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Arsenal’s struggles continue in 2-0 loss to Liverpool in FA Cup

Published:Monday | January 8, 2024 | 12:10 AM
Liverpool's Luis Diaz (right) celebrates after his side's first goal during the English FA Cup match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates stadium in London yesterday. The opening goal was an own goal by Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior.
AP
Liverpool’s Luis Diaz (right) celebrates after his side’s first goal during the English FA Cup match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates stadium in London yesterday. The opening goal was an own goal by Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior.

LONDON, England (AP):

Three straight losses, an elimination from the FA Cup, and the ominous sight of Manchester City back in form and boosted by the return of Kevin De Bruyne.

These are worrying times for Arsenal.

In a heavyweight third-round matchup in the FA Cup, Arsenal’s increasingly alarming problems in front of goal were further exposed in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool yesterday.

An end-to-end contest was settled by two late goals —– an own-goal by Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior in the 80th minute and a fierce strike by Luis Diaz in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Arsenal have now lost four of their last seven matches in all competitions, including its last three in a row.

“We need to reset,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “This (upcoming winter) break is good. It has come at a good time.”

Arsenal has had 48 shots in their last two home games – taking in the 2-0 loss to West Ham in the Premier League on December 28 – and not scored a goal. That statistic, plus a knee injury to first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus that made him miss the game, could yet tempt manager Mikel Arteta to go into the transfer market this month.

Otherwise, Arsenal risks falling short again this season, just like in the last campaign when the team faded late on and were beaten to the Premier League title by fast-finishing Manchester City.

“If the team is getting hammered, not playing well and not deserving to win football matches, I would be much more worried,” said Arteta, attempting to stay positive. “I love winning, and we have to win many more games.

“But at the moment, the thing we have to change, what we have to reset, is up here,” he added, pointing to his head.

Even more worrying for Arsenal and Arteta, Man City look in prime shape heading into the second half of the season, with a 5-0 win over second-tier Huddersfield in the FA Cup notable for the return from injury of De Bruyne after nearly five months out.

De Bruyne hasn’t played since sustaining a hamstring injury at Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season on August 11. The Belgium playmaker came on as a 57th-minute substitute – when City were 2-0 ahead – and provided the cross that fellow replacement Jeremy Doku converted for the final goal in a one-sided match at Etihad Stadium.

City manager Pep Guardiola welcomed back a midfielder he described as “exceptional” and ”unique”.

“Kevin helps us to win games, and there are few like him in the world,” Guardiola said. “I’m pretty sure Kevin felt how our people are in love with him. This mutual respect will last forever.”

Phil Foden scored twice, Julian Alvarez added another, and there was an own-goal for the defending champions, who saw defender Manuel Akanji go off injured in the first half.