Arsenal fight back from two goals down to draw against Liverpool

In a clash packed with drama, goals, and a guard of honour, Arsenal came from two goals down to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. While the Gunners’ hopes of silverware this season have already vanished, Mikel Arteta’s side displayed resilience and heart in a stirring second-half comeback that keeps them in the driving seat for a second-place finish.

A Guard of Honour — and a Forgettable First Half for Arsenal

Before a ball was kicked, Arsenal players lined up to applaud the newly-crowned champions onto the pitch — their second such gesture in six years, having done the same during Liverpool’s 2019/20 title-winning campaign. But once the pleasantries ended, the Gunners looked every bit as accommodating in defence as they had with their applause.

Liverpool capitalised early, seizing control in clinical fashion. In the 20th minute, Cody Gakpo punished poor marking, nodding home Andy Robertson’s inviting cross after a quick throw-in caught Arsenal’s backline asleep. The hosts doubled their advantage within 87 seconds as Mohamed Salah’s incisive pass found Dominik Szoboszlai, who squared for Luis Diaz to slot into an empty net.

At that point, it appeared Arne Slot’s men — eager to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea midweek — were set to deliver a rout.

Arsenal’s Second-Half Revival

Whatever Mikel Arteta said at half-time had the desired effect. Arsenal came out with renewed urgency and halved the deficit just two minutes after the restart. Leandro Trossard’s cross was met by Gabriel Martinelli, who expertly guided a header past Alisson to spark hopes of a comeback.

The Gunners were buoyed by their early breakthrough and pushed forward. William Saliba squandered a glorious opportunity to level matters before Arsenal finally equalised in the 70th minute. After Alisson tipped Martin Odegaard’s curling effort onto the bar, Mikel Merino reacted quickest to head in the rebound, silencing the Anfield crowd.

However, Merino’s evening soon turned sour. Already on a yellow card, the midfielder clattered into Szoboszlai and was promptly shown a second yellow, reducing Arsenal to ten men for the final 15 minutes.

Liverpool Pile on the Pressure — but Frustrated Late On

Sensing an opportunity, Liverpool surged forward, with Slot introducing Diogo Jota to intensify their attacking threat. Anfield thought they’d grabbed a winner in stoppage time when Andy Robertson tucked home from close range, but VAR intervened, ruling out the goal for an Ibrahima Konaté foul on Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly during the corner’s build-up.

It was a frustrating finale for the champions, who, despite their numerical advantage, couldn’t find the decisive moment against an Arsenal side digging deep defensively.

Slot and Arteta Reflect

Post-match, Liverpool boss Arne Slot acknowledged the entertainment value of the match, saying:
"It was a great game of football; fans around the world and in the stadium loved what they saw. It didn’t matter too much for the table, but it was about pride and prestige. After winning the league, you always wonder how the players respond — I liked the team I saw today."

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta cut a candid figure, praising his side’s response but lamenting their sluggish start.
"What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level. We reacted great, but it’s unacceptable to need that kind of wake-up call. If you want to be fighting for trophies, you have to perform at that level from the start."

Where This Leaves Both Teams

With the point, Arsenal remain two points clear of Newcastle United in second place, while Liverpool — already crowned champions — are focused on wrapping up their title-winning season in style. The Reds have two fixtures remaining: a trip to Brighton and a home finale against Crystal Palace, where they’ll lift the trophy in front of their supporters.

For the Gunners, their final two games carry high stakes. A victory against Newcastle next weekend will guarantee them second place and an assured Champions League group-stage return. Arteta, though, will demand consistency from the start if his side are to finish the season on a positive note.

Premier League Top Four (After 36 Games)
1️⃣ Liverpool – 83 pts (+46 GD)
2️⃣ Arsenal – 68 pts (+33 GD)
3️⃣ Newcastle – 66 pts (+23 GD)
4️⃣ Manchester City – 65 pts (+24 GD)

Anfield delivered yet another memorable chapter in its storied history — and though the league crown is already secured, both Liverpool and Arsenal proved there’s still pride, prestige, and positions left to fight for.

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