Arsenal’s 2022/23 season has been a season full of broken records. Back in January Arsenal recorded their first win away at Tottenham since 2013, and beat Liverpool for the first time in the league since 2015 at the Emirates back in October. And heading into a massive clash at Anfield The Gunners were looking for their first win in the Premier League at Liverpool’s ground since 2012 where Santi Cazorla and Lucas Podolski secured a 0-2 win. And for 40 minutes it was looking like a famous and priceless three points was going to be secured as Arsenal cruised to a 0-2 lead, however Mohammed Salah pulled one back just before half-time for his side and that started the comeback for Liverpool who made it 2-2 late in the second half. However they couldn’t find a winner and the game finished as a modern Premier League classic.
It was always going to be key to get off to a good early start in order to quiet down the Anfield crowd, and this was exactly what Arsenal got as after a slight bit of luck, the ball found Gabriel Martinelli who managed to poke the ball past Alisson to give his side the lead the lead on eight minutes. And it got even better for Mikel Arteta and the travelling Gooners half an hour into the first half as Martinelli was again involve on the left flank, twisting and turning before delivering a fantastic cross for his fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus who planted a header into the back of the net to double Arsenal’s lead. Anfield silenced.
Despite Arsenal being in total control, there was always an edge about the contest with Liverpool still looking threatening on their (few) attacks forward in the first 40 minutes. Arsenal couldn’t afford to concede a late first half goal and risk a Liverpool fight back, however that is exactly what happened as Mohammed Salah was at the back post to half the deficit for the home side minutes before the break.
That goal gave Liverpool and the Anfield crowd the lift they needed and the Reds came firing out the blocks at the start of the second half, forcing Arsenal deeper and deeper into their own half. And it looked like they had found an equaliser ten minutes into the second period as a penalty was awarded as Diogo Jota went down following a Rob Holding challenge. The Arsenal centre back could be considered unlucky as the Liverpool forward sneaked in from behind him as the Englishman looked to clear the ball. Although Salah would pass up the opportunity for his second of the game as he narrowly missed the target from the spot.
Arsenal were holding on and it looked like it would be their day after all as Darwin Nunez was sent through on goal by Salah but Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal made a crucial save to preserve the lead. And they could’ve sealed the win as Gabriel headed straight at Alisson from a Bukayo Saka corner. However, the Arsenal resolve would eventually be undone on the 87th minute as substitute Roberto Firmino headed in for his 10th goal against Arsenal to draw Liverpool level. And it could’ve got even better for the home side as in added time Klopp’s side had two glorious chances to steal the win. But Aaron Ramsdale put his name up in lights with two incredible stops to earn Arsenal a point at Anfield. The second of which seemed almost impossible as it looked like Liverpool defender Konate had a tap in to win it but the Arsenal stopper somehow clawed the ball away from danger.
There was an element of disappointment in the way Arsenal couldn’t hold on to what would’ve been a priceless and famous win, however a first point at Anfield since 2015/16 can be seen as somewhat positive as West Ham away awaits the following weekend.
Player Ratings:
Aaron Ramsdale: 9 – made a number of crucial saves including two incredible stops in the final minutes. Brilliant performance.
Ben White: 6 – Not bad but a somewhat tough afternoon for the Arsenal defender
Rob Holding: 7 – A solid afternoon for Holding. Won a lot of headers and was unlucky in giving away a penalty
Gabriel: 8 – Brilliant from Gabriel who had a great game, marked Salah out of the match in the first 40 minutes
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6 – Was doing well up until the second goal. Where some poor defending lead to the equaliser
Thomas Partey: 8 – A strong and calm presence throughout. Won the ball back many times for Arsenal
Granit Xhaka: 6 – Struggled at times with the intensity, especially in the second half
Martin Odegaard: 6 – A few nice moments however was mostly quiet
Bukayo Saka: 6 – Like his captain, did well at times but struggled to properly impose himself
Gabriel Jesus: 8 – Brilliant on the ball and scored his 8th of the season and his third in his last two starts
Gabriel Martinelli: 8 – One goal, one assist and another class Martinelli performance