Premier League: Mohamed Salah scores late equalizer to give Liverpool 2-2 draw at Arsenal

Mohamed Salah’s late equalizer earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw with rivals Arsenal in a spectacular Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber limping off to add to the Gunners’ woes from – for injuries.

Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the ninth minute when he intercepted Ben White’s ball, cut past Andy Robertson and fired past Caoimhin Kelleher at his near post for his 50th Premier League goal since his return from injury.

Virgil van Dijk, who may have been lucky to avoid a card for his petulant tackle on Kai Havertz in the early exchanges, equalized nine minutes later with a Luis Diaz corner.

“I think coming back twice is good and we will understand that and move on,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

Arsenal responded positively and missed several half-chances, with Saka firing over the crossbar and Havertz failing to control Gabriel Martinelli’s dangerous ball across goal.

The home side wanted a penalty just after the half-hour mark when Ibrahima Konate’s clumsy shot brought down Martinelli, but referee Anthony Taylor deemed he had enough of the ball before Havertz volleyed home.

Mikel Merino scored his first goal for Arsenal just before half-time, responding with a header from Declan Rice’s free-kick which was ruled to be offside after a lengthy VAR check.

Liverpool improved after the break and Dias went close five minutes after play restarted after a confused run down the touchline.

ARSENAL “VERY DISAPPOINTED”

Gabriel limped off early in the second half and was replaced by Jakub Kivior as Arsenal suffered another injury to a key player. Recent returnee Timber followed later.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hopes to soon bring back captain Martin Odegaard, who has been out since September but said on the matchday program he was close to returning.

The hosts had to withstand considerable pressure, although they threatened on the counter-attack as Liverpool left gaps in the defence.

Salah leveled the game in the 81st minute with a calm strike from Darwin Nunez’s selfless cross, putting the Egyptian striker eighth on the all-time list and level with Robbie Fowler on 163 career Premier League goals.

The momentum seemed to be in Liverpool’s comeback win, but Arsenal put the ball in the net at the death through a combination between Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, although referee Taylor had already called for a foul.

Asked about the incident, Arteta said he did not know why the foul was called in the build-up and declined to comment further.

The draw leaves Liverpool in second place with 22 points from nine games, one point behind Manchester City, while Arsenal moves into third with 18 points.

Arteta told reporters he was “very disappointed” that his side didn’t win, but said: “Very proud of the team, especially in the situation we’re going through at the moment.”

He added that he would prefer to be five points ahead of City rather than five points behind, although he said: “The team is alive, the team wants it.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he was overall happy: “It’s good to see us go two behind a very strong and good Arsenal team and then get a point.”