Despite playing a strong defense against the Reds, the Gunners were forced to settle for a draw at the Emirates on Sunday.

 

 

The requirement for the home team to win in order to just stay out of crisis was a major topic of discussion leading up to Arsenal’s match against Liverpool, and they performed as Mikel Arteta had promised. However, due to more injury worries, they were unable to finish the game as the two title contenders drew 2-2.

Ben White’s long pass over the top caught Liverpool off guard, giving the Gunners the lead within the first ten minutes. After recovering from an injury, Bukayo Saka scored his 50th Premier League goal by taking a pass out of the air, sitting Andy Robertson on his backside as he came infield, and shooting beyond Caomhin Kelleher at the near post.

 

 

Luis Diaz flicked on a corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk, who had slithered in front of his opponent, Thomas Partey, tapped it in to give the Reds a short-term lead.

 

 

Arsenal took the lead again just before halftime. Mikel Merino hammered a header past Kelleher after Declan Rice’s devious free-kick from halfway inside the Liverpool half soared over a sea of bodies. The Spaniard’s toe was judged on by a mere millimeter, but the goal escaped a lengthy VAR check for offside.

Despite having much of the second half under control, the home team gave up against the current momentum in the final ten minutes. Similar to White’s ball for the first goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cut between Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Mohamed Salah brushed home after Darwin Nunez squared the ball after collecting it.

 

When Kai Havertz dinked Kelleher, Arsenal thought they had won late in stoppage time, but their celebrations were cut short since the whistle had already blown for a foul, so the rewards were shared.

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (6/10):

 

For the most part was well protected by his dutiful back four, though was still on hand to defend his near post and protect the box when Liverpool started pinging in crosses at a higher rate.

Thomas Partey (6/10):

Goodness knows what he was trying to do when marking Van Dijk on the equalising corner. Far more useful in open play, where he gave Diaz and Gakpo a tough going while himself playing out of position.

Ben White (8/10):

Returned to his once natural position of centre-back to cover for Saliba’s absence through suspension. Slotted back into that role with ease and received a healthy dose of kudos for his lock-picking pass leading to Saka’s opener.

 

Gabriel (6/10):

Made a couple of last-ditch swipes to clear hopeful Liverpool passes round the back in the first half. Substituted shortly after the restart with a knee problem sustained during a collision with Nunez to give the Gunners another injury headache.

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Didn’t exactly relish getting into tussles with Salah on his comeback from injury, though he was enough of a handful that the Egyptian scarcely had a sight of goal while he was on the pitch. Taken off for the final 15 minutes after a bout of cramp.

 

 

Midfield

Bukayo Saka (8/10):

The name Arsenal fans were desperately hoping to see on the team-sheet and for good reason. Immediately shook off the rust of injury with a sumptuous goal coming in off the right flank. Liverpool sought to clobber him at any given opportunity in order to wear him down before he was substituted for Jesus.

Mikel Merino (7/10):

Survived a hairy moment when gifting Salah possession 25 yards from goal, before scoring his first Arsenal goal on the stroke of half-time. Typically slowed play down and tried to calm down those around him.

Declan Rice (6/10):

 

An industrious and effective performance from the £105m-man, who was again a menace with his set-pieces. Still lacking the X-factor on the ball that made him a standout midfielder last season, but he was still ultimately positive enough for Arsenal to carry out their game plan.

Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):

Gave Liverpool something to think about with his blistering pace off the back of Alexander-Arnold. However, he was too frequently muscled out of the game by the covering Konate. Came off for Nwaneri.

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Attack

Kai Havertz (5/10):

Referee Anthony Taylor was particularly harsh on the gangly German, who was often on the end of some cynical and heavy lunges. Nevertheless, that didn’t hide his unimpressive showing when on the ball and he didn’t ask nearly enough questions of Liverpool’s backline.

Leandro Trossard (6/10):

Gave absolutely everything to knit midfield to attack, flittering between the lines before going right up alongside Havertz. Shifted to the left wing after Martinelli was taken off.

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Subs & Manager

Jakub Kiwior (6/10):

Brought on in place of Gabriel after 54 minutes when the big Brazilian succumbed to a knee issue and immediately endeared himself with a fine slide tackle. Wasn’t authoritative enough leading to Salah’s equaliser and his confidence dropped thereafter.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10):

Came on for the final 15 minutes in place of Timber. Far from ideal having to try and pin down Salah.

Gabriel Jesus (N/A):

Replaced Saka for the last knockings. Perhaps brought on slightly too late to make a real difference. Booked after the final whistle for arguing with the referee.

Ethan Nwaneri (N/A):

On at the same time as Jesus for Martinelli. Afforded a few touches in the final third but nothing influential.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

Given Arsenal’s shortcomings in defence, this was as well as they could have really been set up. Yet they will still feel aggrieved to have only taken a point.