Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool: Player Ratings as Saka and Salah score in a thrilling draw between the title contenders

Arsenal hosted Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League and the two giants played out a thrilling 2-2 draw.

The Gunners made a great start to the contest as Bukayo Saka gave them the lead after just nine minutes. Benjamin White’s lofted ball released the Englishman, who beat Andrew Robertson with his first touch and fired the ball in at the near post. However, Liverpool found a response pretty quick. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross was flicked on by Luis Diaz as Virgil van Dijk nodded in to make it 1-1.

Arsenal then grabbed a go-ahead goal in the 43^rd minute as Mikel Merino bagged his first for his new club from a lovely free-kick by Declan Rice. The hosts led 2-1 at the break.

The second half saw the Gunners remain content with their lead as they took their own sweet time to register an attempt on goal. However, Mohamed Salah equalized for Liverpool with nine minutes to go from an assist by Darwin Nunez. Neither team could alter the scoreline after that and the game ended 2-2. Let’s take a look at the player ratings for both sides.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Goalkeeper

David Raya – 7/10

Raya made two good saves in this match and also played 11 long balls.

Defenders

Thomas Partey – 7.5/10

Partey had a great game as he won 13 duels, making three clearances, one block and one interception. He also made five tackles.

Benjamin White – 7.5/10

White won two of three duels, making six clearances and one interception. He also provided an assist for Arsenal’s opening goal.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 7/10

Gabriel had a solid game in defence but was forced off with an injury early in the second half.

Jurrien Timber – 7/10

Timber was solid in defence but was subbed off with an injury in the second period.

Midfielders

Bukayo Saka – 8/10

Saka scored a lovely goal in the first half. He also won seven duels and completed two dribbles past opponents.

Declan Rice – 8/10

Rice provided an assist for Arsenal’s second goal from a lovely free-kick. He passed the ball with 85% accuracy, including two key passes and two accurate crosses.

Mikel Merino – 7.5/10

Merino had a good game and bagged his first goal for the Gunners. He also won seven duels and played one key pass.

Gabriel Martinelli – 7/10

Martinelli completed two dribbles past opponents and won four duels. He also played one key pass and attempted one shot that was off-target.

Forwards

Leandro Trossard – 7/10

Trossard showed grit and determination as he contested for every ball. However, he was unlucky inside the box.

Kai Havertz – 7/10

Havertz had a decent game for Arsenal in attack but was unable to score.

Substitutes

Jakub Kiwior – 6.5/10

He replaced Gabriel in the second period but was unable to match the Brazilian’s level.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6.5/10

He came on in the second period and put in a great cameo for the Gunners.

Ethan Nwaneri & Gabriel Jesus – N/A

They played fewer than 10 minutes apiece and hence do not warrant a rating.

Manager

Mikel Arteta – 7.5/10

Despite injuries to key players, Arteta avoided defeat in this crucial fixture.

ALSO READ: West Ham United vs Man United Player Ratings: The Hammers see off Red Devils in Riveting Contest

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Arsenal

Goalkeeper

Caiomhin Kelleher – 6/10

Kelleher made just one save in this match.

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5/10

Alexander-Arnold was not at his best in this game, except the pass he played that created a goalscoring opportunity for the Reds’ second goal.

Ibrahima Konate – 7/10

Konate won all three of his duels, making six clearances and two tackles.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.5/10

Van Dijk scored a goal in the first half. He also won seven duels, making six clearances and one interception. He also played one key pass.

Andrew Robertson – 6/10

Robertson was at fault for his team conceding an early goal. He had a subpar game overall.

Midfielders

Ryan Gravenberch – 6.5/10

He passed the ball with 91% accuracy and won seven duels in a decent performance for Liverpool squad.

Curtis Jones – 6.5/10

Jones had a decent game for his team but was unable to make an impact on the proceedings.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5/10

The Argentine midfielder had an average game for the Reds.

Forwards

Mohamed Salah – 7.5/10

Salah scored against Arsenal squad for the seventh-successive season. He also played one key pass and won three duels as well.

Darwin Nunez – 7/10

Nunez provided an assist for Liverpool’s second goal. He also won five duels.

Luis Diaz – 6.5/10

Diaz provided an assist for his team’s first goal but was average apart from that.

Substitutes

Konstantinos Tsimikas – 6.5/10

Tsimikas replaced Robertson and put in a decent shift.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5/10

He replaced Mac Allister and put in a good performance.

Cody Gakpo – 6.5/10

Gakpo replaced Diaz and played well.

Wataru Endo – N/A

He played less that 10 minutes and hence does not warrant a rating.

Manager

Arne Slot – 7/10

Slot was booked for dissent but managed the game well apart from that.

ALSO READ: Crystal Palace 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings as Postecoglou’s men stunned by the hosts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)