Arsenal fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Liverpool, despite finishing the game with 10 men following Mikel Merino's sending-off.

Arsenal, who are still fighting to ensure a second-place finish, gave Liverpool a guard of honour before kick-off at Anfield and were equally welcoming with their defending in the first half.

Two goals in the space of 87 seconds had Liverpool cruising, with Cody Gakpo heading in the first before Luis Diaz added a second.

But Arsenal came roaring back after half-time, with Gabriel Martinelli giving Mikel Arteta's men hope before Merino's diving header drew them level.

Liverpool then piled on the pressure after Merino was sent off for his second bookable offence, but Andy Robertson saw a potential winning goal disallowed for a foul as Arsenal held on, staying two points above third-placed Newcastle United.

How the match unfolded

There were early chances at both ends as Bukayo Saka headed wide and Diaz fired straight at David Raya from a wonderful position.

But Liverpool inched ahead in the 20th minute. Moments after passing up a chance to feed Mohamed Salah for a tap-in, Gakpo atoned by nodding Andy Robertson's cross home when unmarked at the near post.

And the Reds had a second less than two minutes later, with Salah's wonderful pass finding Dominik Szoboszlai, who squared for Diaz to tap into an empty net. However, Arsenal improved after half-time and were back in the game when Martinelli guided Leandro Trossard's cross home in the 47th minute.

William Saliba missed a golden chance, but Arsenal did get back on level terms in the 70th minute, Merino reacting quickest after Alisson tipped Martin Odegaard's shot onto the post.

Merino would not finish the game, though, as, having already been booked, he lunged into two ill-advised challenges on Darwin Nunez and Szoboszlai and received his second yellow card.

Odegaard fired wide on the break, but Liverpool went closest to a winner, with Robertson's close-range finish chalked off due to Ibrahima Konate's foul on Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the on-field decision to disallow the goal confirmed by the VAR.

Arsenal fightback frustrates Slot

There was a celebratory mood at Anfield ahead of kick-off as Arsenal – the team that promised to push Liverpool close for much of the season – applauded the champions onto the field.

Arne Slot shuffled his pack for Liverpool's first game after clinching the title, a 3-1 loss at Chelsea last week, but they were back to something approaching full strength on Sunday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was the big name left out of Slot's starting line-up, having announced he will leave the club earlier this week amid reported interest from Real Madrid.

His replacement, Conor Bradley, did not have a perfect audition for the permanent right-back berth, failing to engage Trossard in the build-up to Martinelli's goal, then going into the book for clattering Lewis-Skelly soon afterwards.

Alexander-Arnold entered the action in the 67th minute, but his arrival and early touches were met with jeers by some of those present at Anfield. 

It all amounted to a frustrating second half for the champions, who failed to make their one-man advantage count in the face of some staunch Arsenal defending late on.

But with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion and a home game against Crystal Palace to come, Slot's side have two opportunities to make more memories before the season is through.

Arsenal withdraw the red carpet

It has been a painful week for Arsenal, who are guaranteed to endure another trophyless season after Wednesday's second-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain dashed their hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League final.

For much of the campaign, Arteta might have had this match circled in the diary as a potential title-decider, but he instead had his players give Liverpool a guard of honour for the second time in five years, having also done so in 2019/20. 

Arteta cannot have been pleased about the respect offered by Arsenal's defence early on, though. Saliba was ball-watching as Gakpo ghosted into space for the opener, and a moment of hesitation from the Frenchman also allowed Diaz to reach Szoboszlai's pass for 2-0.

The injured Declan Rice was sorely missed in midfield as Liverpool threatened to run away with the contest, but Arsenal improved immediately after half-time, with Merino having a shot blocked in front of goal moments before Martinelli headed home.

After dragging themselves back to 2-2, Arsenal could have capitulated when they received their sixth red card in the Premier League this season. Instead, they almost got a winner through Odegaard's driving run and shot.

Arteta will be encouraged by Arsenal's heart as he plans another title tilt in 2025/26, and the Gunners now know a victory over Newcastle next week will secure Champions League football.

Match officials 

Referee: Anthony Taylor. Assistants: Gary Beswick, Lee Betts. Fourth official: Craig Pawson. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Mat Wilkes.