There had been plenty of drama throughout the Premier League by the time Sunday’s main event rolled around, but little could have prepared fans for the entertainment they were about to witness at the Emirates Stadium.
Title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool met in north London, with both sides hopeful of keeping pace with Manchester City after the reigning champions beat Southampton on Saturday.
The Gunners’ preparations for the game were disrupted by a raft of injury concerns, with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber doubtful to feature. However, both players pulled through in a big boost for Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal vs Liverpool.
Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber fit to start for the Gunners. Reds can make a statement with away victory.@goal pic.twitter.com/GSdfdqNCwv
— Sean Walsh (@SeanDZWalsh) October 27, 2024
Saka is fit and starting pic.twitter.com/EenwYuvdyT
— Leadaship (@Iy_Penda) October 27, 2024
There was also some early pushing and shoving involving Virgil van Dijk and Kai Havertz, with the pair performing a weird kind of long-limbed dance before referee Anthony Taylor blew in Arsenal’s favour.
Some sided with the Germany international, while others claimed he got as good as he gave in the interaction.
It’s a good job Van Dijk just kicked Havertz and didn’t do something outrageous like kick the ball away, or he may have been in real trouble. #AFC
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) October 27, 2024
If Saliba did what van Dijk just did to Havertz, the FA would plant PEDs on him and ban him from English football for life.
— (Sham) (@Shamsdale) October 27, 2024
So Van Dijk kicks Havertz twice with his studs & ref doesn’t even show a yellow???
— Bhavs (@bhavss14) October 27, 2024
Once the kicking stopped, Saka marked his return in the ninth minute, sending Andy Robertson spinning as he collected Ben White’s pass and smashed in at the near post.
The strike also brought up 50 Arsenal goals in the Premier League for the 23-year-old, making him the youngest Gunner to achieve that feat.
Bukayo Saka has now scored 50 goals in the Premier League!@Oracle pic.twitter.com/VYGRbcdEvx
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 27, 2024
Saka is a genius. He is a genius. He is a genius who perfects every impact action from literally 0 to 100 in a few months.
He is a monster who evolves and evolves and evolves and eventually surpasses all the so-called gifted kids.
— AI (@nonewthing) October 27, 2024
Bukayo Saka is the youngest ever player to score 50 Premier League goals for Arsenal.
23 years and 52 days old. pic.twitter.com/jgotkXozAv
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 27, 2024
However, the advantage didn’t last long for the hosts. Instead, an awesome corner delivery from Trent Alexander-Arnold was flicked on by Luis Diaz and met by Van Dijk, who nodded in beyond David Raya.
That levelled the scores, leaving the title clash beautifully poised with most of the first half still to play.
SKIPPPPERRRRRRRR!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ZosyrKxji2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 27, 2024
Dangerous in the air
15 of Virgil van Dijk’s last 18 Premier League goals have come via his head #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/rnfIzwy4kv
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 27, 2024
Both captains on the scoresheet.
Every time Virgil van Dijk has scored in the league for Liverpool previously (16 games), they’ve won. pic.twitter.com/3UomqF5T6T
— 90min (@90min_Football) October 27, 2024
On the cusp of half-time, Arsenal bagged a 2-1 lead. Declan Rice swung in a free kick and Merino was waiting to power his header past Caoimhin Kelleher.
The video assistant referee check was long and arduous but eventually the goal was given, prompting mass cheers at the Emirates.
Arsenal restore their lead!
Rice’s free-kick is met by Merino, who powers home his first goal for the Gunners #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/NbqaT0WzGy
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 27, 2024
the broadcast camera cutting to the set piece coach. we are living in unprecedented times.
— Ashwin Raman (@AshwinRaman_) October 27, 2024
VAR was NOT introduced to have this much involvement in our game. It’s become absolutely absurd. #ARSLIV
— Marc Williams (@ichbinmarc_) October 27, 2024
There was a little bit of everything in the first half, with the second period having an awful lot to live up to.
