Liverpool’s Luis Suarez dived to win a penalty and, as Rasheed Wallace often emphasized emphatically, the ball don’t lie. Whether it was karma or merely long limbs merged with tremendous athleticism, Wojciech Szczesny saved Dirk Kuyt’s penalty and then hurled himself back across goal to knock away his rebound attempt. Arsenal would later hold out against a barrage and come from behind to win 2-1.

The Gunners’ win was fortunate, but also critical. The club in crisis has quietly mounted a four-match league winning streak. Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to West Brom gives Arsenal a three-point lead for fourth place. A Man United win over Tottenham tomorrow would leave them just four points behind Tottenham for third place.

While not playing the “beautiful football” of Wenger lore, the wins have toughened Arsenal mentally. This season has started sourly and progressed bitterly, but some sweetness at the close would surely cut the aftertaste.

[Video via 101GG]