Arsenal Fight Back to Secure Dramatic Draw Against Liverpool at Anfield
Arsenal showed resilience and grit as they clawed back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against newly crowned champions Liverpool in a thrilling encounter at Anfield, despite finishing with ten men.
On an afternoon filled with drama, controversy, and high emotion, the Gunners avoided defeat thanks to second-half headers from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino, after Liverpool stormed into a commanding lead with two goals in under two minutes in the first half.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool, buoyed by the Anfield crowd and recent title celebrations, looked set to cruise when Cody Gakpo opened the scoring from close range before Luis Diaz slid in the second just 87 seconds later. At that point, Arsenal were reeling, and it looked like another heavy Anfield defeat might be on the cards.
But Mikel Arteta’s side, still stinging from their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, showed character to flip the script in the second half and keep their momentum in the race for a top-five Premier League finish.
Arsenal’s comeback began with Leandro Trossard, whose dangerous cross found Martinelli unmarked at the back post. The Brazilian’s thumping header cut Liverpool’s lead in half, and from that point forward, the Gunners looked energized and revitalized.
The equaliser followed soon after. Martin Ødegaard’s long-range effort was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, but the rebound fell kindly to Mikel Merino, who nodded in to complete the comeback.
The tide of the match shifted yet again, however, when Merino was shown a red card for a late challenge, reducing Arsenal to ten men and giving Liverpool hope of snatching a winner. Substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold—who was met with a wave of boos from the home crowd due to his confirmed departure this summer—almost found the net late on with a curling effort, before Andy Robertson had a stoppage-time winner ruled out for a foul by Ibrahima Konaté.
Though the game ended in a draw, the match was anything but forgettable. The intensity, emotional stakes, and narrative subplots—particularly the crowd’s reaction to Alexander-Arnold—made it one of the most memorable fixtures of the season.
Arsenal Stay Second as Liverpool’s Title High Fizzles
The draw leaves Arsenal in second place, inching closer to confirming a top-five finish and potentially securing a Champions League spot again. Liverpool, meanwhile, are mathematically out of the running to hit 90 points this season, a rare blip in what has otherwise been a dominant campaign.
For Arsenal, the result will feel like a win. It comes after a brutal European exit and amid questions about Arteta’s credentials at the very top level. Liverpool fans taunted the Gunners boss throughout the match with chants like “Where’s your European Cup?” and “Best team in Europe, you’re having a laugh”—mocking Arteta’s recent comments about Arsenal’s league consistency.
But if the Gunners were rattled by the atmosphere or the early deficit, they certainly didn’t show it in the second half. Arteta’s tactical adjustments paid off, particularly the introduction of Trossard and the freedom given to Ødegaard to influence the game further up the pitch.
The only downside for Arsenal was Merino’s red card, which may lead to a suspension during a crucial run-in. Still, the performance showed they remain hungry, focused, and capable of grinding out results even when the odds are stacked against them.
The reaction to Alexander-Arnold’s substitution dominated post-match discussions. Boos rang out across Anfield, especially from the Kop, as the local favourite came onto the pitch amid reports of his summer departure. The emotional disconnect between player and fans was palpable.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher summed it up succinctly: “That’s the story of the game,” he told Sky Sports. “That’s what will be on the back pages. Booing your own player while he’s trying to win you points? That’s not the Liverpool way.”
While Liverpool fans were distracted by off-field drama, Arsenal kept their eyes on the task at hand and left with a hard-earned point.
With only a few matches left in the season, Arsenal will hope this spirited comeback serves as a springboard. Their league form remains solid, and while European glory has slipped away this season, domestic success is still within reach.
Arteta’s men will now turn their focus to their remaining Premier League fixtures, knowing that consistency and composure will be key in securing a top finish—and in proving that they are ready to challenge at the very highest level again.
Source –BBC
