Arsenal came from two goals down and finished with 10 players in a 2-2 draw with champions Liverpool on a strange but compelling afternoon at Anfield.
Two goals in 87 first-half seconds put Arne Slot’s side in control as Cody Gakpo nodded in the opener from close range before Luis Diaz slid in to double the advantage but headers from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino changed the mood after the break.
The introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold when still one up was roundly booed by Liverpool supporters in the Kop, infuriated by his decision to depart in the summer, and it seemed to be a distraction as Arne Slot’s side saw the game wrestled from them.
Merino’s red card altered the flow again with Alexander-Arnold – of all people – coming close to finding the winner. There was even the drama of Andy Robertson having a stoppage-time goal disallowed following a foul by Ibrahima Konate.
The draw means Liverpool can no longer reach the 90-point mark this season, while Arsenal stay second, edging closer to securing a top-five finish.
Liverpool appeared to have more energy in the first half with Conor Bradley’s combative performance at right-back well received by the home crowd, seemingly justifying his inclusion ahead of Alexander-Arnold. The Reds threatened to run away with the game.
Mikel Arteta had suggested that Liverpool had been fortunate to be confirmed as champions despite not yet overhauling Arsenal’s points total of the previous two seasons but this looked an awkward afternoon for him after his side’s European exit.
