Saka sinks troubled Liverpool as Arsenal regain top spot

Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka (2R) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 9, 2022. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League and plunged Liverpool’s into turmoil as Bukayo Saka’s double inspired a thrilling 3-2 win on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side has emerged as title challengers and this hard-fought success at the Emirates Stadium was another significant statement of intent.

The Gunners took the lead inside the first minute through Gabriel Martinelli before Darwin Nunez equalised for Liverpool.

Saka put Arsenal back in front late in the first half. Although Roberto Firmino equalised after the interval, Saka’s nerveless penalty sealed Arsenal’s eighth win from their nine league matches.

The Gunners are one point clear of champions Manchester City, who had taken pole position with a win over Southampton on Saturday.

Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

While Arsenal is on the up, Liverpool is in turmoil after their worst start in 10 years.

Without a win in their last three league games, Jurgen Klopp’s men are languishing 14 points behind Arsenal in 10th place. They look a shadow of the side that came within two games of an unprecedented quadruple last season.

Those painful near-misses in the Premier League title race and Champions League final appear to have left Liverpool with a hangover.

Klopp had already conceded it was unlikely they would win the title after such a