Arsenal held by Liverpool in blow to Premier League title bid
Arsenal vs Liverpool: The 2021-22 Premier League season has been full of drama and excitement, with the latest game between Liverpool and Arsenal being no exception. In a pulsating encounter, Arsenal blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, giving Manchester City fresh hope of retaining the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta’s men had been on a remarkable run of seven consecutive league wins before this game, and their early dominance against Liverpool suggested that they were well on their way to an eighth. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal in control, but Mohamed Salah pulled one back just before half-time to spark a Liverpool fightback.
Liverpool had several chances to equalize in the second half, but they were denied by a combination of poor finishing and some fantastic saves from Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. However, Roberto Firmino eventually found the back of the net in the 87th minute to complete the comeback and secure a point for his side.
Despite the disappointment of dropping two points, Arsenal still have a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand. The two sides are set to meet at the Etihad Stadium later this month in what could be a decisive game in the title race.
However, the match will also be remembered for an incident that occurred just after the half-time whistle. Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis was caught on camera thrusting an elbow into the face of Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson as the players were walking off the pitch. The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many fans calling for Hatzidakis to be punished for his actions.
The draw also marked another milestone for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who became the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 100 goals for a single club. The Egyptian forward achieved the feat in just 162 games, beating the previous record held by Alan Shearer, who took 212 games to reach the milestone for Blackburn Rovers.
Salah has been in sensational form for Liverpool since his arrival from Roma in 2017, scoring 129 goals in all competitions and helping the club win the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup. He has established himself as one of the best players in the world and is widely regarded as one of the greatest signings in Liverpool’s recent history.
The Premier League is undoubtedly one of the most exciting football leagues in the world. Every season, fans from all around the globe are glued to their screens to watch the drama unfold as the top teams in England battle it out for the title. The 2021/22 Premier League season is no different, with plenty of twists and turns already taking place.
The season kicked off in August with much excitement and anticipation after a summer of high-profile transfers and a summer of international football. Manchester City, who were the defending champions, were the bookies’ favorites to retain their title. However, it didn’t take long for the challengers to emerge.
One of the biggest surprises of the season so far has been the form of Arsenal. The Gunners had a dismal start to the previous season and were expected to struggle again this year. However, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, the team has turned a corner and have been playing some excellent football. They were even able to snatch a draw against Liverpool, a team that had previously been dominant over them.
Overall, the game between Liverpool and Arsenal was a thrilling encounter that showcased the best of the Premier League. While Arsenal will be disappointed to have dropped two points, they will take heart from their impressive start to the season and will be hoping to continue their title charge in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Liverpool will be relieved to have salvaged a point from a difficult situation and will be looking to build on their momentum in the weeks ahead.
