Arsenal have got their English Premier League campaign up and running, and how!
The new signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla struck in either half for the Gunners as the London side scored an impressive 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
Arsenal came into the game having not scored a single goal in their previous two matches against Sunderland and Stoke City, but having not having conceded any either. The defense stood firm for the away side yet again, with the forwards finally coming to the fore.
Liverpool started the better of the two teams, keeping possession well and pressing the Arsenal midfield whenever they had the ball. But for all the possession and neat inter-play, the cutting edge was very much lacking from Brendan Rodgers' side. Arsenal were content to just slowly grow into the game, take their time and wait for the right chance, looking particularly dangerous on the counter-attack.
Lukas Podolski was causing problems with his directness; and Arsenal's first goal of this year's English Premier League campaign came via the counter, a quick and powerful one started by Podolski and finished off by him just past the half-hour mark. A misplaced pass by Steven Gerrard, saw Thomas Vermaelen pass it off to Podolski inside Arsenal's own half, with the German international then giving the ball to Santi Cazorla, who till then had been very much in the periphery of the game.
The Spaniard drove into the Liverpool half, before playing a nice through pass to the onrushing Podolski, who made no mistake, striking a low left-footed shot past goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Liverpool were having much of the possession, but chances were coming at a premium. Raheen Sterling was easily the home side's most dangerous player, constantly threatening down the left.
The midfielder had Liverpool's two best chances; first Sterling turned nicely inside the box and struck a shot which hit the outside of the post. Another foray into the penalty area saw the teenager beat Per Mertesacker, initially, but the big German defender, recovered to make a nice tackle and snuff out the chance.
Arsenal had another chance in the first half, again on the counter-attack, but the other new signing Olivier Giroud, who had a good hard-working game, fired wide after being put through by Abou Diaby.
The second half saw Arsenal play much better in possession; their patented patient but quick passing very much in evidence. Cazorla and Podolski combined yet again for the second goal; a quick one-two between the duo, saw Cazorla strike a firm low shot across Reina, which the Spanish goalkeeper could only parry into the net in the 68th minute.
"It was a good day for me and a very good day for Arsenal," Podolski told Sky Sports after the game. "I'm really happy to score my first goal."
Diaby, who was Arsenal's best player added: "We are really happy to win after drawing first two games. We were very strong defensively.
"It means a lot to me because I really want to play football, this year I am back and I hope to stay like this until the end of the season. The whole team have had a strong game and we need to keep going."
Liverpool looked shattered after conceding the second, and despite bringing on the likes of Stewart Downing and Jonjo Shelvey, the Reds failed to really threaten the Arsenal back-four.
Suarez had a decent chance late on, after being put through by Gerrard, but the striker, who had a pretty poor game by his high standards, struck the shot high. Shelvey then tested Mannone with a decent long-ranger, with the goalkeeper making a comfortable save.
Arsenal's defence, which has not been breached this season so far, was again impressive; Vermaelen and Mertesacker looking assured at the back, with full-backs Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson also having a good game.
Wenger will now look to push on and build from the momentum, but will have to wait a fortnight with the international weekend taking precedence next week. Rodgers, meanwhile, will welcome the break as he tries to build his team to a better attacking unit.
