Arsenal overcame Granit Xhaka’s red card and dug deep to hold Liverpool to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, giving them hope of reaching the showpiece at Wembley.
Xhaka handed the home side the initiative when he brought down Diogo Jota, who was charging in on goal before the Swiss stuck a boot into his ribcage.
However, the hosts looked sloppy and ponderous in possession during the first half, often allowing Arsenal to regain numbers in defence as they struggled to break down their visitors.
The Gunners were dangerous on the counter, with Bukayo Saka particularly lively, but they couldn’t maintain possession for long enough and were consigned to dealing with Liverpool pressure for most of the contest.
Despite their persistent knocking, Liverpool failed to register a shot on target in the opening 80 minutes, with the absences of AFCON duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane particularly evident.
Jota has thrived alongside that pair while Takumi Minamino has already scored four goals in the Carabao Cup this season, but neither of them nor Roberto Firmino looked like netting on a disappointing night for the Anfield side.
It was Minamino who had the chance to win the game after Aaron Ramsdale made a hash of a cross, but he could only slice a half-volley into row Z with the goal at his mercy.
The draw gives Arsenal – who had Martin Odegaard ruled out with Covid-19 before Cedric Soares got injured and was substituted within 12 minutes – real hope of reaching the final, with Chelsea awaiting the winners of the tie.
The next leg is due to be played next Thursday at the Emirates.
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