Arsenal were yet again forced to settle for a draw at Anfield after conceding another late equaliser against Liverpool.
Last season Martin Skrtel rescued Liverpool late on and this time round it was the unlikely hero of substitute Joe Allen, who prevented Arsenal from snatching all three points in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Arsenal wasted the chance to extend their lead at the top but still sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, so is a point at Anfield a good or bad result for the Gunners?
Before the game I would've definitely taken a point all day long but, having also been just minutes away from a big win, I can't help but feel frustrated at the result and what might have been.
With an equally as tough away game coming up next against Stoke, it would've been far better to get maximum points from this one but when all is said and done a draw at Anfield isn't too bad. Obviously I wanted a better result but, despite all their injury problems, it was always going to be a tricky test away at Liverpool. We should've held on to our lead far better in the closing minutes. If you look at it as a stand-alone game the result isn't actually too bad, but let's just hope it doesn't cost us too much come May.
Liverpool made the brighter start and deservedly opened the scoring after just 10 minutes. Theo Walcott lost the ball, allowing Emre Can to unleash a shot at goal. Petr Cech managed to parry Can's effort away, but Firmino was on hand to fire home the rebound. At that point, I was genuinely concerned by the start we had made and about the possibility of Liverpool opening up the floodgates.
Fortunately Arsenal soon pegged their opponents back with an equaliser through Aaron Ramsey four minutes later. Joel Campbell, who looked lively throughout and had an impressive game, played a fine through ball to Ramsey and the Welsh midfielder beat Simon Mignolet at the near post.
Just five minutes after getting back into the game Arsenal were behind again, but there was not too much they could've done about Firmino's wonder strike. The Brazilian won the ball just outside the box, taking a touch before curling a delightful shot beyond Cech. It was a truly sublime strike by Firmino!
Arsenal nearly levelled soon after as Ramsey's lob was cleared off the line, but the Gunners made no mistake from the resulting corner after 25 minutes. Giroud got the slightest of touches to Ramsey's corner and it was enough to take the ball beyond Mignolet and into the net.
Giroud put in a solid man of the match performance for most of the game but did have a moment to forget before half-time when he missed a chance that looked easier to score. The French striker latched onto Ramsey's pass but was unable to make firm enough contact on the ball, allowing Liverpool time to clear the danger.
The scores were locked at 2-2 going in at the break and, although this was fairly frustrating, there was still plenty to play for and at least we had responded well to the early setback and not allowed Liverpool to run away with it.
Arsenal started the second half with renewed hope and almost took the lead within a minute of the restart. Campbell latched onto Mesut Ozil's cross but could only send his effort over the bar. Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno and Arsenal's Theo Walcott also sent shots off target in what continued to be a cracking match.
The visitors took the lead for the first time in the game as Giroud grabbed his second goal after 55 minutes. After receiving a loose ball Giroud span past his marker, in an almost Dennis Bergkamp-esque like manner, before firing a sublime curling shot beyond Mignolet and into the far corner. I have since seen a stat that that goal was Giroud's 11th goal in his last 11 away games! Wow!
Just as it looked like Arsenal might get the win, Allen made a decisive impact soon after coming on as the Liverpool midfielder got on the end of Christian Benteke's knockdown and fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Such a late leveller was initially hard to take as a 3-2 win at Anfield would've been huge and a big boost in the title race. On reflection, though, although the result is still frustrating I can accept a point away to Jurgen Klopp's men. But we will need to make sure we pick up an impressive points tally in the next two crucial league game against Stoke and Chelsea.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Liverpool fan Darren Warburton felt a draw was a fair result for both sides and thought the game itself was a great advert for the Premier League.
"Surely the game of the season to date," said Warburton. "The first half was thoroughly entertaining game, with Liverpool dominating the opening 10 minutes and Can in particular impressing with his energy and passing ability. A deserve lead was taken with a great finish from Firmino.
"Arsenal managed to score in their first attack with a neat finish from Ramsey. Mignolet probably should have done better at the near post. Liverpool responded well and again some great football and pressing opened up the opportunity for the second goal.
"Arsenal started to come back into the game, and it was really poor defending from the corner that allowed Arsenal to score the equaliser through Giroud.
"One of the misses of the season should have seen the Gunners take the lead, which would have been undeserved overall in the first half.
"The second half was more even, with Arsenal starting the better of the teams. Giroud scored with a brilliant turn and finish to make it 3-2.
"Liverpool responded well and Arsenal started to drop deep. Some good tactical changes by Klopp gave Liverpool a more direct threat. The subs worked with Benteke heading down to Allen, who finished well to give Liverpool a point in one of the most breathtaking games of the season.
"Overall a fair result and both teams were a credit to the Premiership."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
As said previously, I would've taken a point from this fixture before the game. But as this was the first in run of three very tough league games I had been hoping we could come away from Anfield with a win. Unfortunately it didn't happen!
Considering how poorly we started in the opening 10 minutes things could've been worse, so to still get a point from the game isn't all that bad, but we really must stop conceding annoying stoppage time goals at Liverpool, especially in a season where we seem to actually have a chance at the league title. Every single game matters so when you are winning a game with a few minutes to go, you would've thought the team had enough in the tank to see the game out. Fair play to Liverpool for getting a deserved equaliser but it still feels a bit like two points dropped.
Focus must now turn to the next game in what I believe is one of the toughest away games in the Premier League. Games at the Britannia are always tough and the upcoming clash at Stoke will be no different. With a home game against Chelsea to follow that we really need to make sure we are still top of the pile after these two games if we are to keep up a serious challenge for Premier League silverware.
It is still impossible to predict whether we can defy the odds to win the title or whether things will fade away in an all too familiar fashion but one thing is for sure - the next two games are crucial so we will have to be at our best. So hopefully the players can go out and prove to Stoke why Arsenal are the club we all love.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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