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      Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE REACTION: Jota dream double sees Liverpool book EFL Carabao Cup place vs Chelsea – latest

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      LIVERPOOL are through to the Carabao Cup final after winning 2-0 at Arsenal in the semi-final second leg.Portuguese sensation Diogo Jota scored both the games, which were both assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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      Jot on the cards
      Jurgen Klopp reckons he always knew Diogo Jota would repay his £40million transfer fee.
      The German master said: “We scored two wonderful goals, Diogo Jota is on fire.
      “We were completely convinced when he arrived at the club he would help us massively.
      “Since he is here he has made another step, he has turned into a really world class striker.”
      Chances blown
      Arteta knows his side paid the price for missing chances in both halves.
      Lacazette was guilty of spurned opportunities, as was Smith-Rowe and Martinelli.
      The Spanish boss said: “We are really disappointed not to be in the final but we played against a top side. 
      “We had big moments in both halves and when you have those moments you have to score.
      “They had nothing and then got a bit of luck to score the first and then they put the game to bed.
      “We pushed for the game but you have to convert your chances like Liverpool did.”
      Yellow peril
      The FA is investigating a yellow card an unnamed Arsenal player received in a Premier League game earlier this season.
      Irregular betting patterns were noticed and the situation is being investigated.
      Mikel Arteta knows about it and remains calm.
      He said: “I am aware of it. Investigations are really common into certain things and we will see what happens.”
      Art of war
      Mikel Arteta defends Thomas Partey getting sent off in a 15 minute cameo.
      The midfielder only flew into London at midday after a 12-hour flight back from Cameroon.
      He said: “I regret that I cannot use him now, he made the effort to come and we had to play him.
      “We decided to use him and unfortunately it happened. The red card was not because he arrived late.
      “The red cards are a concern for me because we played the last three games with 10 men and  it is extremely difficult to win football matches.”
      Big Dijk hails little Jota
      Liverpool giant Virgil van Dijk sings the praises of his side’s star striker.
      Diogo Jota has grabbed the baton while Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are in cameroon for the Afcon.
      He said: “Diogo Jota is already a fantastic player, the numbers speak for themselves.
      “He is very important, he has shown it from last year and a difficult striker/winger to play against. I know it from training. He has stepped up tonight again.
      “He took the second goal fanatically well, a great ball form Trent Alexander-Arnold and it put relief in the team.
      “If it was 1-0 in the last 10 minutes it might have been tricky. We controlled the game overall and did not have massive chances.”
      German double
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is informed the League Cup final with Chelsea will be the first British final contested by two German managers.
      “Sorry!” he jokes when given the stat.
      “We have plenty of time and games before then and it will not be about two german managers.
      “It will be about two good football teams.”
      Jota on fire
      Klopp beamed: “A final at Wembley is great, it was due and we are really happy about it, we are over the moon.
      “It was a difficult game and a difficult time but the boys made it an exceptional night.
      “Arsenal started pretty lively, with the crowd, but we calmed it down.
      “We scored two wonderful goals, Diogo Jota is on fire, absolutely outstanding.”
      Alexander-Arnold loving fan power
      The last time Liverpool had something to celebrate, covid rules meant fans were kept away.
      So the assist king is excited to see all the Scousers at Wembley next month against Chelsea.
      He said: “It is what we want, it was not the same when we left Anfield as an empty stadium (after winning the Premier League).
      “It has been a while to lift a trophy and it is good for us to be in a final. There are still 90 minutes to do that against a top side.”
      Mercy for Mikel
      Arsenal legend Paul Merson has some sympathy for the struggling Gunners manager.
      You can’t win everything with kids, apparently.
      Merson says: “They will be disappointed and the problem Arteta has is this is a young team that can be up and down.
