaten by Chelsea in the Capital One Cup in midweek, Arsenal did the same to Liverpool on a breezy, and slightly chilly Saturday evening to open up a five point lead at the top of the Premier League. 

 

The key to victory was keeping Liverpool's vaunted SAS attack of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge quiet.

 

Arsenal did that relatively easily, restricting the visitors to four shots on target – none of which really threatened Wojciech Szczesny's goal. 

 

The defensive display and clean sheet left Arsene Wenger clearly delighted.

 

"It was a very convincing defensive performance against top class performers," he said. "We kept them quiet and coped well with what they offered."

 

The French coach put the Gunners improved defensive displays down to the players knowing each other "individually and collectively." 

 

Wenger made seven changes from the Chelsea cup defeat, with Mikel Arteta returning after suspension. Jack Wilshere was sidelined with a slight ankle injury.

 

With so much riding on the result, both sides sized each other up at the start. But Arsenal settled the quicker.

 

On 5 minutes, a slip by Mamadou Sakho allowed Tomas Rosicky in but his scuffed shot was tipped away by Simon Mignolet.

Arsenal took the lead on 18 minutes through the excellent Santi Cazorla. 

 

Bacary Sagna broke away on the right and crossed for Cazorla who darted forward to send his header against the bar. But the quick thinking Spaniard followed up the rebound to smash the ball into the net. 1-0 Arsenal.

 

The home side pressed for a second, and on 27 minutes Aaron Ramsey forced another save from Mignolet.

 

Arsenal started the second half on the back foot as Liverpool – and particularly Suarez tried to get back in the game – the Uruguay striker whipped a warning shot across Arsenal's bows. 

 

But Arsenal rode this minor turbulence, and took control again. Cazorla was everywhere mopping up at the back to stop Sturridge charging through on 54 minutes, then seconds later Olivier Giroud should have made it 2-0. He intercepted Kolo Toure's pass, ran into the box but skewed his shot hopelessly wide. 

 

Then on 59 minutes, Ramsey fired Arsenal into a 2-0 lead with a thunderous shot from 20 yards out.

 

It was his sixth league goal of a great campaign – so far.

 

Arsenal were threatening a third – Kieran Gibbs got on the act and charged into the but his shot cannoned off Martin Skrtel for a corner. The left bank charged into the box again on 77 minutes but pulled up with a calf strain and had to be replaced by Thomas Vermaelen. 

Szczesny – who had little to do – still  had to be alert to keep out Sturridge and Coutinho on 82 minutes.

 

But with the game and three points tucked away Wenger said afterwards that Gibbs would be doubtful for the club's vital Champions League tie away to Borussia Dortmund. 

 

There was slightly better news of Wilshere. Wenger said: "It's a strained ankle and not long term."

 

Wenger was also asked about Aaron Ramsey being likened to Cesc Fabregas.

 

"Ramsey is a different kind of player (to Fabregas). He is playing well, but so is the whole team."

 

Wenger's thoughts inevitably turned back to Dortmund (on Wednesday) and Old Trafford the following weekend. 

This (Liverpool win) puts us in a better position for these games."

 

After the setback against Chelsea, when the quality of Arsenal's squad was exposed by a well oiled Chelsea side, this evening's win against Liverpool gives the Gunners a little buffer to keep their title dreams alive. Manchester United await!

 

 

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs (Vermaelen 77) , Ramsey, Arteta, Rosicky (Monreal 72), Ozil, Cazorla (Jenkinson 84), Giroud. Subs not used: Fabianski, Bendtner, Akpom, Hayden.

Attendance: 60,042

 

COMMENT by PAUL COWLING:

 

Arsenal v Liverpool on Saturday Night Football was billed in some media quarters as the game between the two title chasing wannabes – the two clubs that have set the early pace, but aren't expected to be there at the end of the season. Chelsea cruelly exposed the paucity of Arsenal's squad on Tuesday by playing their C Team.

 

With Chelsea losing at Newcastle, but Man City thumping a Delia Smith XI, Arsene Wenger knows there will be plenty of ups and downs before the season  is over and the Premier League title is won or lost.

 

But with Arsenal still  top, it is their league title to lose. With Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski due back soon, plus a World class striker to (hopefully) come through the door in January, Arsenal could still be there when it matters.

 

But their next big test is away to Manchester United next Sunday, but  they go there sitting pretty at the top of the table, despite Arsene Wenger's caution.

"A five point lead is positive and nice, but it is very early in the season."

 

Asked if Arsenal could answer questions about their lack of fortitude and of 'blowing it' when the pressure is on Wenger said: "We live in world where we have to be questioned. That is part of our job."

 

Despite his own side going down 2-0 to a title rival, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Arsenal "have the ability and quality. They have made a good start and are the one to catch."

 

Arsenal need all the wins they can get though in this league because there are sides with bigger and better squads breathing down their neck.