Arsenal is alive in the title race - Mikel Arteta after the 2-2 draw against Liverpool

Arsenal draws 2-2 with Liverpool, missing chance to close in on Man City. Injuries and missed calls add to Arsenal's frustration in the title race.

Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring a beauty against Liverpool on his return from injury. The game ended 2-2. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Arsenal settled for a draw at the Emirates against Liverpool on Sunday, but the Gunners would rue a great opportunity to get closer to Manchester City on the Premier League log.

The Champions labored to a 1-0 win over Southampton on Sunday, a result that put them above everyone else on the log. However, a win for Liverpool at the Emirates would have taken Arne Slot's side back to the top, but Arsenal denied them that opportunity.

Ben White filled in at right center half for the injured William Saliba, while Thomas Partey completed the back four. Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Jurien Timber were all injury doubts.

Liverpool fell behind as early as the 9^th minute when Saka sent Andy Robertson on an errand before rifling past Caohmin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal. It was Saka’s 50^th Premier League goal, making him the youngest Arsenal player ever to do so.

Liverpool levelled from a corner kick not long after, with Van Dijk reacting quickest to a Luiz Diaz’ flick off Alexander Arnold’s whip. The second half ended with the Gunners on top, and they deservedly got their lead restored just before halftime, with Mikel Merino heading home his first Arsenal goal.

Disaster struck in the second half for the Gunners; Gabrial Maghalaes fell to the turf and was replaced by Jacob Kiwior. Timber ran his races and was replaced by youngster Lewis Myles Skelly. It was then Liverpool got their chance to level.

Mohammed Salah moved brilliantly to latch on to a Darwin Nunez pass to restore parity, but Arsenal would feel hard done by the referee whistle, which denied them a chance to win it at the death when Gabriel Jesus bundled in, but the referee spotted an infringement before the ball went in.

The result left Arsenal five points off Manchester City, and Mikel Arteta has said the Gunners are still in the title race. "You don't want to be in that position. You want to be five points ahead, but this is where we are. The team is actively striving for success. I feel it every single day. The players that cannot play are upset that they are not playing.”

The individuals suffering injuries and those present are experiencing a positive moment. Things will unfold, and we will find ourselves in a more favorable position. But we are certainly there." I see the team, and I have no doubts. I believe I informed you three days prior that we would be flying on Sunday. Once we started flying, we proved to be the superior team by a significant margin.

"To reflect where we are and where we want to be, we needed to earn the points today." While we may not have achieved the desired outcome, we are confident that we are making progress. Arsenal’s next four fixtures are on the road with Newcastle at the weekend, but a cup game awaits in midweek.