Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday with a statement win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. An early opening goal from Gabriel Martinelli and two goals from Bukayo Saka was enough to secure a 3-2 win for the Gunners who secured their eighth victory in nine games.
Martinelli opened the scoring in just 58 seconds. Liverpool levelled proceedings through Darwin Nunez after 34 minutes but Saka restored the Arsenal lead on the stroke of half-time.
Liverpool levelled again on 53 minutes, though, as Roberto Firmino scored his 10th goal against the Gunners in just 17 appearances. Arsenal were awarded a penalty 15 minutes from time thanks to a challenge from Thiago Alcantara on Gabriel Jesus. Saka made no mistake from 12 yards as he slotted his attempt past Alisson Becker.
READ MORE: Edu to offer Albert Sambi Lokonga as part of £26m deal amid Arsenal midfield transfer mission
Beating Liverpool is a statement win for the Gunners, who as things stand, look like Manchester City's biggest challengers for the title early on. As always, the national media have reacted to the win, so let's take a look at what's been said.
'Relentless' Martinelli - The Guardian
Martinelli earned the Player of the Match award for a fantastic performance, something that's been widely praised.
"He was relentless at the Emirates Stadium, a pest, a nag, a constant creative press, in a game that saw him torture not just one but two Liverpool right-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold having left the field at the break after a collision in the first half," Barney Ronay wrote for The Guardian.
"There was a feeling of merciful release in his departure at that point. Martinelli had made Liverpool’s right-back do strange things, take odd choices, to the extent there was something unsettling about seeing a champion player spend the first half basically running in circles."
Arsenal pass their test - Daily Mail
The Gunners have a very difficult October on paper, but they've started it well by beating both Tottenham and Liverpool.
"Liverpool were better than they have been in recent weeks, and had the best of the first-half despite conceding two goals. By the end, Arsenal fans were dancing in the stands to Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up," Martin Samuel wrote for The Daily Mail.
"Maybe the Tony Adams effect, maybe the sheer joy of having passed the test. These last eight days were supposed to show the measure of Arsenal. Home games, true, but against Tottenham and Liverpool. Let's see where they are after that double header, said the cynics.
"Still top, as it turns out. Six points from six. Still ahead of a team that supposedly will cruise this."
Arteta experiment provides food for thought - The Express
Mikel Arteta played Takehiro Tomiyasu vs Liverpool despite having Kieran Tierney fit. The Japanese international made light work of Mohamed Salah who was eventually subbed off before the closing period of play.
"So far this season, the left-back position has been a battle ground between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney. Against Liverpool the former was ruled out through injury and the latter was left on the bench as Takehiro Tomiyasu was thrust into unfamiliar territory," Charlie Gordon wrote for the The Express.
"More comfortable at right-back or centre-back, the Japanese's versatility came to the fore as he pocketed Mohamed Salah, who had no joy whatsoever at the Emirates. Tomiyasu's left-sided partnership with Martinelli also proved to be a fruitful one as his defensive solidity allowed the Brazility to roam free up ahead."
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Martinelli's contract, Saka's penalty and Jurgen Klopp
Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool as Gabriel Martinelli is outstanding and Bukayo Saka stars
Gabriel Martinelli tore three Liverpool players apart in sensational display in Arsenal victory
Martinelli's pre-match joke as Odegaard shouts at Saka: Arsenal moments missed vs Liverpool
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
