Arsenal’s aspirations to clinch their long-anticipated Premier League title faced a significant setback as they were defeated 1-0 by defending champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

It was a game of few chances with neither side willing to take too many risks going forward.

A spectacular moment was required to break the standstill as Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a superb free-kick from 32 yards out. The Gunners couldn’t muster a response and enter the international break trailing the leaders by three points.

Gabriel Martinelli

Time and again, Gabriel Martinelli had received the ball on Arsenal’s left flank, in space, only to capitulate.

The hesitation when handling the ball, with teammates visibly open for a pass, coupled with a general lack of end product, characterized a performance that has become all too customary in an Arsenal jersey.

The 24-year-old dazzled on the main stage in his 2022-23 breakthrough Premier League season, mustering 15 goals and six goals.

Yet of late, he has hugely underwhelmed. There were number of instances against Liverpool which frustrated both his team and supporters.

Ten minutes into the game, the Brazilian found himself with space but failed to play Viktor Gyokeres through on goal. Instead, he dribbled aimlessly, resulting in a lost opportunity; had he been more aware, Martinelli would’ve seen Gyokeres available.

Martinelli also frequently found himself in one-on-one encounters with Dominic Szoboszlai, causing a slowdown in Arsenal’s play.

This was a continuation of his ineffectiveness, in terms of final product, so far this season — and in the previous campaign, too.

Many anticipated that new acquisition Eberechi Eze would begin on the left flank, but Mikel Arteta — who has consistently stood by Martinelli through various performances — chose to go with his usual selection.

That turned out to be the wrong decision, no matter that Eze has had little time to bed in at a new club.

The ex-Crystal Palace forward’s substitution for Martinelli in the 70th minute added an injection of urgency into the Arsenal frontline, which caused things to happen.

From here on in, it is clear that the Gunners are best served with Martinelli on the bench as an impact sub.

The left flank is surely Eze or Noni Madueke’s, both playing on the left or right wings while Bukayo Saka is injured. It would be self-jeopardy by Arteta if he decides otherwise.

And if the right money comes in, a move away for Martinelli at some point could be a sensible financial decision.

Noni Madueke shows his worth

The £52million signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea to Arsenal certainly caused a stir in the Gunners fanbase.

The hashtag #NoToMaduke trended, and even a petition was launched against his move.

After his display against Liverpool, the doubters will be wondering why they dismissed the man before he had even been given a chance.

Madueke was Arsenal’s brightest spark in offence, constantly driving forward to trouble the opposition backline.

Milos Kerkez had a stressful afternoon, as he tried to contend with attacker mercilessly dribbling at him with pace and intention.

It saw Madueke win a number of corners and his strike on 22 minutes required a good save by Allison.

His directness was in stark contrast to Martinelli and provided an element which has often been missing on that left flank, the Gunners relying on the majestic talents of Bukayo Saka on the right wing.

It was a highlight for the north London club in a game they played well in, but lost.

The price for Madueke was high, yes, but this performance showed just why the hierarchy opted for him. His tight dribbling skill at pace is impressive, and he has a good cross on him, too. The winger can build from here.

He has not arrived at Arsenal to sit on the bench.

Early season Arsenal blow

Arteta will be smarting. This was an opportune moment to show so early in the season that Arsenal have the credentials to go one better and win the league after three consecutive runners-up finishes.

Instead, arguably, his team outperformed Liverpool overall, only to walk away with a defeat because of Dominic Szoboslzai’s wonder free-kick.

This result is not a defining moment, the season less than a month old. But it is dropping points in these games across a campaign which can prove the distance between becoming champions and falling short once again.

A victory at Anfield — a place Arsenal are now winless in their past 13 league games, the last win dating back to September 2012 — would have done much in terms of setting a marker that maybe, just maybe, a page had been turned in north London. Even a draw could have sufficed somewhat because of the context of facing the reigning champions.

The visitors were defensively solid, especially given that Cristhian Mosquera had to assuredly step in after just five minutes because of William Saliba’s injury.

It was Arteta’s choice to start Martinelli and Mikel Merino instead of Eze and Martin Odegaard which in the end had an influence.

Odegaard had just come back from injury so it was necessary to start on the bench, but Eze should have either started or been substituted on much sooner than 70 minutes.

It was an afternoon that promised so much for Arsenal, but fell flat; a familiar sign for Arteta and his men.