Arsenal pulled off a surprise 2-2 comeback draw against champions Liverpool at Anfield, battling back from two goals down despite finishing with 10 men in a chaotic Super Sunday thriller.
Liverpool looked untouchable after Cody Gakpo’s close-range header and Luis Diaz’s slick slide-in doubled their lead within half an hour, but Arsenal roared back with second-half headers from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino.
The Kop’s boos for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s substitute appearance - furious over his summer exit, seemed to rattle the Reds, who lost their grip.
Merino’s red card and a disallowed stoppage-time goal from Andy Robertson, ruled out for Ibrahima Konate’s foul, capped the drama. Liverpool’s 90-point dream is over, but Arsenal’s gritty point nudges them closer to locking in a Champions League spot.
Here are VAVEL's player ratings from today's clash.
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Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya - 7
The Spaniard kept Arsenal in the game with crucial saves, preventing a first-half rout as Liverpool swarmed forward with ease. However, his shaky distribution and nervous moments when playing out from the back raised eyebrows.
Needs to sharpen up to avoid costly errors.
Ben White - 5
Started poorly, dozing as Cody Gakpo bagged Liverpool’s second, but grew into the game, linking well with Saka on the right.
Arsenal still missed Jurrien Timber’s presence early on. A tale of two halves for the Englishman.
William Saliba - 5
The Frenchman was rattled and sluggish, failing to read Liverpool’s incisive attacks as the Reds sliced through with ease.
Saliba seemed mentally checked out, like he was already on holiday. A rare off-day for the usually rock-solid Frenchman.
Jakub Kiwior - 6.5
Caught napping too often, allowing Liverpool to exploit gaps behind him with alarming frequency. He did however, redeem himself with a colossal block to deny a huge opportunity in the second half.
Needs to tighten up, if he is to give Mikel Arteta any selection headache once Gabriel returns.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6.5
Tasked with taming Mohamed Salah, he struggled to contain the Egyptian’s menace, joining the long list of defenders outfoxed by the Liverpool star.
Showed resilience but was often exposed - a tough day for the young left-back.
Thomas Partey - 3
Sleepwalked through the game, outpaced and overrun in transitions, leaving fans fuming at his lethargy.
Played like a man eyeing the summer exit door. One of Partey's worst displays in an Arsenal shirt.
Mikel Merino - 7
Grafted tirelessly to unlock Liverpool, capitalising on Alisson’s fumble to head home and spark the comeback.
His red card for a second yellow, however, swung momentum back to the hosts. A bittersweet outing for the summer signing.
Martin Odegaard - 6
Faded into the background, unable to impose himself as Liverpool’s press smothered his creativity. Nearly broke his slump with a long-range sizzler that tested Alisson.
Another frustrating day for Arsenal’s skipper.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7.5
Struggled for touches early but exploded after the break, nodding in a pinpoint Trossard cross to ignite Arsenal’s fightback.
The Brazilian stretched Liverpool by drifting centrally, becoming the Gunners’ biggest threat. A lively, game-changing display.
Bukayo Saka - 6
The 23-year-old was uncharacteristically quiet, fluffing a golden set-piece chance in the first half that could’ve shifted the tide.
Battled to trouble Liverpool but found little joy in a disjointed attack. Even Arsenal’s star man couldn’t spark magic today.
Leandro Trossard - 6
The Belgian wasted a frantic first-half chance in the box but made amends with a peach of a cross for Martinelli’s goal.
Ultimately showed his value as a second-half catalyst - Trossard proved yet again why he’s a clutch option for Arteta.
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Substitutes
Thrown on just before Merino’s red card, forcing a tactical shift that limited his impact. Had little chance to showcase his flair.
Kieran Tierney - 6
Slotted into a right-wing-back role late on after Arsenal went down to 10, but barely saw the ball. A brief cameo with no real influence.
Oleksandr Zinchenko - N/A
