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Mohamed Salah’s late second-half goal clinched a thrilling 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners struck first when Bukayo Saka, back from injury, confidently fired past Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. However, Liverpool leveled the score with a powerful header from Virgil van Dijk on a set piece.
Mikel Merino, making his home debut in the Premier League, restored Arsenal’s lead before halftime with a well-placed header from a free-kick. Yet injuries to Gabriel and Jurrien Timber forced Arsenal into a more defensive stance. They were ultimately punished in the 81st minute when Salah coolly finished past David Raya, earning Liverpool a hard-fought point and extending manager Arne Slot’s unbeaten away record.
After the match, Saka shared his frustration with Sky Sports: “We’re a bit disappointed. Liverpool is a strong side, but we feel we didn’t perform to our full potential for the whole match.”
He continued, “In the first half, we showed our quality, controlled the game, and limited their chances—they only scored off a set piece. But in the second half, we stepped back and weren’t at our best. Liverpool started winning more duels, controlling possession, and turning the game in their favor, which forced us to defend more.”
Addressing Gabriel’s injury, Saka acknowledged its impact but stressed the team’s resilience: “He’s a crucial player, but we need to adapt and give our all, no matter who’s on the field.”
On his goal, Saka added: “Missing games is tough for me, and watching from the sidelines was frustrating. I pushed hard to be back for this match. I like keeping goalkeepers on their toes; I haven’t seen the goal replay yet, but it felt like a great finish.”