      “Around 27 and older you get consistency, 7/10s week after week.
      “But younger than that and you can lurch from 9s to 4s.”
      TAA’s allstar
      The Liverpool ace says: “It’s good for us to get to the final, it is what we expect.
      “We performed very well tonight and we deserved the win.
      “We never gave them too many chances, we kept them at bay and we created a couple ourselves.
      “Both goals were outstanding and Diogo is a world class player in possibly the best form of his time here.”
      League Cup Lovers from Liverpool
      Liverpool’s victory tonight sees them qualify for the League Cup final for the 13th time, the most of any team in the competition’s history.
      Nailing down the earliest possible trophy could help the Anfield club finish strong in other competitions.
      Jurgen Klopp will be beaming.
      Empty Emirates
      No trophies in the beautifully crafted Emirates cabinet this year.
      Will Arteta accept defeat graciously. Or will excuses tumble from his narrow little lips?
      Either way, nothing to celebrate for the Gunners this season. Nada.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      All over.
      Arsenal out.
      Liverpool vs Chelsea in the League Cup final.
      Partey cancelled. Work events hanging on by a thread.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      93 Liverpool threaten to add insult to injury, defeat and suspension but the Arsenal backline holds out.
      Jota is named the MotM thanks to his two goals.
      Partey was apparently third in the running among Gooooooners.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      92 Partey was sent on after 74 minutes.
      Booked for the first time on 87 minutes.
      And was running the early bath by 90.
      Toodles Tom.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      90 Thomas Partey is sent off for two yellows.
      He has been on just a few minutes.
      He only landed in England at lunchtime back from Afcon.
      Should not have bothered.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      89 “Mum, dad, I am going down the Emirates to launch myself onto the world stage and make my name.”
      “What coat of you got on, don’t tell me it’s that ropey excuse for a parka again?”
      “Yes it is thank you but it’s fine, the trim is just a bit worn.”
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      That parka has left a really bad taste in my mouth.
      If you are going to get arrested while beging for the attention of tens of thousands of people, have a decent coat on.
      I hope the police address this with him and confiscate the offending item.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      84 Bobby Firmino gets a rest so Neco Williams can have a few minutes of cameo action.
      A dim-witted fan invades the pitch and teases the stewards until his capture earns a roar from the crowd.
      The offender was wearing a cheap parka – you know the ones where the fur lining looks like a lanky squirrel has died on your mum’s anorak.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      82 Martinelli – by far Arsenal’s best player – blasts a self-made chance over the bar.
      Jones gets booked for losing the ball and fouling his Arsenal counterpart.
      Mikel Arteta’s men are going out with a bit of a whimper now.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2
      76 Jota scores after beating the Arsenal offside trap.
      The Liverpool forward sneaks in and dinks Ramsdale but the flag flies up and VAR checks
      It takes an age but Martin Atkinson points to the centre spot.
      Ruthless Liverpool, toothless Arsenal.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 1
      74 Eddie Nketiah replaces Lacazette and Thomas Partey replaces Smith-Rowe.
      Partey only landed in London this lunchtime after the Afcon.
      Liverpool hack away everything Arsenal try.
      James Milner comes on for Jordan Henderson.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 1
      73 Martinelli gives Liverpool a brief fright but firing at the top corner on the angle but Kelleher palms it off for a corner.
      Liverpool clear the next cross.
      Martinelli tries again but the yellow defence is solid.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 1
      71 Odegaard tries to muster an opening.
      Martinelli does his best too but Van Dijk heads his cross away.
      Liverpool’s defence is watertight.
      Arsenal 0 Liverpool 1
      69 Contract rebel Eddie Nketiah is preparing to enter the game for Lacazette.
      His side is almost 2-0 down but Minamino fires into a haze of Arsenal bodies instead of the goal.
      Liverpool are enjoying possession now while Arsenal are rushing and wasting theirs.
      Load more entries… More

