Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Three goals in eight first-half minutes saw Arsenal move into second place in the Premier League table while simultaneously denting Liverpool's Champions League hopes in a 4-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Goals from Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez put the Anfield club to the sword with a quick-fire burst ahead of the interval.

Jordan Henderson pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, but Olivier Giroud restored the Gunners' three-goal advantage with a superb strike from the edge of the area in injury time.

Ozil had been the architect for the two opening goals in a performance which underlined why he remains a key figure for the Gunners, who claimed their seventh successive league victory.

Arsenal moved four points behind Chelsea in the table, but the manner of the win will have had Jose Mourinho nodding after claiming on Friday that the Gunners were genuine title challengers.

But it was an afternoon to forget for the Merseysiders as Emre Can was dismissed in the 84th minute for a second caution, and all after a week in which the future of Raheem Sterling at the club had dominated the headlines.

Sterling maintained his place in the Liverpool team after a controversial week for the forward in which he had spoken openly about his contract situation at the club with BBC Sport.

Lazar Markovic came in for Adam Lallana, while Lucas Leiva and Kolo Toure replaced the suspended Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel. 

Arsenal also made three changes with Bellerin, Per Mertesacker and Ozil coming into the starting XI in place of Calum Chambers, Gabriel Paulista and Danny Welbeck.

There was a surprise on the Gunners bench, though, with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny absent from the squad completely with a rib injury.

Simon Mignolet was forced into a great early save with an outstretched right hand in the fourth minute to deny Santi Cazorla.

Moments later, Mignolet was again required to thwart Aaron Ramsey after Toure gave the ball away. The goalkeeper's parry was then cleared by the Ivory Coast defender as Cazorla closed in.

Arsenal were in control of the game in the opening 15 minutes, but there were signs that Liverpool were finding their feet after a wayward start.

And a better pass from Philippe Coutinho to an unmarked Alberto Moreno could have set up the Spaniard in the 17th minute.

Liverpool missed a glaring opportunity in the 19th minute when Coutinho's smart pass found Markovic running into the area. With David Ospina closing down, Markovic overhit a pass to Sterling, who could not turn the ball home.

Cazorla lost possession with a misplaced pass in the 25th minute, allowing Markovic to find Sterling, who made space on the edge of the area before shooting just wide.

There was some concern for Liverpool two minutes later as Mamadou Sakho went to ground clutching his ankle.

Sterling was again involved in another chance when his clipped ball into the area evaded the Arsenal defence but also Jordan Henderson, who had raced into the area.

The Merseysiders were now the dominant team, and the Gunners were finding it hard to escape their own half of the field.

In the 37th minute, though, Arsenal broke the deadlock through an unlikely source. Ozil picked out a superb deep pass for Ramsey, who played in Bellerin as he chased into the area. The right-back controlled the ball brilliantly before rounding Moreno and sending a curling strike beyond Mignolet.

Three minutes later, the Gunners added a second. Sakho brought down Ozil just outside the Liverpool penalty area for a free-kick, and the Germany international stepped up to deliver a perfect curling strike beyond Mignolet.

In the final minute of the half, Arsenal added a third to effectively seal the three points. Bellerin sent a first-time ball forward to Ramsey, who laid it off to Alexis. The Chile international needed no second asking and fired past Mignolet to make it 3-0.

Brendan Rodgers needed a change for the second half and brought on Daniel Sturridge for Markovic.

Emre Can was shown the first yellow card of the day in the 49th minute for a foul on Cazorla before Gabriel came on for Laurent Koscielny.

Olivier Giroud looked set to add a fourth in the 55th minute, but Mignolet atoned for his part in the earlier goals with a superb reflex stop from the Frenchman's point-blank header.

At the other end, Can brought a fine save from Ospina with a diving effort to his left.

Arsenal made their second change on the hour mark as Ramsey came off for Mathieu Flamini as Wenger sought to defend his team's lead.

Ozil made way for Welbeck in the 73rd minute, and came off the field to a rousing ovation from the Arsenal supporters.

Liverpool were gifted a potential lifeline moments later when Bellerin brought down Sterling inside the area, and Henderson slotted home from the penalty spot.

Giroud played in Welbeck for a run at goal with 10 minutes remaining, but Mignolet stood his ground to block the England international.

Any hopes of a Liverpool comeback were ended six minutes from time as Can was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Welbeck to reduce the Reds to 10 men. 

Cazorla almost added a fourth after a beautiful one-touch move ended in a Nacho Monreal cross which the Spaniard turned against the post.

In injury time, Giroud struck a fine fourth for Arsenal after collecting an Alexis through ball to rub salt into the Liverpool wounds.

The victory could be viewed as revenge for the Gunners' crushing defeat at Anfield last season, but its manner will have supporters wondering whether Arsenal can catch Chelsea with seven games remaining.

Selected Player Ratings

Simon Mignolet: B

The Liverpool goalkeeper twice denied Arsenal with world-class saves in the opening stages but should have done better with the Gunners' second and third goals. He produced another superb stop from Giroud to keep the scoreline down. A mixed day for the Belgian.

Mesut Ozil: A+

The Arsenal man appeared off the pace in the opening stages of the game, but when he found his feet he became the catalyst for the late first-half demolition of Liverpool.

Raheem Sterling: B

Unfortunate not to put a bad week behind him with an early opener but ultimately struggled in a poor team performance.

Hector Bellerin: A-

The Arsenal defender was an unlikely first scorer but showed great skill and control for his goal. He began the move for Sanchez's third for the Gunners with a superb delivery to Ramsey. Blotted his copybook by giving away a penalty but a solid display.

Post-Match Reaction