Arsenal 2 – 2 Liverpool – Match Report

We have been twice pegged again and needed to accept a degree from a pulsating conflict with Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.

Bukayo Saka – again from damage – lashed dwelling our opener earlier than Virgil van Dijk headed the guests degree. A bullet header from Mikel Merino – his first for the membership – put us again in entrance earlier than the interval.

However Liverpool took benefit of accidents to our again line within the second half to attract degree when Mohamed Salah scored on the counter assault.

Our defence – already with out the companies of the suspended William Saliba – then needed to adapt to accidents to Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, however we held on for a degree.

Saka’s half century

After a poignant rendition of the Final Put up to mark the forthcoming Remembrance Day, this eagerly anticipated Premier League conflict kicked off in a crackling Emirates Stadium ambiance.

And the decibel ranges have been boosted contained in the opening ten minutes. Ben White, shuffled alongside to centre again instead of the suspended  Saliba, was given time on the ball inside his personal half and sprayed an exquisite move to the scampering Saka on the best wing. He raced into the world, chopped the ball onto his left foot, utterly deceiving Andy Robertson, and smashed the ball dwelling contained in the close to put up.

What a technique to mark his return to the beginning XI after lacking our final two video games, and it was additionally our proper winger’s fiftieth Premier League purpose. He’s the eleventh Arsenal participant to achieve the landmark within the Premier League, and the seventh youngest for any membership.

Liverpool degree

However the lead was quickly worn out. Virgil van Dijk stole in at a nook, and headed in from shut vary after it was flicked on on the close to put up by Luis Diaz.

We seemed to bounce again with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli filled with operating on the wings. Merino threw himself at a whipped in Declan Rice free-kick, however couldn’t maintain his try heading in the right direction. Saka then shot over from 20 yards following a driving run.

Martinelli beat Trent Alexander-Arnold inside the world to ship in a teasing cross, Kai Havertz although, couldn’t type his ft out in time on the far put up.

Merino magic

Havertz then shot over from a greater place, whereas Martinelli was interesting for a penalty after a slipshod problem on him within the space. VAR checked it, however have been pleased with the referee’s authentic non-decision. Martinelli then shot over as we continued to look harmful going ahead.

A second purpose gave the impression to be on the playing cards, and Merino duly equipped it proper on the finish of the half.

Rice had been on the cash together with his set-piece supply all through the opening 45 minutes, and his inviting free kick from the best was powerfully met by our Spanish midfielder, who might rejoice his first Gunners purpose after a protracted VAR overview for a attainable offside.

Defensive reshuffle

Early within the second half Gabriel needed to be withdrawn, holding his knee, to get replaced by Jakub Kiwior, and our again 4 definitely had an unfamiliar search for the ultimate 35 minutes or so.

The change led to a shift in momentum, with Liverpool starting to look more and more harmful.

Diaz burst into the field to be stopped by Raya earlier than Gravenberch blazed over as we got here beneath strain.

Jurrien Timber was the following of our defenders compelled off, he was changed at left again by Myles Lewis-Skelly.

As we entered the ultimate ten minutes, the strain advised. Darwin Nunez was away down the best, he lower the ball again for Salah within the center to complete. It was our solely defensive slip of the second half.

Our two wingers have been changed for the ultimate ten minutes, having given every little thing on the pitch, with Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus approaching.

As the sport entered added time, Jesus bundled the ball dwelling, however the whistle had already gone for an obvious foul by Kiwior within the construct up.

So we needed to accept a degree, conserving us in third place within the desk.

STATS AND FACTS

• We stay unbeaten in 5 Premier League conferences with Liverpool (W2 D3); our longest run with out defeat towards the Reds within the competitors since October 2007 – April 2011 (eight video games). 

   

• We’ve got scored 27 targets from set items within the Premier League because the begin of final season (excluding penalties); probably the most of any workforce on this interval. Our 21 headed targets are additionally probably the most of any facet within the competitors because the begin of final time period.

   

• For the reason that begin of the 2022/23 season, we now have scored 4 targets within the opening 10 minutes of Premier League video games towards Liverpool (Gabriel Martinelli x2, Gabriel and Bukayo Saka) – probably the most one facet have netted towards one other on this interval.

   

• Bukayo Saka has been instantly concerned in 10 targets in eight appearances within the Premier League this season (3 targets, 7 assists); the fewest video games by an Arsenal participant to achieve 10+ in a single marketing campaign since Cesc Fabregas in 2009/10 (6 video games).

   

What’s subsequent

Our subsequent 4 video games are all away from dwelling. We swap attentions to the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night time, after we journey to face Championship facet Preston North Finish within the fourth spherical. We return to Premier League motion on Saturday, away to Newcastle United. That’s adopted by journeys to Inter Milan and Chelsea earlier than the following spherical of internationals.