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      Arsenal verdict: Kieran Tierney trapped in fellow Scot Andrew Robertson’s shadow as Liverpool secure Wembley final trip

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      NOT one but TWO Scotsmen on the same pitch contesting a place in a major English cup final. Hooray for Holyrood.OK, it was only the face off between opposing left backs Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney in the semi-final second-leg of the Carabao Cup.
      Kieran Tierney was bested by fellow Scottish left-back Andrew Robertson as Arsenal lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Robertson kept Bukayo Saka quiet throughout in the second-leg at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      Hardly in the same level of excitement as Graeme Souness, Charlie Nicholas and Kenny Dalgish.
      But it’s still the kind of football milestone that won’t have gone unnoticed north of the border, where putting your boots on the right feet is an excuse for a celebration p*** up.
      Robertson and Tierney often line up together in defence for their national team.
      But at the Emirates it was time to see who handled the occasion better with a place at Wembley up for grabs.
      Liverpool’s crusading and fiery full-back Robertson has lost only one game for club and one for his country this season.
      It might be coincidence but Liverpool didn’t win while he served a three-match ban over Christmas, underlining his influence and importance to boss Jurgen Klopp.
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      He is 25th on the list of Scotland’s all-time greats according to the SFA – sandwiched between fellow tartan illuminaries Andy Goram and Kenny Miller.
      He is embedded in this Liverpool team and cemented into the left back slot for Scotland.
      And he shouldn’t be too concerned about losing it to his Arsenal counterpart anytime soon.
      Where Robertson was vocal, mobile and confident, Tierney struggled to get out of the shadow of an official Scottish legend.
      Tasked with marking rookie winger Kaide Gordon, it should have been a routine night for Tierney to mop up any danger then throw his weight behind waves of Arsenal attacks.
      Particularly with home advantage putting wind in his back after doing the hard bit and grinding a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the first-leg last week.
      It can only have been direct orders from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ordering Tierney to restrain himself and let Gabriel Martinelli do the hard work up front.
      One feeble cross into the box in the first-half and a throw-in near the by-line with 16 minutes to go was the best he could offer going forwards.
      As one of three Gunners defenders closing in on Diogo Jota, Tierney turned away and allowed the Portuguese schemer to stick the ball between his feet en route to the goal with a shot that barely reached the line.
      Robertson meanwhile, did a sterling job keeping Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka quiet on the opposing flank.
      A magnificent block in the first half when the exciting youngster was through on goal, followed by barking a stream of orders at his defence.
      One error early on with a poorly-timed tackle on the exciting England winger led to Alexandre Lacazette grazing the bar with a free kick.
      But Robbo is on his way to Wembley next month and rightly so after an unofficial captain’s performance at the back played a key role in seeing Liverpool through.
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal ratings: Tomiyasu has stinker vs Liverpool as classy Odegaard only bright spark in Gunners’ Carabao Cup defeat

