By Samuel Akpan with additional agency report
In a thrilling match at Anfield, Arsenal came from two goals down to draw with Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Reds took the lead in the 20th minute when Cody Gakpo headed in Andy Robertson’s cross, and they doubled their advantage a minute later through Luis Diaz.
However, Arsenal rallied after the break, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring in the 47th minute and Mikel Merino equalizing soon after.
Merino’s celebratory moment was short-lived, as he was sent off for a second bookable offense, leaving Arsenal to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors held on for a point, with Liverpool’s Robertson having a late goal ruled out for offside.
The match was marked by a celebratory atmosphere, with Liverpool fans chanting and booing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made his first appearance since announcing his departure from the club.
Alexander-Arnold almost turned the boos into cheers with a curling free-kick that narrowly missed the post.
The result leaves Liverpool 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who remain in control of their own destiny in the fight for Champions League qualification.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be pleased with his team’s resilience, but the performance will raise questions about their consistency, which will need to improve if they are to challenge for the title.
Despite the challenges, Arsenal’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League remain high, with Opta giving them a 99.7% chance of securing a top-four spot.
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