In the heart of a fiery Anfield, where dreams have been made and shattered, Arsenal clawed their way back from the brink on Sunday to earn a gutsy 2-2 draw against Liverpool—a point that may well prove decisive in the Gunners’ pursuit of Champions League football.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked dead and buried in the first half. The red tide surged early, with Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz putting Liverpool two goals to the good and the Emirates faithful in despair.
Arsenal, winless in five of their last six league outings, were staring down another costly stumble.
But football, like few other sports, has a way of flipping scripts.
Gabriel Martinelli struck back just before the hour mark, curling one past Alisson to breathe life into Arsenal’s campaign.
The comeback was complete when Mikel Merino—ever the tireless engine in Arteta’s midfield—nodded in the equaliser.
His joy was short-lived; sent off for a second yellow in the 79th minute, Merino’s night ended in frustration. Still, his contribution had already shifted the story.
Arsenal held on with ten men under the Anfield lights, a point that may soon feel like a win.
With Aston Villa five points adrift and only two matches left, Arsenal’s top-five finish is nearly secure.
Their goal difference is effectively worth another point—and now, just one more from their final two fixtures would see them over the line.
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“What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level. That’s on me,” Arteta admitted post-match, his words carrying both contrition and defiance. “It has to hurt. No one accepts those standards.”
The match also carried a heavy emotional undercurrent for Liverpool fans, many of whom directed their ire at Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Left on the bench by manager Arne Slot amid speculation of a summer move to Real Madrid, the Merseyside-born fullback was met with boos upon his second-half entrance.
His every touch drew jeers—proof of a fanbase divided by the departure of one of their own.
Slot, calm amid the din, stood by his man. “For the fans, they can always have the reaction they want,” he said. “But I will always back the players I lead.”
Liverpool’s own season is winding down with the Premier League title already secured.
This was supposed to be a decisive day in the race for the crown, but the stakes belonged to Arsenal—a team that may yet return to the Champions League after two seasons in the cold.
Next week, they face third-placed Newcastle at the Emirates in what could be the final hurdle. The journey isn’t over, but at Anfield, Arsenal proved they still have the fight.