Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool as Merino and Raya save a point, Martinelli encouraging

Arsenal took the onus to attack from the off against Liverpool but like much of the season, when the chances came, they failed to take them and it proved costly. First Bukayo Saka had a volley go just wide of the goal unchallenged and then Thomas Partey stole the ball from Curtis Jones inside the box only for both he and Leandro Trossard to leave it for the other and lose it.

Liverpool would hit back with both barrels in quick succession, firstly Cody Gakpo headed in from close range before seconds later the Reds found another ball in behind to Dominik Szoboszlai whose cross reached a sliding Luis Diaz. Arsenal hit back early in the second half though, with Gabriel Martinelli’s header glancing into the corner.

Then they found the equaliser after Martin Odegaard finally shot from range to force a big save from Alisson that Mikel Merino gladly headed in the rebound. However, the Spaniard would then be sent off not long after

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:

David Raya – Made a very good close range save from Luis Diaz that should have been put further to the Spaniard’s right. However he was beaten twice, with the second seeing Szoboszlai catching the keeper out of position. Produced another excellent save in the second period, tipping another long-range strike round the post. Right at the end of the game the save from Van Dijk is unbelieavable! 8

Ben White – Certainly a difference from the usual assuredness of Jurrien Timber. White too, guilty of being caught out of position and despite a shot in the second half, had little impact on the game but did salvage a performance with a good tackle on Gakpo plus the chance. 6

William Saliba – Made several errors in the lead up to both Liverpool goals and nearly cost the side one before they went in. He was not alive to the danger of Gakpo in the box leaving him free, while Diaz managed to get the wrong side of the Frenchman to tap in the second. 5

Jakub Kiwior – Awful positioning for the second goal, caught very far upfield and the slow saunter back proved costly as Luis Diaz tapped in unchallenged after Raya was forced to come out. Did manage to restore some pride with a last-ditch tackle on Jones in the box. 6

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Mohamed Salah had the beating of the 18-year-old on many occasions and after going onto a yellow card, that only made the job even tougher. However, he did manage to survive and mainly shut out Mohamed Salah which is no mean feet. 6

Thomas Partey – Wasted a glorious chance after stealing the ball off Curtis Jones in the first half. Lucky to avoid a booking, Partey was guilty of several more fouls putting him on a knife edge with still well over a whole half to play and just survived. 5

Mikel Merino – Tired. That is how I would describe the Spaniard’s first-half display which lacked energy and the tracking back also exposed just how important Declan Rice is to this side. However he was alert to the chance to score the second Arsenal goal, heading in after the brilliant save by Alisson.

But then with a rush of blood, having been booked in the first half, he dived in on Szoboszlai rashly earning a second yellow card and rightfully left the field of play. 5

Martin Odegaard – Provided the free-kick for the early Bukayo Saka chance but otherwise was widely ineffective in the first half. It was his strike which was brilliantly saved by Alisson that rebounded to Merino for the second. 6

Bukayo Saka – Missed a massive early chance from an Odegaard free-kick which he volleyed wide of Alisson’s right post. Had the chance to get a goal back after the two quickfire Liverpool strikes but fired his attempt well over. 6

Gabriel Martinelli – His first clear impact on the game was his goal at the start of the second half, glancing in a header to beat Alisson. Much better in the second half as he played mainly as a centre-forward. 7

Leandro Trossard – Messed up completely when Partey won the ball in the box, miscommunication at its finest. Somewhat made up for his earlier mistake with the perfect cross for the Brazilian to claw a goal back. Sadly though it appears he has suffered a problem with his left hamstring. 6

Substitutions –

Kieran Tierney – Coming on at left wing to replace the injured Martinelli. Had little impact after coming on. n/a

Riccardo Calafiori – Coming on at right-back for Ben White. Had little impact after coming on. n/a

Oleksandr Zinchenko - Came on late with little chance to change the game!