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      ARSENAL lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at the Emirates on Thursday as their Wembley dream crumbled.Takehiro Tomiyasu had an absolute shocker at right-back while Martin Odegaard’s calmness and class in midfield meant he was one of few bright sparks for the home side.
      Martin Odegaard was best of a fairly average bunch at the EmiratesCredit: EPA
      Takehiro Tomiyasu looked miles off the pace and had a night to forgetCredit: Rex
      Alexandre Lacazette hit the bar with a free-kick in the early stages after Bukayo Saka was brought down on the edge of the box.
      And just minutes later Diogo Jota left Tomiyasu for dead before his scuffed effort wrong-footed Aaron Ramsdale and trickled over the line.
      It was a fairly attritional affair for the remainder with neither team creating any huge chances until Jota sealed the win with 13 minutes to go.
      Arsenal lost the ball in sloppy fashion in the middle of the park, Trent Alexander-Arnold looped a trademark ball over the top, and Jota took it on his chest and dinked it over the on-rushing Ramsdale.
      It survived a VAR check that showed Gabriel just played him onside and the Merseysiders cruised to the end without being troubled.
      And here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of the Gunners’ individual performances.
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      AARON RAMSDALE – 6/10
      Couldn’t do much for the first goal as Jota’s mis-hit fooled everyone.
      Huge double save just before the hour mark when he kept Ibrahima Konate’s header out from a corner before blocking Jordan Henderson’s goal-bound effort from the floor.
      Wasn’t to know the England midfielder was offside for the second one.
      Well beaten by a great Jota finish for 2-0.
      Ramsdale could only watch on as Jota put Liverpool aheadCredit: Reuters
      TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 3
      Had an absolute stinker.
      Beaten too easily by Jota as the Portuguese whiz dribbled round him to tuck home the opening goal.
      Generally sloppy in and out of possession from then on.
      Booked for tugging back Curtis Jones after he let the Liverpool midfielder nick it off him.
      Jota dribbled round Tomiyasu too easily before he made it 1-0 in the 20th minuteCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      GABRIEL – 5
      Stood up to everything thrown at him.
      Couldn’t be blamed for Liverpool’s opener and then largely saw the game played in front of him.
      Played Jota onside – just – as the winger took it on his chest and sealed Liverpool’s win.
      BEN WHITE – 5
      Solid enough for most of the evening. Couldn’t do anything for Jota’s opener.
      But let the winger past him too easily in the second-half and saw his blushes saved when Kaide Gordon blasted Jota’s pass over the ball.
      Vital block on an Alexander-Arnold cross just past the hour-mark which prevented an almost certain Liverpool goal.
      Ben White and Gabriel could only watch on as Jota’s effort trickled over the line in the first halfCredit: Getty
      KIERAN TIERNEY – 6
      Professional performance. Earned his money.
      Took a whack in the face from Ramsdale in the second-half which was about the most exciting thing involving the Scot all night.
      Kieran Tierney was his usual professional selfCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
      Looked a little flustered on occasion as he played at the base of midfield with Odegaard.
      Played a superb ball through to Lacazette which the Frenchman should have scored on 48 minutes.
      No huge impact but OK overall.
      BUKAYO SAKA – 5
      One of his quieter games.
      Struggled against Robertson down Arsenal’s right as Liverpool’s deep defensive block made counter-attacks difficult for the Gunners.
      MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
      Classy and calm under pressure throughout.
      Played slightly deeper to assist Lokonga and looked a cut above his team-mates.
      The Gunners missed his creative influence further up the pitch where he usually plays.
      Martin Odegaard was a cut above when on the ballCredit: Reuters
      EMILE SMITH ROWE (subbed 73mins) – 4
      The game largely passed him by.
      Fluffed a big chance on the hour mark when a cleared Arsenal corner fell to him on the edge of the box but he blazed over.
      And killed a promising Gunners break with 23 minutes to go when his weak pass to Saka was easily intercepted as Liverpool were on the ropes.
      Understandably hauled off as the Gunners looked for an equaliser.
      GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
      Full of energy and running and had Alexander-Arnold worried on occasion.
      But lacked end product whenever he got into a decent position.
      Beat Alexander-Arnold to force an easy save from Caoimhin Kelleher in the second-half.
      Looked like he was playing better than he actually was. Frustrating for Gooners no doubt.
      ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (subbed, 73mins) – 5
      His free-kick was destined for the top corner before Kelleher got a finger tip to it and brushed it onto the crossbar.
      Booked for a late challenge on Curtis Jones just before the break.
      Blazed over the bar when played through by Sambi Lokonga early in the second-half.
      Hooked as Mikel Arteta chased an equaliser.
      Lacazette got this free-kick over the wall but it cannoned back off the crossbarCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs
      Subs
      EDDIE NKETIAH (replaced Lacazette) – 5
      Zero impact from the bench.
      THOMAS PARTEY (replaced Smith Rowe) – 3
      Was praised in the build up for turning up at the game straight from the airport where he landed at midday from Afcon duty with Ghana.
      But made Arteta wish he’d stayed in Cameroon when he was shown two quick-fire yellow cards and was sent off with mere minutes remaining.
      The first was shown on 87 minutes before a stupid lunge on Fabinho three minutes later sealed his fate.
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      Do away goals count double in Carabao Cup semi-finals and is extra time used when matches are drawn?

