RvP injury time winner secures win for Arsenal

A majestic 92nd minute goal from Dutchman Robin van Persie ensured that Arsenal would win their fourth consecutive Premier League match, as the Gunners came back from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield yesterday.

A spirited Arsenal performance - and an element of luck - ensured that all three points would be heading back to London thanks to a vintage "smash and grab" away performance from Arsene Wenger's side.


The Gunners required the heroics of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny - who made a series of brilliant saves, including a penalty stop from Dirk Kuyt - and top scorer Robin van Persie to ensure all 3 points would be won. Van Persie scored his 30th and 31st goals of the season, his 25th league goal in as many games.


Liverpool started the game brightly as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez looked lively in and around the Arsenal penalty area for most of the first half. The first opportunity of note fell to the Uruguayan, as he broke free of Arsenal's defence before going down under a challenge from Polish shot stopper Szczesny. 


Dirk Kuyt stepped up to take the resulting penalty, and the Dutchman fired low and left but Polish number 1 Szczesny guessed correctly and then kept out Kuyt's rebound with another wonderful save.


A gutsy Arsenal defence could not keep the scoresheet blank, though, as a dangerous cross from the right from Liverpool, through Jordan Henderson, would fall at the feet of Laurent Koscielny who turned the ball into his own net. 


Liverpool continued to pepper Arsenal's goal, but the Gunners would equalise only a few minutes later as French defender Bacary Sagna crossed from the right for Robin van Persie to nod home his 30th goal of the season. Game on and 1-1.


Wojciech Szczesny again had to be at his best to keep out a further Suarez effort, and the Uruguayan struck an effort onto the post as the scores remained level at half time, despite dominance from the Reds.


Into the second half and an injury to Mikel Arteta, who went down in pain with an injury to his back, would add eight minutes of injury time to the clock. 


Martin Kelly was guilty of missing by far the best chance of the game as he bundled a shot onto his own heel, with the goal wide open to put Liverpool back in front again.


Theo Walcott had Arsenal's best chance to take the lead, as Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina had to be on hand to keep the England winger out from close range.


Then in injury time, van Persie, as he has been so often this year, would be on hand to be the hero and wrap up all three points. A long floated ball from Cameroon midfielder Alexandre Song to the left hand side of the penalty area would reach van Persie, and the Dutchman struck first time on the volley at the near post to wrap up victory for the Gunners in the 92nd minute.


Arsenal remain in fourth place in the Premier League, but now move 3 points ahead of Chelsea who lost to West Brom yesterday. Next up for the Gunners, a home visit from Newcastle who take on city rivals Sunderland today.