Third-placed Arsenal edged fourth-placed Liverpool 1-0 in the midweek Premier League fixture. Diaby headed the Gunners into the lead with just under twenty minutes remaining, and although pressed for an equaliser, their seven game unbeaten run was brought to an end. - Premier League Table -

In an evenly contested opening 45 minutes Arsenal had the best chance of the first-half. Bendtner was played in, but the Dane failed to keep his effort down, slicing his shot over the bar.

The Reds created a couple of half-chances to score, but a right-foot shot from Maxi was charged down by the Arsenal defence, and a dangerous free-kick from Gerrard was smothered by Almunia in the home goal.

Lucas Leiva came whiskers away from opening the scoring straight after the restart. The midfielder ran onto a Kuyt pass but his shot from just inside the Arsenal box flew inches over the bar.

Liverpool had started the second-half on top and Ngog was denied when through on goal by a last-ditch block from William Gallas.

Rosicky mis-controlled when in space in the Red box, before firing over from the edge of the area moments later as the Gunners enjoyed a good period of play.

There was a shortage of clear openings but the home side were to take the lead with their next dangerous attack. The ball was worked out wide to Rosicky and his cross was met in the air by Diaby who powered a header past Reina.

Substitute Babel was denied by an excellent finger-tip save from Almunia who pushed the striker’s shot onto the bar. The Arsenal keeper then saved again from Maxi as the Reds piled forward in search of an equaliser.

During the four minutes of stoppage-time a Gerrard free-kick struck Fabregas’ hand, but nothing was given as the Gunners held on for all three points.


- Match Stats: Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Nasri (Rosicky, 34), Bendtner (Sagna, 82), Arshavin (Walcott, 68)

Booked: Clichy, Bendtner

Goals: Diaby 71

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher (Degen, 54), Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Lucas Leiva (Babel, 78), Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Ngog

Booked: Maxi, Degen