Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal: Two costly mistakes made by Arteta

Arsenal went into their match against Liverpool at Anfield with a history of struggle on their opponent's home turf.

However, the Gunners got off to an impressive start as Gabriel Martinelli capitalized on a mistake from Virgil van Dijk, sprinted past Liverpool's defence, and expertly slotted the ball into the net.

Arsenal's lead was then doubled by Gabriel Jesus, who showed an impressive aerial ability to connect with a pinpoint cross from Martinelli, leaving Liverpool's goalkeeper, Alisson, with no chance.

Despite Arsenal's dominance in the first half, the game took a dramatic turn when Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold clashed.

This woke up the Anfield crowd, and Liverpool started to play with more intensity, which led to Mohamed Salah scoring a crucial goal, tapping in at the back post to bring the Reds back into the game.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trying to gain an edge. Liverpool was handed a golden opportunity to equalize when Rob Holding got tangled up with Diogo Jota in the penalty area, and a penalty was awarded. However, Salah failed to convert from the spot, shooting wide of the target, which left Arsenal still ahead.

As the game progressed, Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure, and their efforts were finally rewarded when Firmino scored an equalizer late in the game.

With the score now tied, both teams fought hard to get the winning goal, but neither side could find the breakthrough, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Overall, it was a thrilling match with plenty of twists and turns, and both teams deserve credit for their performances.

Although Arsenal may be disappointed to have let a two-goal lead slip away, they can take heart from their impressive display, and they will look to build on this result as they continue their quest for a successful season.

Here are two mistakes made by Arteta at Anfield 

Cooler heads needed - wrong

Xhaka's fiery temper turned Anfield into a pressure cooker

Arsenal started the game perfectly. Two first-half goals completely silenced the normally bustling Anfield crowd. However, the atmosphere went through the gears after Granit Xhaka clashed with Alexander-Arnold.

The Switzerland international lashed out at the Englishman after they both clashed in the middle of the pitch. This triggered a brief series of pushing and shoving between both sides. Critically, this incident cranked up the volume at Anfield and gave the struggling Liverpool players a huge list.

Chances were then created by a previously flat Liverpool attack and their pressure culminated with Salah’s messy goal on the stroke of half-time.

Cool heads and composure are needed if you want to leave Anfield with points. That very brief lapse in emotions could have been costly.

Substitutions - wrong

Arteta took a very long time to refresh his team

Considering how passive Liverpool were in the first 30 minutes, the Reds were always going to come roaring back in the second half. For much of the second half, Arsenal were struggling to cope with the constant tide of Liverpool attacks.

With Alexander-Arnold strolling into midfield, the Reds were outnumbering the North Londoners in the middle of the pitch. Arteta’s side is not one that likes to lump the ball down the pitch, especially when Jesus is battling against two giants in Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

At times, Liverpool had them penned into their own 18 yard box - exactly where you do not want to be when you are holding onto a one goal lead. However, Arteta did not look to his bench until the 70th minute, when he curiously introduced Trossard and January signing Jakub Kiwior for Jesus and Odegaard.