October 27, 2024
We were twice pegged back and had to settle for a point from a pulsating clash with Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka – back from injury – lashed home our opener before Virgil van Dijk headed the visitors level. A bullet header from Mikel Merino – his first for the club - put us back in front before the interval.
But Liverpool took advantage of injuries to our back line in the second half to draw level when Mohamed Salah scored on the counter attack.
Our defence – already without the services of the suspended William Saliba – then had to adapt to injuries to Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, but we held on for a point.
After a poignant rendition of the Last Post to mark the forthcoming Remembrance Day, this eagerly anticipated Premier League clash kicked off in a crackling Emirates Stadium atmosphere.
And the decibel levels were boosted inside the opening ten minutes. Ben White, shuffled along to centre back in place of the suspended Saliba, was given time on the ball inside his own half and sprayed a wonderful pass to the scampering Saka on the right wing. He raced into the area, chopped the ball onto his left foot, completely deceiving Andy Robertson, and smashed the ball home inside the near post.
What a way to mark his return to the starting XI after missing our last two games, and it was also our right winger's 50th Premier League goal. He's the 11th Arsenal player to reach the landmark in the Premier League, and the seventh youngest for any club.
But the lead was soon wiped out. Virgil van Dijk stole in at a corner, and headed in from close range after it was flicked on at the near post by Luis Diaz.
We looked to bounce back with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli full of running on the wings. Merino threw himself at a whipped in Declan Rice free-kick, but couldn't keep his attempt on target. Saka then shot over from 20 yards following a driving run.
Martinelli beat Trent Alexander-Arnold inside the area to send in a teasing cross, Kai Havertz though, couldn't sort his feet out in time at the far post.
Havertz then shot over from a better position, while Martinelli was appealing for a penalty after a clumsy challenge on him in the area. VAR checked it, but were happy with the referee's original non-decision. Martinelli then shot over as we continued to look dangerous going forward.
A second goal seemed to be on the cards, and Merino duly supplied it right at the end of the half.
Rice had been on the money with his set-piece delivery throughout the opening 45 minutes, and his inviting free kick from the right was powerfully met by our Spanish midfielder, who could celebrate his first Gunners goal after a long VAR review for a possible offside.
Early in the second half Gabriel had to be withdrawn, holding his knee, to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior, and our back four certainly had an unfamiliar look for the final 35 minutes or so.
The change led to a shift in momentum, with Liverpool beginning to look increasingly dangerous.
Diaz burst into the box
By Arsenal
