Mikel Arteta switch works against Liverpool to leave Arsenal close despite more setbacks | OneFootball

Gunners on the verge of securing Champions League football but Arsenal boss is running out of players

The second half, here, should ease those fears and this unexpected comeback will surely be enough to get Arsenal over the line.

The gap to Aston Villa in sixth is now five points, with Arsenal hosting Newcastle next week before travelling to Southampton on the final day of the season.

Given Arsenal’s goal difference is 26 better than Villa, a draw in either of those games should be enough to secure Champions League football for next season.

Arteta will, undoubtedly, still have eyes on finishing second - but he is quite frankly running out of players.

Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber both missed this game through injury, while Leandro Trossard was forced off towards the end holding his left hamstring.

Mikel Merino will also miss next week’s game with Newcastle due to suspension after being sent off for two yellow cards.

That was a sour end to Merino’s afternoon, which had looked like it would be a joyous one. The Spaniard had headed home Martin Odegaard’s saved effort to level the game in the 70th minute. Just nine minutes later, Merino was sent off.

Mikel Merino’s red card left Arsenal hanging on for a point

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The final period duly became more about survival for Arsenal and Liverpool were guilty of missing chances. Andy Robertson was especially guilty, somehow firing wide from a cross when the goal was gaping.

When Arne Slot’s side did finally get the ball in the net, with basically the final kick of the match, the referee came to Arsenal’s rescue as Ibrahima Konate was judged to have found Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The left-back did well for much of this game, keeping Mohamed Salah quiet and instead it was the other two players from Liverpool’s front-three that caused Arsenal problems.

Cody Gakpo put the Reds ahead after turning in Robertson’s cross, while Luis Diaz got the second a minute later.

For both goals, Arsenal looked leggy and off the pace - which was the best way to describe their whole first-half performance.

It is what made the turnaround after the break so surprising. Arsenal had looked dead and buried, more likely to conceded two more than score two of their own.

Gabriel Martinelli was at heart of the comeback, excelling as a No9. Trossard had led the line in the opening 45 minutes, but he struggled against Virgil van Dijk and Konate.

Martinelli had more joy and Arteta’s switch worked within two minutes as Martinelli headed home Trossard’s cross.

It continued the Brazilian’s brilliant form against Liverpool. He has now scored four goals and assisted two more in his last six Premier League games against them.

Martinelli has also kept his own remarkable record going in that he has never lost when getting on the scoresheet for Arsenal.

The run stands at 45 games after this draw at Anfield and the point it helped secure could turn out to be a precious one.

Arsenal are almost over the line after a season that has been full of setbacks.