Arsenal Show Grit at Anfield After Liverpool Title Tribute

TDT | Manama

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Arsenal paid tribute to Premier League champions Liverpool with a guard of honour at Anfield, but refused to be overawed as they mounted a spirited comeback to earn a 2-2 draw on Sunday in a sun-soaked thriller.

Liverpool looked dominant early on, surging ahead with two goals in just 90 seconds—Cody Gakpo nodded in a cross from Andy Robertson in the 20th minute before Luis Diaz tapped home from a Dominik Szoboszlai assist. With Arsenal still smarting from their Champions League semi-final exit midweek, the first half looked like a coronation.

But Mikel Arteta’s side refused to go quietly. Gabriel Martinelli sparked the comeback just after halftime with a glancing header from Leandro Trossard's delivery. Then in the 70th minute, Mikel Merino pounced on a rebound from Martin Ødegaard’s thunderous shot—parried onto the woodwork by Alisson—to make it 2-2.

Merino’s joy was short-lived, however, as he was sent off nine minutes later for a rash tackle on Szoboszlai. Despite being down to 10 men, Arsenal held firm and nearly stole the win in stoppage time through Ødegaard, whose curling effort whistled just wide.

Liverpool thought they had snatched a late winner when Robertson found the net, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up. The day also saw a mixed reception for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was booed by sections of fans following the announcement of his departure at season’s end.

Slot and Arteta Reflect

“It was a great game of football,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot, celebrating his side’s 20th English title. “It didn’t matter much in the table, but it was about prestige.”

Arteta, meanwhile, praised his team’s reaction but condemned their sluggish start. “The first half was unacceptable. We reacted well, but no one at this club accepts those standards,” he said.

With two games remaining, Liverpool sit on 83 points, while Arsenal’s tally of 68 leaves their Champions League hopes hanging in the balance.