<div><p>Andrei Arshavin breathed fresh life into Arsenal's quest to win the English Premier League title and left Liverpool facing a battle to finish in the top four as the Gunners won 2-1 here Sunday.</p><p>Arsenal fell behind to Dirk Kuyt's goal shortly before half-time but levelled soon after the break through a Glen Johnson own-goal.</p><p>Russia international Arshavin, who scored four goals in last season's 4-4 draw at Anfield, then produced a sublime moment of skill to complete Arsenal's fightback with a slickly-taken, forceful shot, just before the hour mark.</p><p>Victory saw Arsenal regain third place and move to within six points of leaders Chelsea, held to a draw by Everton on Saturday and three of second-placed champions Manchester United, beaten by Aston Villa on Saturday, with a game in hand over the top two.</p><p>By contrast, defeat left Liverpool five points adrift of the top four finish they will need to bring Champions League football back to Anfield next season.</p><p>There was little between the two teams in a scrappy opening to the game but Liverpool should have taken the lead with 11 minutes on the clock.</p><p>Steven Gerrard raced into space down the right and timed his cross perfectly for Fernando Torres but the striker shot disappointingly straight at Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.</p><p>Almost immediately Liverpool's star men combined again with Torres slipping Gerrard through and the Reds captain going down under a challenge from William Gallas with the home players appealing for a penalty.</p><p>Arsenal's first real threat came with a free-kick swung in by Cesc Fabregas but Thomas Vermaelen could only head over from around eight yards out.</p><p>Liverpool continued to enjoy the ascendency and after Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia's desperate punch to clear Gerrard's free kick, Johnson's follow-up was deflected wide.</p><p>And just before the half hour Kuyt burst into the area from Johnson's quick throw and squared for Gerrard, whose drive at goal was blocked by Alex Song.</p><p>Arsenal looked dangerous on the break without ever creating good chances and Denilson's lofted effort from 25 yards, easily held by Pepe Reina, was an indication of their frustration.</p><p>And in the 41st minute Liverpool took the lead through Kuyt.</p><p>Almunia failed to deal with Fabio Aurelio's clipped free-kick into the area, only palming the ball away, and Dutch international Kuyt rolled the ball into an empty net for his sixth goal of the season.</p><p>But five minutes into the second-half Samir Nasri's deflected cross eventually rebounded off Johnson and into the Liverpool net.</p><p>Torres looked for an immediate response but he was thwarted by Almunia after a powerful run into the box.</p><p>And in the 58th minute, Arsenal moved in front thanks to another Anfield goal from Arshavin.</p><p>Johnson hesitated and failed to deal with Fabregas's lob into the area and Arshavin was first to react and hit a first-time shot that flew in off the post with Reina rooted to the spot.</p><p>Liverpool rallied and Kuyt's whipped cross from the right was steered just wide of goal by Torres.</p><p>But Arshavin threatened once again with a 20-yard drive that Reina held at his near post.</p><p>And despite some concerted pressure, Liverpool never looked like finding an equaliser and slipped to a sixth league defeat of the season.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=65380036&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2009  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP Global Edition</a></div></div>