And the Swiss international midfielder received a direct red card in the 24th minute after a strong intervention on Diogo Jota outside the penalty area, where he brought down the Portuguese striker, who was on his way to isolation.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded by replacing defender Rob Holding with striker Eddie Nketiah, who scored three goals against third-tier Sunderland in the quarter-finals, leaving Alexandre Lacazette alone in attack.
Despite Liverpool’s possession of the ball, Arsenal kept the hosts out of the danger zone thanks to an impressive performance under pressure, while Liverpool seemed toothless in the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane after they joined their countries’ teams in the African Nations Cup currently held in Cameroon.
“I would have preferred to score a goal than send the Arsenal player off, especially after this match,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports.
“It’s a two-game match and the first half is over and I don’t remember in my life I was a goalless draw before the break and I tell myself ‘We don’t have any other chance’.”
The winner of next week’s rematch will meet Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium on February 27.
most dangerous opportunities
Arsenal’s best chance came in the 71st minute when Bukayo Saka forced goalkeeper Alisson to save a dangerous attempt.
While Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino missed a golden opportunity when he knocked the ball over the goal from close range in the last minute.
That opportunity summed up the performance of Liverpool, who lacked calm against an opponent who was eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round after a surprise defeat against second-tier Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Arsenal defender Ben White, who was named Man of the Match, said: “This team has a fighting spirit and it showed today.
“We pulled everything we had and got the result we wanted… It’s hard to come here and have one of the players sent off. But everyone played really well.”
“You have to focus throughout the game and have luck on your side. The result is well deserved. It’s great that we defended like this.”
And Arteta praised his team’s determination.
“We played the way we should have played, and it’s not our way,” said the Spanish coach, whose side suffered several injuries, with Cedric Soares knocking out after just 12 minutes and his replacement, Calum Chambers, suffering near the end.
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