Arsenal’s miserable start to the season went from bad to worse as they lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool.
With one eye firmly on Wedensday’s all-important Champions League qualifier in Italy against Udinese, Arsene Wenger was forced to play wantaway midfielder Samir Nasri, as injuries and suspensions have exposed the lack of depth in the Arsenal squad.
This match seemed destined to ending up a 0-0 draw until Arsenal had Emmanuel Frimpong sent off after picking up his second yellow card with 20 minutes to go. Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish immediately brought on Luis Suárez and Raul Meireles. The move worked as it was Suarez’s movement that cost the home team their first goal as Miquel’s nervy attempt in preventing the ball from reaching the Uruguayan somehow hit his own teammates, Ramsey, before bouncing into the Gunners’ net.
After creating several more chances, it was only a matter of time before Liverpool added their second, and it was Suarez who tapped in Meireles’ pass from close range to give Liverpool their first victory in 11 years at Arsenal.
Across London Chelsea struggled at home to beat West Brom 2-1 at home. Shane Long had given Albion the lead inside four minutes. West Brom missed several good chances early on to add more goals and Chelsea punished them for their wastefulness when second-half goals by Nicolas Anelka and substitute Florent Malouda gave Chelsea all three points.
Elsewhere, Darren Bent was among the scorers as Aston Villa convincingly beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1. Blackburn have looked really poor so far this season, and relegation had to be a serious worry for the clubs Indian owners.
In the big Tyne and Wear derby, Newcastle beat Sunderland 1-0 thanks to a Ryan Taylor goal in the 62nd minute. Last week Queens Park Rangers were embarrassed 4-0 at home to Bolton, but they rebounded nicely by winning 1-0 at Everton, which is never an easy place to win at.