Mikel Merino celebrates the equaliser in Arsenal's 2-2 draw against Liverpool
Arsenal scored twice in the second half to salvage a 2-2 draw at Liverpool in their English Premier League (EPL) encounter at Anfield on Sunday.
The four-goal thriller was brought to life by the hosts, who scored quickfire first-half goals through Cody Gakpo and Luiz Diaz, but were pegged back by a second-half blitz from the visitors, Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino, minutes before being sent off, ensuring the champions’ party was deflated.
Liverpool dominated the early exchanges and deservedly scored twice in two minutes, Gakpo heading in Andy Robertson’s cross for 1-0 on 20 minutes before Diaz slotted Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass into an empty net a minute later for a 2-0 advantage that was maintained at halftime.
The Gunners improved after the break and halved the deficit two minutes into the second half with a header from Leandro Trossard’s cross. Merino was on hand to restore parity with another header on the rebound from a saved Martin Odegaard effort on 70 minutes. The Spaniard was, however, sent off nine minutes later for a lunging tackle, and Arsenal held on to take a point in the pulsating encounter.
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Liverpool have 83 points from 36 matches, 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with two games to the end of the season.
In other matches, Nicholas Jackson was shown a straight red card for elbowing an opponent as Chelsea succumbed to a 2-0 loss at Newcastle United, which dented the Blues’ top-five ambition. Manchester United, without ambition on the league scene, suffered a 2-0 loss at home to West Ham United, and it was the same scoreline for Tottenham, their Europa League final opponent, who lost to Crystal Palace.
RESULTS
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Manchester United 0-2 West Ham United
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester City
Tottenham 0-2 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United 2-0 Chelsea
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