The Gunners performed admirably against the Reds with a shorthanded defence, but had to settle for a draw at the Emirates on Sunday

Much of the conversation heading into Arsenal's clash with Liverpool focused on the need for the hosts to avoid defeat to simply remain out of crisis, and they played like a team with renewed vigour just as Mikel Arteta promised. However, they could not see the game out amid more injury concerns as the two title-challengers played out a 2-2 draw.

The Gunners took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when a long ball over the top from Ben White caught Liverpool cold. Bukayo Saka, on his return from injury, plucked the pass out of the sky, sat Andy Robertson on his backside coming infield and fired beyond Caomhin Kelleher at the near post, grabbing his 50th Premier League goal.

But the Reds weren't behind for long as a corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold was flicked on by Luis Diaz and nodded in by Virgil van Dijk, who had slithered in front of his marker, Thomas Partey, to equalise.

Shortly before the break, Arsenal went back in front. Declan Rice's wicked free-kick from midway inside the Liverpool half flew over a sea of bodies but not that of Mikel Merino, who thumped a header past Kelleher. The goal survived a mighty long VAR check for offside, with the Spaniard's toe being deemed on by a matter of millimetres.

The hosts controlled much of the second half, but conceded against the run of play heading into the last 10 minutes. Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass, not too dissimilar to White's for the opening goal, sliced between Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Darwin Nunez collected the ball and squared for Mohamed Salah to brush home.

With stoppage-time looming, Arsenal thought they had grabbed a late winner when Kai Havertz dinked Kelleher, only for their celebrations to be cut short as the whistle had already gone for a foul, and so the spoils were shared.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…

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David Raya (6/10):

For the most part was well protected by his dutiful back four, though was still on hand to defend his near post and protect the box when Liverpool started pinging in crosses at a higher rate.

Thomas Partey (6/10):

Goodness knows what he was trying to do when marking Van Dijk on the equalising corner. Far more useful in open play, where he gave Diaz and Gakpo a tough going while himself playing out of position.

Ben White (8/10):

Returned to his once natural position of centre-back to cover for Saliba's absence through suspension. Slotted back into that role with ease and received a healthy dose of kudos for his lock-picking pass leading to Saka's opener.

Gabriel (6/10):

Made a couple of last-ditch swipes to clear hopeful Liverpool passes round the back in the first half. Substituted shortly after the restart with a knee problem sustained during a collision with Nunez to give the Gunners another injury headache.

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Didn't exactly relish getting into tussles with Salah on his comeback from injury, though he was enough of a handful that the Egyptian scarcely had a sight of goal while he was on the pitch. Taken off for the final 15 minutes after a bout of cramp.

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Bukayo Saka (8/10):

The name Arsenal fans were desperately hoping to see on the team-sheet and for good reason. Immediately shook off the rust of injury with a sumptuous goal coming in off the right flank. Liverpool sought to clobber him at any given opportunity in order to wear him down before he was substituted for Jesus.

Mikel Merino (7/10):

Survived a hairy moment when gifting Salah possession 25 yards from goal, before scoring his first Arsenal goal on the stroke of half-time. Typically slowed play down and tried to calm down those around him.

Declan Rice (6/10):

An industrious and effective performance from the £105m-man, who was again a menace with his set-pieces. Still lacking the X-factor on the ball that made him a standout midfielder last season, but he was still ultimately positive enough for Arsenal to carry out their game plan.

Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):

Gave Liverpool something to think about with his blistering pace off the back of Alexander-Arnold. However, he was too frequently muscled out of the game by the covering Konate. Came off for Nwaneri.

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Kai Havertz (5/10):

Referee Anthony Taylor was particularly harsh on the gangly German, who was often on the end of some cynical and heavy lunges. Nevertheless, that didn't hide his unimpressive showing when on the ball and he didn't ask nearly enough questions of Liverpool's backline.

Leandro Trossard (6/10):

Gave absolutely everything to knit midfield to attack, flittering between the lines before going right up alongside Havertz. Shifted to the left wing after Martinelli was taken off.

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Jakub Kiwior (6/10):

Brought on in place of Gabriel after 54 minutes when the big Brazilian succumbed to a knee issue and immediately endeared himself with a fine slide tackle. Wasn't authoritative enough leading to Salah's equaliser and his confidence dropped thereafter.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10):

Came on for the final 15 minutes in place of Timber. Far from ideal having to try and pin down Salah.

Gabriel Jesus (N/A):

Replaced Saka for the last knockings. Perhaps brought on slightly too late to make a real difference. Booked after the final whistle for arguing with the referee.

Ethan Nwaneri (N/A):

On at the same time as Jesus for Martinelli. Afforded a few touches in the final third but nothing influential.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

Given Arsenal's shortcomings in defence, this was as well as they could have really been set up. Yet they will still feel aggrieved to have only taken a point.