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      ARSENAL and Liverpool are meeting in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.The teams drew 0-0 in the first leg at Anfield and now have ALL to play for at the Emirates. The winner will face Chelsea in the final at Wembley on February 27.
      Granit Xhaka’s was sent off in the first leg and will play no part
      Do away goals count in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and is extra time played?
      Cup football is great fun but can sometimes get a little bit confusing.
      Especially when the rules seem to change from competition to competition.
      If a Carabao Cup semi-final ends level on aggregate after two legs this season, the away goals rule will NOT apply.
      Should this happen, the tie will go into 30 minutes of extra time.
      There is no golden goal or anything similar – and if the sides are still level following ET, it’s the dreaded penalties.
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      Does the Carabao Cup have VAR?
      From the semi-final stage up to the final, VAR WILL be used in the Carabao Cup.
      But it will NOT be used in rounds up to the semi-finals this season.
      VAR was used in the Carabao Cup in 2018/19 but the EFL opted to get rid of the system last season on the grounds that it was only being used at Premier League venues.
      This caused particular controversy in the FA Cup when Man City were given a controversial penalty at Swansea and no VAR was allowed to be used even though the Liberty Stadium had the system installed. More

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      Arsenal vs Liverpool set to go ahead as Gunners get FIVE stars, including Saka and Odegaard, back from Covid and injury

      by

      ARSENAL’S Carabao Cup second leg against Liverpool IS set to go ahead with five more Gunners stars available.There were doubts over Thursday night’s match at the Emirates with so many of the home side’s players out of action.
      Bukayo Saka has returned from a knock picked up in the first leg against LiverpoolCredit: AP
      Martin Odegaard missed the match but has now completed his isolation periodCredit: Getty
      It is understood Mikel Arteta was missing 14 players through a combination of Covid, injury, international call-ups and suspension.
      But according to the Daily Mail, the Gunners boss has been boosted by some of those returning and ready for selection.
      Martin Odegaard tested positive for Covid last week but has now completed his isolation period.
      Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares have all shaken off minor injuries.
      And that should rule out the possibility of the match being rearranged.
      The first leg was due to take place at the Emirates on January 6.
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      However, Liverpool got the game cancelled thanks to 40 false positives, with the first leg actually taking place at Anfield last Thursday instead.
      Granit Xhaka was sent off but Arsenal held on for a 0-0 draw.
      But Arsenal picked up a number of injuries in the game – plus Xhaka’s suspension – and their request to have Sunday’s North London derby postponed was granted by the Premier League.
      The call did not go down well with Tottenham, especially as the Gunners let a few senior players leave in January loan transfers.

      But Arteta’s side were not even close to having the 13 senior outfield players plus a goalkeeper available to play.
      Arsenal were handed a further boost, though, with Ghana getting knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
      That means Thomas Partey will return earlier than expected.
      And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also come back from Cameroon.
      But that was over a potential health scare and the former captain is frozen out by Arteta anyway.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Sun Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs More

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      Arteta salutes Arsenal ‘brotherhood’ after surviving SIXTY-SIX minutes with ten men after Xhaka red in Liverpool draw

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA saluted Arsenal’s band of brothers as his ten-man team pulled off an Anfield shut-out in their Carabao Cup semi-final.Granit Xhaka’s first-half red card for a foul on Diogo Jota left the Gunners to play with a man down for 66 minutes.
      Mikel Arteta saluted Arsenal’s band of brothers as his ten-man team pulled off an Anfield shut-outCredit: Getty

