Landmark Arsenal win blows open title race

Three-way fight in prospect as Arteta gets big calls right to sink Reds

- Dan Kilpatrick

Arsenal                      3 
Saka 14, Martinelli 67, Trossard 90+2

Liverpool                 1

FOR the first time in a decade, the Premier League title race is shaping up to be a three-way fight.

Arsenal moved to within two points of leaders Liverpool with a 3-1 win over them yesterday which was both thoroughly-deserved and gifted by visiting goalkeeper Alisson, who was twice at fault for second-half goals.

Wild celebrations from Mikel Arteta, his players and the home supporters underscored what the result means to Arsenal, even if pundit Gary Neville described the scenes as "immature" and suggested the Gunners were above all "relieved" not to have fallen eight points off the pace.

True, a defeat would have left Arsenal's title hopes hanging by a thread and Arteta's side potentially needing to do to both Liverpool and Manchester City what the champions did to them last season by overhauling an eightpoint deficit to top the pile. As it is, Arsenal are bang in the mix of a battle which is tough to call.