Mohamed Salah scored late to rescue a point for Liverpool in a thrilling Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 9th minute before Virgil van Dijk restored parity 18 minutes later. The Gunners’ new arrival from Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino, ensured Arsenal went into the break with a 2-1 lead before Salah’s late second-half strike pegged the hosts to a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool Premier League records
Arsenal went into the game having won their last two Premier League home games against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Liverpool posed an intimidating record in the English top flight against the Gunners. A staggering statistic showed the Reds haven’t failed to score in any of their last 17 Premier League meetings with Arsenal since a barren draw in August 2015.
However, they faced the tough task of weathering the challenge at the Emirates against an Arsenal side that has yet to taste defeat in their last four Premier League games against the Merseyside outfit, having won twice and drawn twice.
Also, Arsenal would record their first back-to-back defeats in the Premier League since 2023 and should they have lost the game, having lost their last fixture to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Arne Slot-led side were looking for their eighth Premier League win in nine matches, having lost only one of their eight games in the season.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool major highlights of the game
The game took a frantic pace from the start with both sides looking to take the lead. Arsenal held sway over proceedings, pressing the Reds to their half but could not create clear-cut chances.
However, it took the Gunners just nine minutes to race into the lead. Ben White had timed an inch-perfect pass over the top of the defense for the run of Saka, who took the ball in his stride ahead of Robertson and sat the full-back down with a beautiful nutmeg before cutting inside and sending a left-footed effort high into the roof of the net.
Nine minutes later, Liverpool fought back to equalize from a perfectly worked set-piece routine. Alexander-Arnold whipped his inswinging delivery to the near post, where it received a glancing flick from Diaz. Despite numerous bodies of Arsenal defenders, Van Dijk managed to stick his head in to make first contact, redirecting the ball past Raya from close range.
Mac Allister picked the first yellow card of the game.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka proved a tough nut to crack for Liverpool. From his line-breaking runs at the left to bold forays into the center of the Reds’ half.
In the 33rd minute, the England star attempted to brace into the visitors’ box from the right, but Mac Allister hung onto his back and brought him down for Arsenal’s free-kick. The Argentine picked up the first yellow card of the game for the uncouth challenge.
Arsenal retook the lead
10 minutes after Mac Allister’s yellow card, Arsenal raced into the lead again. New arrival from Real Sociedad Mikel Merino scored the Gunners’ second after a brilliantly delivered set-piece from Declan Rice.
The Spaniard beat the offside trap by the Liverpool wall and powered a brilliant header past Caoimihn Kelleher from close range to make it 2-1.
It was a contentious goal from a tight offside angle. The goal called for a lengthy VAR check and was allowed to stand afterwards with Mikel Merino opening his goal account for the Gunners.
The goal saw Arsenal go into the break with a deserved 2-1 lead after a great first-half performance.
However, before the break, Liverpool nearly pegged the Gunners to a draw. Real Madrid target Alexander-Arnold had threaded an inch-perfect pass to Mac Allister inside the box. The Argentine delivered a point-blank header, but his attempt was perfectly gathered by David Raya.
Both sides made a series of substitutions in the second half to twist the game, with Arsenal leading 2-1 through to the final minutes of the game.
Mohamed Salah nets equalizer for Liverpool
The Gunners were looking set to race to the finish line with all three points with their 2-1 lead before clutch Mo Salah spoiled the party. Alexander-Arnold had lifted a beautiful ball over the top of the defense for Salah, who pulled off, drove inside, and found an onside Nunez. Nunez passed the ball back to him again, and he dispatched it with a first-time finish to tie the score.
Late drama at regulation time
Exactly in the 90th minute, Arsenal raced into the lead again in what would have been a winning goal, but it was chalked off. Jones failed to hit a decisive clearance from 20 yards from his own goal, with Kiwior leaping over the back of Szoboszlai to head the ball back into the 18-yard box for Havertz.
The German attacker rounded Kelleher and looked to score, but his effort hit off the post. Substitute Ethan Nwaneri tucked home the rebound to make it 3-2, but it was ruled out for a foul in the buildup. The game ended with both sharing spoils in the four-goal thriller.
Premier League table standings after draw
The draw has seen the two teams retain their spots on the Premier League table before the game. Liverpool are second with 22 points, a point behind leaders Manchester City, while Arsenal are third with 18 points, four points behind the Reds and five behind Manchester City.
Liverpool will return to action with a midweek EFL third-round clash against Brighton on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, before hosting the same opponents in the Premier League on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Arsenal will play Preston in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, October 30, 2924 and then Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
