Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool: Player ratings after Gunners held by title rivals

Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino scored either side of a Virgil van Dijk goal, but Mohamed Salah's 81st-minute equaliser salvaged a draw for Liverpool and forced Arsenal to settle for a point.

The Gunners reasserted themselves early, thanks to Saka's industry and dynamism, along with the resourcefulness of defensive stand-ins Ben White and Thomas Partey. They helped Mikel Arteta's team more than cope without the suspended William Saliba and injured Riccardo Calafiori, but the Arsenal chief saw Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber hobble off during a costly second half.

White and Partey's jobs were made easier thanks to the cover provided by Declan Rice. The busiest man in Arsenal's engine room never stopped working, rarely missed a tackle and produced some exquisite set-piece deliveries.

It wasn't all plain sailing for the hosts, though. Not when Kai Havertz laboured up top. His meandering performance was hardly helped by an off-colour Leandro Trossard and a little-used Gabriel Martinelli, who didn't see enough to the ball to build on some positive early moments.

Here are the player ratings from Sunday's domestic stalemate.

Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6/10 - Raya wasn't tested as much as he might've have expected against a usually free-flowing Liverpool side, but the Spaniard still kept his calm between the sticks. He wasn't at fault for Liverpool's first goal, with the visitors simply working their own version of the old Arsenal near-post corner routine between Luis Diaz and Van Dijk.

Thomas Partey (RB) - 8/10 - Whisper it very, very quietly, but Partey is actually enjoying a solid run for form. In fact, it might be his best run of form since signing for Arsenal. Granted, there's some irony about most of his impressive displays coming at right-back, not midfield, but beggars can't be choosers. Partey handled Diaz comfortably, frustrating the Colombian livewire until one of Liverpool's main men was subbed off just aftet the hour mark. It's no wonder some grand old names of Europe are interested in Partey.

Ben White (CB) - 8/10 - Partey playing right-back left White to slide into the middle in place of Saliba. The Englishman handled his assignment superbly, staying aware to Liverpool's movement in the final third, while also showing some true quality on the ball. Never moreso than when White picked out Saka with a peach of a long pass for the opening goal.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7/10 - Playing on Salah's side of the pitch, next to a returning Timber, gave Gabriel a lot to do. Fortunately, Arsenal's Mr. Dependable knows how to multi-task. He supported Timber whenever needed, but also blocked any late-breaking Liverpool runs from the heart of midfield. His injury is a blow because Gabriel has become a stabilising force for the Arsenal back line.

Jurrien Timber (LB) - 5/10 - Timber was rushed back from injury to start out of position, and both things showed. The gifted athlete was run ragged whenever Liverpool overloaded Salah's side of the pitch, and it took consistent support from both Gabriel and retreating winger Martinelli to help Timber just about hang on as the match progressed. It was hardly surprising when Timber had to limp off with less than 20 minutes to go. A vivid illustration of Arsenal's growing frailty among the defensive ranks.

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