      But they still restricted Liverpool to just one shot on target all night to leave next Thursday’s return leg on a knife edge.
      Arteta said: “The players revelled in the situation and showed great fight, determination, attitude and brotherhood.
      “You could see the emotion they were playing with and they never gave up. To survive here that long with ten men is extremely difficult against this opponent.
      “I said to them before the game that you need a certain attitude to play here because in difficult moments you have to act rather than react because then it becomes really complicated.
      “We played the game we had to play which isn’t our game but we do not have any midfielders in the squad so whatever we did was not going to be natural.
      “We played with a midfield three of Martinelli, Lonkonga and Saka and they have never played in that formation in their lives.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      “But it doesn’t matter about the formation. Tonight was all about the attitude of the player and the quality of their decision making.”
      Man of the match Ben White admitted: “It wasn’t ideal to have that red card so early but Granit is looking at the ball and he doesn’t know where the man is.
      “It’s hard enough to come here with 11 men but there is so much fight in this team and we showed that tonight. We dug deep and got the result we needed.”
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claimed that the absence of star strikers Mo Salah and Sadio Mane as well as a number of players returning from false positive Covid tests had affected his team.
      He said: “It’s strange because even without the symptoms the boys who came back were not exactly the same.
      “It’s not an explanation but we have to consider that.
      “I would have preferred to score the goal instead of them getting the red card because after that we had to change the system to be more creative and we couldn’t do that because we’re used to some movements that we don’t have right now.
      The players revelled in the situation and showed great fight, determination, attitude and brotherhood.Mikel Arteta
      “But it doesn’t mean that we cannot solve this issue and that’s exactly what we will do.
      “This tie is only at half-time and I cannot remember any time in my life when I was sitting with 0-0 and thinking we have no chance any more.”
      Now weary Arsenal have to pick themselves up for Sunday’s crucial North London derby and Arteta admitted that he is struggling to name a team after Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers were added to his lengthy injury list.
      Asked whether the match could be called off, he said: “I don’t know. It’s a possibility in every game because of the amount of issues that everyone is having every week.
      “But we always prepare for games thinking we are going to play and if something happens along the way, it is what it is.”
      Ben White was named man of the match at AnfieldCredit: EPA More

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      Liverpool vs Arsenal LIVE REACTION: 10-man Gunners HOLD Liverpool in EFL Carabao Cup semi-final after Xhaka red card

      by

      ARSENAL held Liverpool to a goalless draw in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield after playing for over 66 minutes with 10 men.Granit Xhaka was sent off in the 24th minute for a reckless lunge as the last man on Diogo Jota, which forced the Gunners to successfully stick to their defensive formation for the remainder of the game.
      The second leg at the Emirates is set to take place next Thursday, with Chelsea awaiting the winner in the final at Wembley on February 27 after their victory over Tottenham.

      Kick-off: 7.45pm
      TV/ live stream: Sky Sports Main Event, Football
      Liverpool XI: Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Milner; Minamino, Firmino, Jota
      Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Sambi, Xhaka; Saka, Lacazette, Martinelli; Nketiah

