Arsenal battle back for crucial draw against Liverpool at Anfield

Arsenal staged a spirited comeback from two goals down to secure an important 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday, edging closer to sealing a Champions League place.

Mikel Arteta’s men faced an early setback at Anfield after conceding first-half goals to Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

Gabriel Martinelli reignited hope for the visitors by reducing the deficit just after the break, before Mikel Merino grabbed a well-deserved equaliser. Despite Merino’s dismissal for a second yellow card with 11 minutes remaining, Arsenal held firm to claim a vital point in the race for a top-five Premier League finish.

The result leaves second-placed Arsenal five points ahead of sixth-placed Aston Villa, with a crucial home clash against third-placed Newcastle coming up before concluding their season away to relegated Southampton. With a commanding goal difference, Arsenal are likely to need just a single point from their remaining fixtures to confirm a Champions League spot, despite managing only one victory in their last six league matches.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot made a bold decision by leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench, days after the England defender announced he would depart Anfield when his contract runs out in June, with a move to Real Madrid expected. Alexander-Arnold’s appearance in the second half was met with boos from some sections of the home crowd, who jeered his every touch.

For Liverpool, who secured their record-equalling 20th league title two weeks ago, the game served little purpose beyond pride. But for Arsenal, still stung by their Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the pressure was immense.

Liverpool’s dominance was clear early on, with Andrew Robertson’s cross finding Gakpo for a powerful header, and just 87 seconds later, Diaz doubled the lead from close range off a Dominik Szoboszlai assist. Curtis Jones came close to adding a third, but David Raya produced a superb save.

The hosts’ fans taunted Arsenal with chants mocking Arteta’s recent claim that his team were the “best in Europe.” However, Arsenal responded swiftly after the interval. Martinelli nodded home a Leandro Trossard cross in the 47th minute, and Alisson Becker had to make quick saves to deny Ben White and Martinelli.

Arsenal’s persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Martin Odegaard’s fierce shot was parried by Alisson, with Merino reacting quickest to score with a diving header. Alexander-Arnold, under heavy scrutiny, was caught playing the midfielder onside.

Merino’s sending off for rash challenges on Darwin Nunez and Szoboszlai put Arsenal under late pressure. Liverpool thought they had a stoppage-time winner through Robertson, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Ibrahima Konate on Myles Lewis-Skelly, ensuring Arsenal left with a hard-fought point.