Arsenal staged an impressive second-half comeback to secure a vital 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, clawing back from two goals down against newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool to stay firmly on course for Champions League qualification.
The Gunners found themselves in trouble early on, trailing 2-0 following first-half goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz. But Gabriel Martinelli gave Mikel Arteta's side hope shortly after the break before Mikel Merino struck the equaliser.
Despite Merino's dismissal for a second bookable offence with just over ten minutes remaining, Arsenal held on to earn a valuable point in the race for a top-five finish.
The result leaves Arsenal in second place, five points above sixth-placed Aston Villa, and with a significant advantage in goal difference, they are now just a single point away from sealing a return to Europe's elite competition. Their remaining fixtures include a showdown with third-placed Newcastle and a trip to already-relegated Southampton.
Speaking after the game, Arteta acknowledged the poor start: "What we produced in the first half was far from our level - it's unacceptable," he said. "That's on me. The standards here are high, and it has to hurt when we fall short."