BUKAYO SAKA’S nerveless spot-kick winner sent Arsenal surging back to the Premier League summit - and torpedoed the title hopes of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. <br /><br />The England winger, fall guy of the Euros Final penalty shoot-out, netted his second of a thrilling, high-tempo match as the Gunners opened up a 14-point lead over their spluttering mid-table visitors. <br /><br />Klopp hauled off Mo Salah with the score at 2-2, and saw Trent Alexander-Arnold suffer a schooling from Gabriel Martinelli before the right-back’s own half-time substitution as Liverpool were left with just two wins from their first eight league matches. <br /><br />This was a triumph for Arteta, whose side led through Martinelli in the first minute, regained their advantage through Saka in the final minute of the first half.<br /><br />And although Liverpool had the better of the opening period and levelled through Darwin Nunez, Arsenal seized control after the break, even though Roberto Firmino conjured a second leveller for the visitors. <br /><br />While a Manchester City fuelled by Erling Haaland’s ceaseless supply of goals remain white-hot favourites for the title, Arteta’s team have confirmed themselves as the most likely challengers with back-to-back home wins against Spurs and Liverpool. <br /><br />The Emirates was throbbing throughout a pulsating Premier League classic - and while the winning penalty was controversial, the way Arsenal won it after weathering Liverpool’s first-half dominance, was hugely encouraging for their manager. <br /><br />Arsenal had won just once in 17 previous attempts against the Reds since Klopp took charge so this was a hugely significant win. <br /><br />Klopp stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation employed in the comfortable midweek win over Rangers and Arteta sprang a surprise by selecting Takehiro Tomiyasu out of position at left-back, ahead of Kieran Tierney, and the Japanese tethered Salah effectively. <br /><br />But as if propelled by their early-season momentum, Arsenal seized the lead within 58 seconds with a precise, rapid move. <br />
