We went behind twice and had to settle for a point after a thrilling clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

Bukayo Saka, back from injury, played our opening game before Virgil van Dijk moved on to the visiting team. Mikel Merino’s first header for the club put us back in front before the break.

However, Liverpool took advantage of the injuries in our back line in the second half and drew the draw with the goal scored by Mohamed Salah in the counter attack.

Our defense, which did not already have the services of the suspended William Saliba, had to adapt to the injuries of Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, but we held on for a while.

Saka’s half century

Following a moving rendition of The Last Message to celebrate the upcoming Remembrance Day, this highly anticipated Premier League clash kicked off in the atmosphere of a crackling Emirates Stadium.

Decibel levels were increased in the opening ten minutes. Ben White, who replaced the suspended William Saliba at centre-back, was given time to play the ball in his own half and made a great pass to Saka, who was quickly running down the right wing. He ran onto the pitch, cut the ball out with his left foot, completely deceived Andy Robertson and slotted the ball towards the near post.

What a way to celebrate his return to the starting eleven after missing our last two games and it was also our right winger’s 50th goal in the Premier League. He is the 11th Arsenal player to reach the milestone in the Premier League and the seventh-youngest player at any club.

Liverpool level

But soon the leadership faded away. Virgil van Dijk cut in from a corner and headed in from point-blank range after Luis Diaz had struck the ball at the near post.

We waited for Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to run on the wings and recover. Merino took the free kick taken by Declan Rice but could not find the goal. Saka then shot from 20 yards after a driving run.

Martinelli beat Trent Alexander-Arnold inside the area to deliver a teasing cross, but Kai Havertz couldn’t reach the far post in time.

merino magic

Havertz then shot from a better position, while Martinelli claimed a penalty after a clumsy challenge in the area. VAR checked this but was satisfied with the referee’s initial indecisiveness. As we continued to look dangerous going forward, Martinelli suddenly fired.

A second goal appeared to be on the cards and Merino duly provided the goal at the end of the half.

Rice had cashed in with set-pieces throughout the first 45 minutes and his inviting free-kick from the right was met powerfully by our Spanish midfielder, who was able to celebrate his first Gunners goal after a lengthy VAR review for possible offside. .

defensive change

Gabriel had to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior after holding his knee early in the second half, and our back four looked decidedly uncharacteristic over the final 35 minutes.

This change led to a shift in momentum as Liverpool began to look increasingly dangerous.

Before Gravenberch could shine as we came under pressure, Diaz burst into the box and was stopped by Raya.

Jurrien Timber was the next defender sent off, his place at left-back being taken by Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The pressure was on as we entered the final 10 minutes. Darwin Nunez was on the right wing and cut the ball across to Salah on the finish line. This was our only defensive shift in the second half.

With the introduction of Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus, our two wingers were replaced in the last ten minutes, giving their all on the field.

As the game went into extra time, İsa sent the ball into the goal, but the whistle had already blown for Kiwior’s flagrant foul during the build-up.

So we had to settle for a point that would keep us in third place in the points table.

what’s next

Our next 4 matches will be played away. We turn our attention to the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night as we travel to face Championship side Preston North End in the fourth round. We return to the Premier League game away to Newcastle United on Saturday. This is followed by trips to Inter Milan and Chelsea ahead of the next international tour.