Arsenal and Liverpool played out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield on May 11, 2025, in a match that showcased moments of brilliance, high drama, and a tale of two halves.
Liverpool, already confirmed as Premier League champions, began the game with the freedom and confidence befitting their status. Within 20 minutes, they raced into a commanding lead. Cody Gakpo made up for an earlier miss by rising highest to meet Andy Robertson’s cross with a powerful header that beat David Raya. Less than two minutes later, Dominik Szoboszlai turned provider, squaring the ball across the box for Luis Diaz to tap into an empty net. The quick-fire double left Arsenal stunned, and the hosts looked in control at half-time.
However, Arsenal returned from the break with renewed purpose. Mikel Arteta’s side, still chasing second place, began the second half with intensity and determination. Their reward came just two minutes after the restart. Leandro Trossard, deployed in an unfamiliar centre-forward role, whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and Gabriel Martinelli ghosted into the box to glance a clinical header into the far corner.
The Gunners continued to press, and by the 70th minute, they had drawn level. Martin Ødegaard’s fierce long-range drive was parried brilliantly by Alisson, but Mikel Merino reacted quickest, diving forward to nod the rebound into the net. Liverpool appealed for offside, but replays confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold—playing his final home match before departing the club—had played Merino onside.
Merino’s match, however, took a turn for the worse just nine minutes later. Already booked, the Spanish midfielder picked up a second yellow card for a pair of cynical fouls on Darwin Núñez and Szoboszlai in quick succession, leaving Arsenal to see out the final 10 minutes with ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Arsenal held firm. In fact, both teams had chances to win it late on. Ødegaard sliced a shot just wide after a slick counter-attack, while Robertson thought he had won it for Liverpool in stoppage time—only for VAR to chalk off the goal due to a foul by Ibrahima Konaté on Myles Lewis-Skelly in the build-up.
The match ended 2-2, a fair reflection of the balance of play. Liverpool, having already sealed the title, can afford to rotate and rest in their final outing. Arsenal, meanwhile, will see this spirited comeback as a potentially vital point in their bid for a second place finish.
The Gunners now head into the final day of the season knowing that 2nd place finish remains in their hands, though they’ll need to do it without Merino, who will serve a suspension. It wasn’t the perfect performance, but Arteta’s men showed grit, quality, and the kind of belief that could yet salvage a satisfying end to the season.