Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool as Thomas Partey and Declan Rice superb, Bukayo Saka clinical
Arsenal were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners got off to a flying start in the match as Bukayo Saka seized on Ben White's ball over the top to finish clinically.
Arsenal were dominant in the match after that, but Liverpool were able to level when Virgil van Dijk nodded in Luis Diaz's flick on from a corner. Right on the stroke of half time though it was Arsenal's turn to score from a set piece. This time Mikel Merino was on hand to head home his first goal for the club after Declan Rice's superb cross.
Liverpool grew back into it in the second half though, and Arsenal found their already threadbare back four decimated by injuries as Gabriel and Jurrien Timber were forced to come off.
Eventually Liverpool were able to take advantage when Mohamed Salah tapped home Darwin Nunez's low cross after a ball over the top by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Here's how football.london rated the Gunners players individually in the game.
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David Raya: Not called upon to make loads of huge saves but was ready when needed. A good block from Diaz at the near post, and did well to get a hand on a Salah cross that looked dangerous. Should he have come out to meet Nunez for the equaliser though? 6.
Thomas Partey: Many would have been worried by the prospect of Partey at right back going into the this game. They needn't have been. The Ghanaian was absolutely superb. 8.
Ben White: Dealt superbly well with being moved into a position he hasn't played in more than a year. A superb ball over the top for Saka's goal. 8.
Gabriel: As the only stable member of the back four he had been doing a good job defensively before his injury. Arsenal will hope any absence is a short term one. 7.
Jurrien Timber: Dealt well with Mohamed Salah down the left on his first start in nearly a month. Put in a real shift but ran out of puff at the end. The hope will be there's no serious injury. 7.
Declan Rice: Had a really good game in the first half snapping into tackles and allowing Arsenal to dominate the midfield. Superb delivery for the Merino goal too. Asked to defend more second period and did well. 8.
Mikel Merino: Possibly should have got his first goal for the club earlier in the game but took his second chance brilliantly. Solid enough in the middle of the park and understood the tempo well. 7.
Bukayo Saka: Absolutely clinical with his one big chance of the match. Even half fit he was able to take Andy Robertson to the cleaners. 8.
Gabriel Martinelli: Loves playing against Liverpool but had one of his quieter afternoons against them. Worked tirelessly but didn't have the finesse in the final third. 6.
Leandro Trossard: Had some bright moments in the first half to win the ball high and create chances against Alexander-Arnold. Slowed down a little in the second half though. 7.
Kai Havertz: Not at his most effective up front. Had chances but couldn't make the most of them. Worked himself into the ground for the team as usual though. 6.
SUBSTITUTES -
Jakub Kiwior: Didn't really put a foot wrong after replacing the talismanic Gabriel. Defended solidly and was decent on the ball. 7.
Myles Lewis-Skelly: The goal game down his side but that was more the quality of the ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Some great composure in testing moments. 6
Ethan Nwaneri: Came on too late for a rating. n/a.
Gabriel Jesus: Came on too late for a rating. n/a.