Liverpool hold Arsenal in blow to Premier League title bid
Arsenal blew a two-goal lead in a tense 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday, giving Manchester City renewed hope of winning the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta's men are six points ahead of City at the top of the table, but the defending champions now control their own destiny.
City have a game in hand and will host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium later this month.
Arsenal appeared to be cruising to an eighth consecutive league win after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
But Mohamed Salah scored just before halftime to spark a Liverpool comeback.
Salah missed a penalty in the second half before Roberto Firmino equalized three minutes from time.
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale salvaged a point for his side after Jurgen Klopp's men missed a series of chances to complete the comeback.
The game, however, will be remembered for a remarkable incident just after halftime, when assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis thrust an elbow into the face of Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.
Arsenal have not won an away league game against Liverpool since 2012, as they fell short of one of the major obstacles to the title despite a perfect start.
It took only eight minutes for the visitors to break through the Liverpool defense, and the ball fell kindly for Martinelli to prod past his Brazilian international teammate Alisson Becker.
Only a glaring miss by Jesus and a fine save by Alisson to deny Oleksandr Zinchenko kept Arsenal in the game after 15 minutes.
Virgil van Dijk's form slump has played a significant role in Liverpool's fall from a team that was on the verge of an unprecedented quadruple last season to mid-table mediocrity.
On 28 minutes, the Dutch center-back was caught off guard as Arsenal doubled their lead when Jesus was left unmarked to head in Martinelli's cross.
But signs of a young team vying for their first title emerged when Salah cut the deficit in half three minutes before halftime.
Jordan Henderson blazed another big chance over, and Liverpool could have been level by halftime.
But that was only the beginning of the drama, as Robertson was elbowed by assistant referee Hatzidakis as the players were leaving the field for halftime.
That incident fueled Liverpool's second-half charge, and they had a golden opportunity to level when Rob Holding brought down Diogo Jota, but Salah missed the penalty.
Salah almost made amends moments later when Ramsdale made a stunning save to keep his team ahead, and the England goalkeeper was called upon again nine minutes from time to save a one-on-one with Darwin Nunez.
Firmino finally put Liverpool's pressure to good use, heading home Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross to set up a thrilling finish.
Salah blazed over a glorious opportunity before Ramsdale made incredible saves from the Egyptian and Ibrahima Konate to ensure Arsenal escaped with a point.
However, Liverpool's rally may be too little, too late, both on the day and for their chances of playing in the Champions League next season.
Since a stunning 7-0 victory over Manchester United last month, the Reds have failed to win any of their five games.
Liverpool is still in eighth place, 12 points behind the top four.
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