EPL:Szoboszlai’s Stunning Free-Kick Secures Late Liverpool Win Over Arsenal
3 min read
By Sportsgister
Dominik Szoboszlai produced a moment of brilliance to hand Liverpool a dramatic late victory over Arsenal in a hard-fought Premier League clash at Anfield.
With the contest seemingly destined for a goalless draw, the Hungarian midfielder stepped up in the 83rd minute and curled a superb free-kick beyond Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from 30 yards. The strike sent the Kop into raptures and secured a 1-0 win that preserved Liverpool’s flawless start to the season.
Early Setbacks for Arsenal
Arsenal’s evening began in difficult fashion when key defender William Saliba was forced off with injury after just five minutes. Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera replaced him, tasked with keeping Liverpool’s attack quiet in a tense, cagey affair.
New £60m arrival Eberechi Eze started on the bench and was only introduced in the second half as Mikel Arteta sought to inject creativity into his side. Despite that, the Gunners created little going forward, their best chance in the first half coming when Noni Madueke forced Alisson into a smart save.
Striker Viktor Gyökeres, making his first big test in English football, endured a frustrating night against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, struggling for service and rarely threatening.
Liverpool Grow Into the Game
Liverpool also found chances hard to come by, though Hugo Ekitike briefly thought he had put them ahead in the first half, only for his bundled finish to be ruled out for offside.
Jürgen Klopp’s side gradually increased the pressure after the interval, with Arsenal defending resolutely but unable to escape their own half for long stretches. Just as the game appeared to be drifting towards a stalemate, Szoboszlai delivered a decisive moment of individual quality.
Champions’ Mentality on Display
The result leaves Liverpool top of the Premier League with maximum points from their opening three matches. What will worry rivals is that Klopp’s team have yet to hit their fluent best, but continue to grind out victories with late goals.
They struck twice late to beat Bournemouth at Anfield, found an injury-time winner away to Newcastle, and once again prevailed in the closing stages against Arsenal.
It is the hallmark of champions: finding a way when the margins are fine. For opponents hoping to dethrone Liverpool, it is an ominous sign.
Arsenal’s Anfield Hoodoo Continues
For Arsenal, it was another painful visit to Anfield. They are now winless in 13 Premier League away games against Liverpool, a run stretching back to September 2012.
While this early-season defeat does not define their campaign, Arteta and his players will rue leaving without a point from a game they largely contained until Szoboszlai’s decisive intervention.
What’s Next
Liverpool head into the international break on top of the table and remain active in the transfer market. The Reds are pursuing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi to bolster their defence and continue to monitor Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will regroup and look to bounce back quickly after their unbeaten start came to an end on Merseyside.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
