Arsenal recover from the pain of Paris to take vital point at Anfield to boost Champions League hopes

Arsenal visiting the new Premier League champions. Photo by @JTaylorSport

Liverpool 2 Arsenal 2

Arsenal’s Champions League qualification hopes remain on track following an impressive second half of resilience at Anfield.

The Gunners looked poised to be blown away early on by a blistering Liverpool side, showcasing the qualities which have made them Premier League champions this season.

Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz scored to decorate what looked likely to be another proper day in the sunshine for Arne Slot’s men.

Yet even Liverpool’s relentless force of nature has its limits on occasion. Arsenal regrouped to impose themselves in the second half. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino – who was later to be sent off – were sufficient to take a precious point back to London. Mikel Arteta’s team remain in second place, two points ahead of Newcastle United with two games remaining. Playing the champions away from home and down to ten men with eleven minutes to go to grab a draw will feel like an achievement of sorts.

As the Mersey sun bore down on Anfield, a raucous home crowd taunted the visiting fans with “Where’s your European Cups?” - a stinging allusion to Arsenal’s Champions League semi final exit to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek. That the French side also eliminated Liverpool earlier didn’t seem to bother those who can count six triumphs of the continent’s foremost accolade.

A few months ago this encounter was identified as a possible league decider. However, Arsenal’s slipshod performances on occasion – often as a result of the ongoing lack of a top tier striker – ensured the Premier League has been Anfield-bound for some time. A 15 point gap going into the game and the title already wrapped up by Slot’s unit is the kind of reality which cannot be denied. A harsh reality for an Arsenal team lumbered with a ‘nearly men’ tag of late. The Gunners at least redeemed themselves here after the heartache of Paris.

Predictably, Liverpool set the pace early on. And an unmarked Luis Diaz was denied an opening goal for the Reds when he was set up nicely inside the penalty area by Mo Salah, but Arsenal keeper David Raya’s instinctive reflex save was excellent.

Searing

Liverpool’s searing pace going forward was a major problem for Arteta’s side, and it was no surprise when the new league winners made capital in the shape of the opening goal after 20 minutes.

Gakpo flashed a header from close range past Raya from an Andy Robertson cross from the left. In fact, Robertson had acres of space to flight in the ball – a clear defensive error of wide margin which will undoubtedly infuriate Arteta in the aftermath.

Just a minute later the Gunners were left reeling again when Liverpool, scenting a finely-tuned appetite for damage, doubled their lead.

Caught by another quick fire attack, Arsenal paid a heavy price. On this occasion it was Diaz who netted when Dominik Szoboszlai had the presence of mind on the right side of the penalty area to square the ball to the Colombian who was first to the ball before Arsenal defender William Saliba. Simplicity itself, a goal crafted by Liverpool’s sheer intensity, pressing and athleticism, with the north Londoners merely the latest team to be overwhelmed.

Martin Odegaard and Merino were just two of the Arsenal players in central areas who appeared leaden against the zest of Slot’s outfit. Odegaard came out in the second half, though, like a captain reborn with a highly impressive display. Furthermore, any of the customary impish incursions by Bukayo Saka were dealt with by Liverpool’s rock solid paring of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Still, Arsenal inched their way back into the contest, coming to terms with the pace of the afternoon. And after the break, they made matters much more interesting by pulling a goal back.

Advantage

Two minutes following half time – in which Arteta presumably aired a few home truths surrounding urgency and competitiveness – the Gunners took advantage of that rarest of moments – a sudden lapse in Liverpool’s central defence. Martinelli was able to direct a header beyond Reds’ keeper Alisson Becker into the corner of the net, via a sublime cross from the left by Leandro Trossard. Finally, game on?

Ben White even managed to get into the act of threat – but the stoppers angled shot was well held by Alisson.

For all their high energy and desire, Liverpool’s players themselves appeared quietly stunned for a spell in which Arsenal had a more confident and reinvigorated appearance. Their passing and purpose were much improved. Martinelli, for instance, went close with a shot through a forest of legs only for a vigilant Alisson to deny the Brazilian attacker. Odegaard prompting all over the park too.

With Liverpool’s levels dipping it was no surprise that Slot elected to make a triple substitution, with Alexis MacAllister, Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold all coming on. The latter, who has opted to leave the Reds at the end of the campaign, took to the pitch to what could be, at best, described as a mixed reception.

The actual cameo itself, moments later, arrived with Arsenal’s sudden equaliser. In the 70th minute, finding space and taking aim from outside the penalty area, Odegaard hammered a left foot shot which Alisson could only parry on to the post. However, Merino was first to react, heading in the rebound.

Burst

With Liverpool finding a late burst of steam, Merino saw red. The Spaniard lunged at Reds’ playmaker Szoboszlai, leaving referee Anthony Taylor with little option than to dispatch the forward after an earlier yellow card for a foul on Conor Bradley.

Liverpool nearly stole a winner in added time only Konate was judged to have fouled in the Arsenal penalty area when Robertson drove home. It would have been rough for the Gunners.

This point turned out to be well earned and will please Arteta, given the circumstances of such a lame first half.

As the Liverpool fans chanted about ‘winning championships in May’, at the moment, that idea just seems so remote for the north Londoners as they approach a critical summer of incoming transfer activity. Only a massive statement signing, such as Alexander Isak from Newcastle United may be enough to stave off the clouds of criticism swirling around Arteta after another trophyless season.

For now, though, the manager at least saw the kind of character required to come to places like Anfield and emerge with a degree of satisfaction.

Gunners: Raya, Sailiba, White (Calafiori 78), Partey, Saka (Zinchenko 88), Odegaard, Martinelli, Kiwior, Trossard (Tierney 78), Merino, Lewis-Skelly