The midfielder netted the equaliser for Mikel Arteta's side before being sent off as the visitors fought back to earn a deserved point
Arsenal carried a Champions League hangover into their Premier League clash at Liverpool, but showed they have the stomach for a fight in Sunday's 2-2 draw.
Wednesday's semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain took a lot out of the Gunners, both mentally and physically, and they looked weary from the off, despite Bukayo Saka having the first chance of the game as he poked wide after breaking the offside trap from a free-kick.
David Raya was called into action early – as he produced smart saves to deny Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones during an overworked first-half – and the Spanish goalkeeper was beaten with just 20 minutes on the clock as Cody Gakpo avoided a couple of questionable offside traps.
Liverpool’s second came less than 90 seconds after their first, with Arsenal’s defence left chasing shadows once more as Mohamed Salah carved them open and Diaz was teed up by Dominik Szoboszlai to slide into an empty net.
Gabriel Martinelli did, however, grab the Gunners a lifeline within two minutes of the second half getting underway, with the Brazilian glancing home a header from Leandro Trossard’s pinpoint cross. A fightback that appeared highly unlikely at the interval was completed in the 70th minute when Martin Odegaard let fly from distance, forcing Alisson into a save that saw the ball rebound kindly off the post and onto the diving head of Mikel Merino – who was played onside by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Spanish midfielder quickly went from hero to villain as, less than nine minutes after finding the target, a clumsy challenge resulted in a second caution and subsequent red card, which left Mikel Arteta's side to play out the closing stages with 10 men.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Anfield…
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David Raya (7/10):
The final outcome could have been worse had it not been for the Spanish shot-stopper, with his reflexes tested while missing out on another clean sheet in the Golden Glove race.
Ben White (5/10):
At fault for Liverpool’s first as Gakpo skipped away from him initially, before then playing the Dutch forward onside as he ghosted into space and broke the deadlock from close range.
William Saliba (6/10):
Always looked strong in one-on-one battles, but was troubled by balls over the top and was caught out of position far too often – with Diaz running away from him for Liverpool’s second.
Jakub Kiwior (5/10):
Another of those in the Arsenal backline that got pulled into positions that he never looked comfortable filling, with the Pole benefitting from Liverpool taking their foot off the gas.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10):
A testing outing for the promising full-back as he found himself being pushed backwards on a regular basis – with a booking for a grab at Salah further tarnishing his afternoon.
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Martin Odegaard (7/10):
Has faced plenty of questions regarding his contribution over recent weeks, but started to tick in the second half and it was his long-range strike that led to Arsenal’s equaliser – while he also came agonisingly close to snatching a dramatic winner.
Thomas Partey (5/10):
Willing to press high in a bid to force mistakes from the opposition, but looked a little cumbersome at times as energy levels began to sap in the middle of the park.
Mikel Merino (5/10):
Declan Rice was a big miss in midfield, and despite the Spaniard grabbing the equaliser, as he stooped to nod home, two clumsy tackles resulted in him being given his marching orders.
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Bukayo Saka (6/10):
Bobbled an early opportunity wide of the post, with balance and composure letting him down, and produced a couple of mazy runs that troubled Liverpool’s backline.
Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Interchanged with Martinelli, as Arsenal operated without a No.9, and provided the assist for the Gunners’ goal without ever really bursting into life and posing a sustained threat.
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):
Got his goal after switching with Trossard and moving into a striking berth, with a composed finish produced after drifting into space, and had a couple of other sights of the target.
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Kieran Tierney (5/10):
Charged with the task of seeing the game out after Arsenal were reduced to 10, with the Scot strengthening the Gunners’ defensive unit.
Riccardo Calafiori (5/10):
Another switch that was intended to shore Arsenal up at the back, with Arteta expecting a late onslaught from the hosts.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):
The third of three left-backs to be introduced off the bench, with the Ukrainian given little time in which to impact proceedings.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Cannot afford to see his side stumble over the line and got the reaction he was looking for after an inspired half-time team talk.