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Arsenal fought again from two targets all the way down to rescue a precious 2-2 draw towards Liverpool because the Gunners moved a step nearer to qualifying for the Champions League on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s aspect trailed to first-half targets from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz at Anfield. But Gabriel Martinelli decreased the deficit earlier than Mikel Merino grabbed the guests’ equaliser. Although Merino was despatched off for a second reserving with 11 minutes left, Arsenal clung on for a significant level within the battle for a top-five end within the Premier League.
Second-placed Arsenal sit 5 factors away from sixth-placed Aston Villa.
They face a vital conflict with third-placed Newcastle on the Emirates Stadium subsequent week earlier than travelling to relegated Southampton on the final day of the season.
With a vastly superior aim distinction to all their top-five rivals, Arsenal ought to want only one extra level to safe a Champions League berth regardless of profitable solely one in all their final six league video games.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped to the bench by Liverpool boss Arne Slot, simply days after the Merseyside-born England right-back confirmed he’ll go away Anfield when his contract expires in June.
Widely anticipated to affix Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold was changed by Conor Bradley.
Alexander-Arnold’s choice has divided Liverpool followers and he was booed by some sections of the gang when he got here on within the second half, with jeers accompanying his each contact after his introduction.
What may have been a dramatic title decider had turn out to be irrelevant to champions Liverpool after they wrapped up their record-equalling twentieth English crown two weeks in the past.
Arsenal’s failure to maintain tempo with Liverpool had turned the title race right into a procession, however the Gunners arrived at Anfield with much more nonetheless at stake.
They have been nonetheless licking their wounds after being dumped out of this season’s Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain within the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
That 2-1 defeat had prompted Arteta to assert Arsenal have been one of the best staff within the competitors.
Arsenal make their level
Arteta’s debatable boast got here simply days after he joked Arsenal had “won” the final two Premier Leagues as a result of they’d extra factors whereas ending runners-up to Manchester City than Liverpool had once they clinched this season’s title, regardless of Slot’s males nonetheless having a number of video games to play.
With a lot to show, Arsenal, with out a trophy for 5 years, needed to grit their enamel as they lined as much as give Liverpool a pre-match guard of honour onto the pitch.
Liverpool seemed like lording it over the north Londoners for even longer once they struck within the twentieth minute.
Andrew Robertson curled a cross to the close to put up, the place Gakpo planted his header previous David Raya from six yards.
Liverpool netted once more simply 87 seconds later as Diaz slid in to fulfill Dominik Szoboszlai’s low cross with a close-range end.
Raya was at full stretch to maintain out Curtis Jones’ strike as rampant Liverpool tore one other gap in Arsenal’s creaky defence.
Liverpool followers on the Kop rubbed salt into Arteta’s wounds as they chanted “best team in Europe? you’re having a laugh”.
But Arsenal had the right response to the taunts, pulling one again within the forty seventh minute when Martinelli met Leandro Trossard’s cross with a glancing header into the far nook.
Alisson Becker preserved Liverpool’s lead with an excellent cease from Ben White’s shot earlier than turning away Martinelli’s drive quickly afterwards.
Arteta’s males have been on high they usually deservedly drew stage within the seventieth minute.
Alexander-Arnold was the fall-guy after being jeered by his personal followers.
Martin Odegaard’s highly effective strike was parried by Alisson and Merino reacted quickest with a diving header whereas Alexander-Arnold performed the Spain midfielder onside.
Merino noticed pink 9 minutes later, incomes his marching orders for rash fouls on Darwin Nunez after which Szoboszlai.
Robertson had a stoppage-time aim disallowed for a foul by Ibrahima Konate on Myles Lewis-Skelly as Arsenal held on.
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