Arsenal’s huge clash at home to Liverpool ended in a 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium despite the Gunners taking the lead twice in the first half.
Much of the talk before the match was around the Arsenal XI, and in particular whether Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber would make it following late fitness tests ahead of kick-off. Both players did indeed start, as Mikel Arteta was forced to start Thomas Partey at right-back due to William Saliba’s suspension, with Ben White moving across to take the Frenchman’s usual position at centre-back alongside Gabriel.
With worry and uncertainty amongst much of the Arsenal fanbase ahead of the huge fixture following a poor showing versus Bournemouth and with key players out, Arsenal needed a fast start against the league leaders. And that’s exactly what they got as in the opening ten minutes a perfectly weighted ball from White found Saka who turned inside Andy Roberson and unleashed a powerful strike into the near bottom corner to give Arsenal the lead. The strike was the winger’s 50th Premier League goal, a strong achievement considering Saka has not even reached his prime years yet.
However, the visitors would soon find a reply. A corner swung in by Trent Alexander-Arnold was met by the captain Virgil Van Dijk to nod the ball past Raya just nine minutes after Saka’s opener. A sucker punch for Arsenal and Emirates Stadium after a really encouraging start made by Mikel Arteta’s team. But the lead being lost seemed to spur on the Gunners who began to control the game with most of the play being played in Liverpool territory.
Although despite playing some great football and looking by far the better team compared to their opponents, no clear cut chances could be created by Arsenal, however in the final minutes of the half a free-kick was awarded. The set-piece was delivered by Declan Rice which was inch perfect and met equally brilliantly by Mikel Merino who smashed home his first Arsenal goal with bullet header. There was a long, nervous wait for the goal to be allowed but the good news eventually came with VAR confirming the Spaniard was just onside when Rice’s delivery was played. No one could doubt the goal was deserved and Arsenal were fully deserving of their lead going into the half-time break.
Despite the positive first half, Mikel Arteta’s team were dealt a blow in the opening minutes of the second period when Arsenal had another key player forced off injured, this time Gabriel was the one to make way in pain, adding to Riccardo Calafiori’s injury in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening. And he wouldn’t be the last of the afternoon as soon after Timber was also forced off, perhaps not surprising considering the Dutchman was a doubt, but with Jakub Kiwior already on as a replacement for Gabriel, Arteta turned to 18 year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly to see out the game at left-back.
The injures weakened Arsenal and Liverpool looked more and more likely to grab another equaliser as the game went on, and on 81 minutes a long ball by Alexander-Arnold was met by Darwin Nunez who was able to play the ball square to Mohammed Salah to tap home for 2-2 to level the game. A goal which perhaps felt inevitable due to the pressure on Arsenal by their visitors for large parts of the second half.
The referee soon blew play to an end, with both sides likely happy with the outcome after a game of two halves.
Arsenal return to Carabao Cup action during midweek, away at Preston North End.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 6 – Little to do
Thomas Partey: 7 – Out of position but dealt well with Diaz
Ben White: 7 – Brilliant assist for Sake’s opener
Gabriel: 6 – Did ok before being forced off
Jurrien Timber: 6 – Same as Gabriel
Declan Rice: 7 – Superb delivery for the second goal
Mikel Merino: 7 – Very good on and off the ball and grabbed his first goal
Leandro Trossard: 7 – Much improved from last two games
Bukayo Saka: 8 – Real captain’s performance, great goal and always dangerous
Kai Havertz: 6 – Covered a lot of ground and linked up well with Saka
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 – End-product sometimes lacked but always had the beating of Alexander-Arnold