Source: Team_Talk
Reds benefit from Arsenal woes
Arsenal lost Laurent Koscielny to injury and saw Emmanuel Frimpong sent off in a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.[LNB] Liverpool's victory on Saturday came courtesy of an Aaron Ramsey own goal and a last-minute strike from Luis Suarez, but the defeat could have greater ramifications for Arsene Wenger's side ahead of next week's crucial Champions League play-off second leg in Udinese and the small matter of a trip to Manchester United.[LNB]Samir Nasri - whose £22million move to City is, according to reports on French TV, said to have broken down - did not applaud the crowd as the teams came out of the tunnel, and was then jeered by some sections of the Emirates Stadium faithful when his name was announced.[LNB]Liverpool showed early intent, as Dirk Kuyt - who netted a late penalty deep into stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw here last season - drilled a low, angled drive goalwards.[LNB]New Arsenal captain Robin van Persie looked lively as he nicked the ball out on the right channel and floated over a cross which Martin Kelly stabbed behind for a corner.[LNB]On eight minutes, Frimpong was cautioned for squaring up to Jordan Henderson as the Liverpool midfielder tried to take a quick throw-in.[LNB]Koscielny added to Wenger's defensive problems when he pulled up with what looked like a lower back injury on 14 minutes and had to be replaced by youngster Ignasi Miquel, the Spaniard making his Premier League debut.[LNB]Liverpool almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Andy Carroll's towering header at the far post brought a brilliant save from Wojciech Szczesny.[LNB]The visitors were in full flight now, with Henderson sending a tame header straight at the Arsenal keeper following another quick break down the left.[LNB]Charlie Adam then tried an audacious chip from the halfway line, which had Szczesny backpedalling, but flew over the bar.[LNB]Arsenal finally mounted a meaningful attack after 30 minutes when Frimpong's low drive from 20 yards was pushed wide by Jose Reina.[LNB]Nasri then showed what Arsenal would be missing when he picked up the ball in his own half, dashed forwards and turned Liverpool inside out before unleashing a 25-yard strike which curled past the post.[LNB]As the heavens opened for the start of the second half, Liverpool continued to frustrate Arsenal.[LNB]The visitors broke quickly into the Gunners box on 55 minutes, with Carroll laying the ball back to Kelly - and his snapshot struck the outside of the post.[LNB]Arsenal eventually started to up the pressure, but lacked a decisive pass in the final third.[LNB]Andrey Arshavin turned Kelly and fed Van Persie at the near post, but his goalbound flick was kicked behind by Reina.[LNB]With 20 minutes left, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Frimpong was shown a second yellow card when he left his foot up in a 50/50 with Lucas, right in front of the referee.[LNB]Liverpool snatched a fortunate lead on 78 minutes when as Suarez darted into the six-yard box, Miquel's clearance cannoned off Ramsey's chest and back over the keeper into the net.[LNB]A miserable afternoon for the Gunners was compounded in the final minute when Suarez tapped in from close range following a quick counter-attack.
