Arsenal 2 – 2 Liverpool – Match Report

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

Bukayo Saka – again from harm – lashed residence our opener earlier than Virgil van Dijk headed the guests stage. 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 stage when Mohamed Salah scored on the counter assault.

Our defence – already with out the providers 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 Submit to mark the forthcoming Remembrance Day, this eagerly anticipated Premier League conflict kicked off in a crackling Emirates Stadium environment.

And the decibel ranges had been boosted contained in the opening ten minutes. Ben White, shuffled alongside to centre again rather than the suspended  Saliba, was given time on the ball inside his personal half and sprayed a beautiful move to the scampering Saka on the suitable wing. He raced into the world, chopped the ball onto his left foot, fully deceiving Andy Robertson, and smashed the ball residence contained in the close to submit.

What a solution 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 objective. He’s the eleventh Arsenal participant to achieve the landmark within the Premier League, and the seventh youngest for any membership.

Liverpool stage

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 submit by Luis Diaz.

We regarded 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 preserve his try on track. 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 submit.

Merino magic

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

A second objective 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 along with his set-piece supply all through the opening 45 minutes, and his inviting free kick from the suitable was powerfully met by our Spanish midfielder, who might rejoice his first Gunners objective 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 below strain.

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

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

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

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

So we needed to accept a degree, protecting 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 in opposition to the Reds within the competitors since October 2007 – April 2011 (eight video games). 

   

• We’ve scored 27 objectives from set items within the Premier League for the reason that begin of final season (excluding penalties); essentially the most of any crew on this interval. Our 21 headed objectives are additionally essentially the most of any aspect within the competitors for the reason that begin of final time period.

   

• Because the begin of the 2022/23 season, we now have scored 4 objectives within the opening 10 minutes of Premier League video games in opposition to Liverpool (Gabriel Martinelli x2, Gabriel and Bukayo Saka) – essentially the most one aspect have netted in opposition to one other on this interval.

   

• Bukayo Saka has been instantly concerned in 10 objectives in eight appearances within the Premier League this season (3 objectives, 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 residence. We swap attentions to the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, after we journey to face Championship aspect 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 subsequent spherical of internationals.