Arsenal clear at top with 2-0 win over Liverpool

LONDON (AP) - Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the English Premier League by beating Liverpool 2-0 with superb individual goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta released Bacary Sagna down the right in the 19th minute and the full back's excellent cross was headed firmly onto the post by Cazorla. The Spanish midfielder then collected the rebound and volleyed into the upper left corner. In the 59th, Ramsey received the ball from Mesut Ozil, dribbled forward and patiently waited for the ball to bounce up in front of him before unleashing a thunderous shot that dipped over the hand of Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

The match was a big test for Arsenal because critics believed the team moved to the league summit against relatively easy opposition.

Liverpool was in second place going into the match and now sits third, behind Chelsea on an inferior goal difference.

In their previous two home games, the Gunners faced strong opposition and lost both games - to Borrussia Dortmund in the Champions League group stage and to Chelsea in the League Cup. After those defeats, some said Arsenal would wither against its main rivals like Liverpool.

But Arsenal's league form has been stellar since losing the opening match to Aston Villa, with the London club winning eight and drawing one.

Up until Cazorla's goal, the teams were engaged in a midfield battle and neither gained a foothold. Liverpool pressed high up the pitch, but Arsenal managed to stifle the visitors' rhythm and was content to build from the back.

Cazorla's goal invigorated Arsenal and the home team began to surge forward. The midfielder nearly scored a second but a flying save from Mignolet denied him, and the hosts had a number of other opportunities.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge had the only meaningful chance of the first half for the visitors, but his weak, 20-yard shot was easily caught by Wojciech Szczesny. But Liverpool started the second half brightly, with Luis Suarez creating danger on several occasions.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud then missed two chances to put the game away, first missing a chip after intercepting a poor pass from Kolo Toure, and then failing to connect properly with the ball in front of goal.

Liverpool had a chance for a late consolation goal, but Suarez chose to shoot across the face of goal instead of setting up strike partner Sturridge at the far post and the Uruguayan's shot missed.

Arsenal's next two fixtures are tough ones, away matches against Dortmund and Manchester United.