Arsenal gave newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool a guard of honour before kick-off, but soon reminded everyone why they were the only team to keep pace with them for most of the campaign. Despite going two goals down, the Gunners clawed back to secure a 2-2 draw under the bright sunshine at Anfield on Sunday.
Early Blitz Stuns the Visitors
Following the pre-match applause, Liverpool wasted no time asserting dominance. In the space of just 90 seconds, goals from Cody Gakpo, who nodded in a cross, and Luis Díaz, who tapped home after a smooth team move, gave the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead.
Arteta’s Men Respond After Setback
Still reeling from their midweek Champions League semi-final exit, Arsenal looked flat throughout the first half. But after the break, the visitors showed renewed purpose. Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back with a deft header shortly after the restart, sparking belief in the Arsenal ranks.
Merino Levels, Then Sees Red
Arsenal’s equalizer came through Mikel Merino, who reacted quickest to Martin Ødegaard’s thunderous strike that was pushed onto the woodwork by Alisson. Merino rose highest to head in the rebound, making it 2-2 in the 70th minute. However, the hero turned culprit just nine minutes later when he was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Dominik Szoboszlai. Despite going down to ten men, Arsenal held firm and even came close to snatching a late winner when Ødegaard fired just wide in stoppage time.
Late Drama and Disallowed Goals
Liverpool nearly stole it at the death as Andy Robertson fired in from close range, but the effort was chalked off due to a foul in the build-up. The game remained end-to-end until the final whistle, thrilling fans in the stadium and around the globe.
“It was a great game of football, fans all around the world and in the stadium love what they saw,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who became the first Dutch manager to win the English top flight. “It didn’t matter too much because the league table is clear but it is about prestige.”
Alexander-Arnold Gets Mixed Reception
One of the more emotional moments came when Trent Alexander-Arnold entered the field. The Liverpool right-back, who recently confirmed he would leave the club at season’s end, was met with boos from sections of the crowd upset about his decision to depart on a free transfer. The reaction cast a slight shadow over an otherwise celebratory day for the champions.
Arsenal’s Spirit Acknowledged
Arsenal may not have matched Liverpool over the entire season, but their grit was on full display. After Robertson and Szoboszlai combined to tear them apart in the first half, resulting in Díaz’s goal and several other close chances, they bounced back admirably.
“What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level so that’s not acceptable. We reacted, great but it is unacceptable,” said a frustrated Mikel Arteta post-match. “No-one accepts those standards. It has to hurt a lot.”
Looking Ahead
With two games left, Liverpool sit atop with 83 points, while Arsenal remain second on 68—still unsure of securing a top-five finish needed for Champions League qualification next season. Though their title bid has faded, the Gunners’ resilience at Anfield offers a sliver of hope for a strong finish.
About the Author
Arpit Sharma is a sports writer and journalism student at Chandigarh University, with a strong interest in sports analysis and storytelling. His writing combines match insights with a fresh, fan-first perspective that brings the game to life.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr's views.
With inputs from agencies
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