Arsenal Bow out of FA cup in defeat to Liverpool

London , 

Sunday, 7 January, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Arsenal were forced out of the Emirates FA cup third round in a 2-0 defeat in the hands of Liverpool at the Emirates stadium on Sunday evening. 

The gunners regretted wasting a number of open chances that would have rather made the results in their favor. 

Reiss Nelson's effort was deflected wide after some silky work by Martin Odegaard, and there was little respite for a purple-clad Liverpool, who withstood an onslaught of attempts on goal, as the Norwegian playmaker thundered against the bar just a few minutes later.

Liverpool were limited on chances but lucky enough to overcome Arsenal's wastefulness and recurring missed chances. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold then smashed against the bar late on towards the half time break to add a little hope for the visitors. 

Liverpool who missed Mo Salah to the incoming 2024 AFCON tournament came into the 2nd half with tactical changes that saw Darwin Nunez moved to the left side of attack in a bid to create more spaces for a goal. 

Arsenal failed to rectify on their first half wastefulness this time Saka failing to capitalize on a well served ball by Havertz. 

Gabriel Martinelli was lively off the bench, but Ramsdale’s reflex save to keep Luis Diaz out at the near post and Diogo Jota’s crossbar-bound header were mere warnings for Arsenal.

Liverpool ultimately snatched the winner with 10 minutes of regular time remaining, and it took a moment of real quality from Alexander-Arnold to spark the move.

His ball into the box caused havoc, forcing an unfortunate Kiwior into pouncing his header over Ramsdale and into his own net. 

A second goal came in the very final seconds as Diaz smashed inside the near post on the counter, sealing Liverpool’s 12th progression to the FA Cup fourth round across the previous 13 attempts as 14 time winner Arsenal failed to qualify past the 5th round for the fourth successive campaign.