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      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      Not enough Klopptions
      The German boss was not too disheartened with the draw, he said: “We did not see the best of us. We started well but I would rather have scored the goal than got their red card.
      “We changed the formation tonight and I am not surprised that we struggled.
      “We were not good enough but it is a two-legged game.
      “We have an important game in between but then we have the second game and we will give it a proper try.”
      Two to tango
      Paul Merson fears Liverpool will not cope without Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
      The Arsenal hero said: “The biggest worry tonight if I were a Liverpool fan? Salah and Mane.
      “If they play tonight, it’s a different story.
      “You can take two players out of Manchester City’s team, doesn’t really make a difference. Take two out of Chelsea, not really.
      “Take two out of Liverpool, it is completely different.”
      The art-eta of war
      The Arsenal boss loved watching his charges battle side-by-side.
      He said: “I think they showed great fight, determination and attitude, they showed a brotherhood.
      “All credit to the boys. To do what we did deserves a lot of credit.
      “I told them you need a certain attitude to come here and it got extremely complicated after the red card. We played the game we had to play.”
      Carra disappointed
      Jurgen Klopp was not proactive enough for Jamie Carragher’s liking, especially after Arsenal went a man down after 24 minutes.
      The ex-defender said: “I was convinced Jurgen Klopp would make a change [at half-time] and I can’t believe they came out with the same XI.
      “Not that anything wasn’t working in the first half but Arsenal are down to 10 men and you’ve got a very workmanlike midfield.
      “The first substitution was for James Milner on the hour. It had to be made at half-time.
      “It’s probably the only thing I can question Jurgen Klopp about at times. Does he make substitutions early enough?”
      High praise
      Arsenal hero Paul Merson has not always been a fan of his old side’s backline.
      But he was hugely impressed after they battled for over an hour with 10 men.
      He said: “Liverpool made it easy for Arsenal but credit where credit is due.
      “I’ve been a critic of Arsenal’s defence over the years and how they can capitulate in certain games, but today they stood up, every single one of them.
      “Arteta got them in at half-time, set them up, and they all worked. Everybody had to put a shift in and they all worked their socks off.
      “The players and managers should be proud.”
      No White flag
      On the red card, Ben White said: “It was not ideal was it but there is so much fight in this team and it showed today.
      “He (Xhaka) was looking at the ball and didn’t know where the man was.
      “We just did not want to concede but it is hard enough to do with 11 so it was superb from everyone.
      “It was not easy at all, we had a bit of luck but it is also well deserved.”
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      All over and we have to go to The Emirates in a week to settle this one.
      Arsenal have dug in and held off the marauding Scousers.
      The Gunners have run themselves into the ground.
      Big performances from Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      94 There are five additional minutes added on to this League Cup semi-final first-leg.
      And White clears one off the line from Williams after Ramsdale over-commits to a high cross and drops the ball.
      Liverpool’s best chance goes begging.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      92 Arsenal defender Ben White gets named the Man of the Match and that sums up this match.
      Minamino fires over an open goal after Ramsdale finally makes a mistake. Massive chance missed.
      Curtis Jones goes down but it’s never a penalty.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      89 Nico Williams darts down the right and dinks in a cross but Ramsdale claims it.
      Liverpool have missed Salah and Mane so much.
      This will be a great draw for Arsenal after playing for so long with 10 men.
      Williams whips in a cross down the right but Ramsdale gobbles it up again.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      83 Saka does leave the pitch and is replaed by Nuno Tavares.
      Oxlade-Chamberlain takes aim against his former club and hits a minger into the crowd.
      Then his cross is too heavy and bounces out for an Arsenal goal kick.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      79 Saka needs medical attention and looks like he may need replacing.
      The England ace takes a tablet with some water and tries to continue.
      Another Liverpool attack collapses onto Ramsdale’s arms.
      And Henderson skies an effort well over the bar.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      75 Liverpool make three changes all at once.
      Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nico Williams and Joe Gomez on for Fabinho, Alexander-Arnold and Matip.
      Can fresh legs settle this tie?
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      74 Arsenal defender Gabriel goes into the book for a foul.
      Alexander-Arnold is about to be subbed off.
      Martinelli breaks for the Gunners but he cannot complete the killer pass.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      72 Another Liverpool attack amounts to nothing.
      James Milner is seen on the subs’ bench icing his face after taking a whack.
      Minamino boots away a Liverpool clearance.
      Saka gets a chance at close range but cannot convert as Alisson clears.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      68 Matip, Jota and Henderson swap short passes until Arsenal rob them.
      But the visiting 10 men cannot create anything.
      Lacazette is furious with his side’s efforts and then Liverpool go close with Minamino firing across goal.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      65 It looks like a training session out there for Liverpool.
      Arsenal absorbing so much pressure.
      Liverpool are looking for the 82nd goal of their season.
      But Arsenal are digging in and battling.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      62 The Gunners are getting 10 men behind the ball and defending well.
      Crunching tackle between Matip and Saka leaves the Liverpool defender wounded.
      Milner is subbed off for Curtis Jones.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      56 A slow start to the second half.
      The red home side is poking and probing but Arsenal hold firm.Alexander-Arnold tries to find Firmino.
      Robertson gets booked for tugging Saka’s shirt and Alisson punches away the free-kick.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      47 Rapid Ramsdale races out to claim another loose Liverpool pass.
      Arsenal create down the right but Liverpool defend stoically.
      The whistle goes for half-time.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      45 Opening half about to end with the match goalless.
      Both sides have had half-chances.
      But Xhaka’s red has killed Arsenal’s game.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      42 Jurgen Klopp is not happy with a wasted Firmino chance.
      And then Matip gifts Arsenal a corner with a sliced clearance.
      Alisson punches the ball away and then Saka wins a free-kick.
      But it bounces out of play after being over hit.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      40 Holding concedes a corner that Alexander-Arnold takes but it is poor.
      Ramsdale races off his line and claims a Liverpool through-ball.
      Arsenal are sitting off and deep and inviting pressure.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      38 Liverpool win and waste a free-kick own the left.
      The home side calmly builds another attack.
      Henderson passes to Matip and then Firmino.
      Patient build-up play.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      34 Liverpool knocking it about and Arsenal no longer pressing high and hard.
      Tierney belts a clearance into the crowd.
      Alexander-Arnold balloons a cross out for an Arsenal goal-kick.
      Load more entries… More

