Arsenal blew a two-goal lead against Liverpool at Anfield, dropping two points, which could prove decisive in their race against Manchester City to win the Premier League title.
First-half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus had put the Gunners in control and on course to restore their eight-point lead at the top of the table. But a Mohamed Salah goal pulled one back for Liverpool before half-time and, although the Liverpool forward missed a second-half penalty, Roberto Firmino‘s 87th-minute header earned a 2-2 draw for the home side.
It could have been worse for Arsenal, though, had goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale not produced two stunning saves in stoppage time to deny Salah and Ibrahima Konate.
Rapid reaction
1. Arsenal let it slip and open the door for Manchester City
This was undoubtedly two points lost rather than one gained for Arsenal at Anfield, and the ramifications of their failure to hold onto a crucial win will only become clear in the weeks ahead.
Had Arsenal been able to see out the game and win at Anfield for the first time since 2012, they would have retained the advantage over Manchester City of knowing that they were in control of their title ambitions. But, although that still applies to the Gunners, who will be champions if they win all of their remaining eight games, the same can now also be said of City, who will retain the title if they win their final nine games.
City are six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, but if they win that extra game and beat Arsenal at the Etihad later this month, Pep Guardiola’s team will go top — and they are usually ruthlessly efficient when closing out a season from this stage.
