In a difficult phase, FC Arsenal celebrated a respectable success in Liverpool FC, but the point at 2-2 after 0: 2 half-time residue could be in the fight for the runner-up championship. Even the move into the Champions League is not yet in dry cloths after there were only two points from the past three league portraits.
The team of coach Mikel Areteta remains second, but Newcastle United has only two points behind two games before the end of the season – the next week (May 18, 2025) there is a direct duel over the runner -up in the Premier League.
Behind the two teams, Manchester City (three points behind Arsenal) lurks to a slip, also Chelsea, Aston Villa (both five points behind) and Nottingham Forest (six) can still be dangerous for the Londoners. The top five make it into the premier class.
Liverpool strikes twice within one minute
So far, only Liverpool, which had lost at FC Chelsea (1: 3) in the previous week, had the place there. Arsenal had a strong start and the first top chance (4th) through Bukayo Saka, but then the “Reds” showed their class.
“Gunner’s” goalkeeper David Raya still prevented Luis Diaz masterfully closed with a great parade (8th), but a little later the Spaniard was twice powerless. Cody Gakpo came to the header from a short distance and scored the 1-0 (20th), just a minute later Diaz increased after the presentation of Dominik Szoboszlai (21st). After that, Raya even had to prevent Curtis Jones’s 0: 3 (25th).
Merino hits the goal first, then he sees yellow-red
As at the beginning of the game, Arsenal also got better out of the cabin for the second round – and this time was also successful. Gabriel Martinelli used his enormous freedom and headed the connection goal (47th). Overall, the Areta team was good at the game in the first half, had a significantly more possession, but big problems against the master’s fast attacks.
Nothing of them could initially be seen after the break, Arsenal pushed further after the 1-2 and had several chances of equalizing. Among other things, William Saliba missed a hundred percent (66th) after a strong corner variant from three meters. But the next followed and provided 2-2 – after a post shot by Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino pressed the ball into the empty goal (70th).
The Spaniard celebrated in this situation, ten minutes later the game was over for him. Merino followed after a loss of ball, but came a moment too late and Senste Darwin Nunez so that he rightly saw his second yellow card of the game (80th).
“Reds” make pressure in an outnumber, arsenal remains stable
Liverpool then played for victory again – but there was no. Andrew Robertson missed the greatest opportunity in the 89th minute when he came to the end after a deflected flank from Mohamed Salah, but narrowly missed the goal. There were also other chances for the hosts and a goal from Robertson – Ibrahima Konaté had previously committed a clear foul. Arsenal could also have won, Odegaard missed the winning goal for the guests in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
So Arsenal did not take the hoped -for step towards the runner -up championship, but after the end of the champions of the Champions League against Paris St. Germain and the unsuccessful past games in the Premier League, it was once again a encouragement for the final two games. And especially for the duel for second place against Newcastle.