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      Arsenal verdict: Gunners shoot themselves in the foot yet again… and, as usual, Granit Xhaka is the culprit

      by

      IF the definition of insanity really is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result then Arsenal must be due a visit from the men in white coats.For no other team in the country shoots themselves in the foot on such a regular basis without learning any lessons.
      Granit Xhaka was sent off against LiverpoolCredit: Rex

      And no one epitomises that madness more than serial offender Granit Xhaka.
      Mikel Arteta had spent all week sweating over the availability of the Swiss international who had been in isolation after contracting Covid last week.
      But he probably should have spared himself the stress because Xhaka only lasted 24 minutes before he was heading for another early bath.
      And he really could have no arguments about the fifth sending-off of his Arsenal career after bringing down Diogo Jota on the edge of the area to deny the Liverpool striker a goalscoring opportunity.
      It wasn’t a malicious tackle and his eyes were on the flight of the ball all the time as he tried to intercept Andrew Robertson’s long pass over the top.
      But the second his raised boot caught Jota square in the chest he left ref Michael Oliver with virtually no option but to reach for red.
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      Don’t forget it was Xhaka who conceded the penalty which set Manchester City on their way to victory at the Emirates on New Year’s Day.
      And his indiscipline that day immediately set the tone for centre-half Gabriel, who minutes later became the club’s 100th red card of the Premier League era.
      No other team has yet reached that dubious landmark and rather than cleaning up their act it seems that Arsenal are actually getting worse.
      They have only just stumped up a £20,000 fine after accepting an FA charge of failing to control their players during that frustrating City defeat.
      PREM PLAYER RED CARDS SINCE 2016-17IN all competitions
      Granit Xhaka – 5
      Fernandinho – 5
      David Luiz – 4
      Christian Kabasele – 4

      But they have become so accustomed to playing with ten men that maybe it’s no surprise that they are learning to cope with being outnumbered.
      Because since Arteta was appointed manager in December 2019,  they have suffered no less than 13 red cards in all competitions.
      It’s almost as bad as the early days of Arsene Wenger’s reign, when the likes of Patrick Vieira and Martin Keown would regularly lose the plot and pay the consequences.

      Now Xhaka, who was also dismissed during the 5-0 defeat at Manchester City in August, will be suspended for Arsenal’s next two games away to Spurs on Sunday and the Emirates rematch with Liverpool next Thursday.
      And with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Martin Odegaard Covid positive and Emile Smith Rowe nursing a groin strain, Arteta needs the loss of another midfielder like a hole in the head.
      Yet at least he can take heart from the character and resilience the rest of his makeshift team showed last night to keep this semi-final alive.
      MARK HALSEY’S VERDICTON Xhaka’s red card
      GRANIT XHAKA made it easy for Michael Oliver to send him off after his challenge on Diogo Jota.
      The Arsenal midfielder tried stretching to reach Andy Robertson’s long ball but only succeeded in clattering into the Liverpool attacker.
      It is not clear whether Oliver shows the red card for serious foul play or a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
      With Xhaka’s boot connecting into Jota’s chest you could argue the challenge is endangering the player’s safety.
      However, if it was DOGSO there is an element of doubt to the likelihood of Jota keeping or regaining control of the ball as his first touch bounces off his chest at pace.
      Either way, Xhaka has forced Oliver into making a decision which went against him.

      It would have been the easiest thing in the world for young Arsenal heads to drop the minute Xhaka received his marching orders, particularly given their dreadful recent record at Anfield.
      Yet rather than feeling sorry for themselves they dug deep to keep Liverpool at arm’s length and unable to find a route through to goal.
      And no one owes a greater debt of gratitude to those exhausted Gunners than Xhaka.
      Diogo Jota was taken out by Granit XhakaCredit: Rex More