Arsenal Ratings: Merino too slowly in midfield and Martinelli blooms in new role

Arsenal fought back from two goals to secure a valuable point on Anfield.

Liverpool tore the side of Mikel Arteta apart in a sizzling first 20 minutes after the Gunners wasted early chances.

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But they showed their character to fight and they are now almost certain to get Champions League football.

Here is how Sunssport’s Alex Smith rated the Arsenal versions …

David Raya – 7

Liverpool ran Riot in the first half and easily cut out, it could have been three or four if it was not for two brilliant saves from Raya.

He kept the score in the way of the score of Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones. Turned out to be the springboard for the comeback of the Gunners.

Ben White – 4

Did not cover himself in glory for the opener of Cody Gakpo. Started too high on the field and never returned for the ball over the top.

Then eliminated and did not return to the right back position, completely caught by Liverpool’s rapid slaughter and Andy Robertson crossed Van Acres Space.

Does not look like the same player since returning injury.

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William Saliba – 5

Is switched off for the goal of Diaz and it turned out to be expensive.

Strange stopped following the Colombian, perhaps thinking that the ball was walking on to Raya. But Diaz didn’t stop moving and it was an easy tap-in for him.

Jakub Kiwior – 5

His days at Arsenal seem numbered and he was fine today.

Was caught the direct balls of Liverpool and a bit slow to respond to the goals, but his zipper was impressive.

Myles Lewis -Skelly – 6

Tidy on the ball as usual and has a real talent of winning mistakes when they are under pressure. Incredibly press resistant.

But the teenager has to work on his US one who defends if he wants to stay left-back. Booked for one of his classic panic errors on Salah – is beaten and then cynically drags back.

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Thomas Partey – 3

Was instructed to gain the ball high on the field again, which he did for him and Leandro Trossard both ran bizarre away from the ball.

The problem came when Liverpool played or went directly through the press of Arsenal – Partey did not have the speed or energy to return to the transition.

Have seen snails run faster. Consider by the midfield of Liverpool.

Mikel Merino – 3

Are we sure he is a midfielder and not a striker?

Not convincing and looked far too slowly in the middle of the park. Really struggled with the pace and intensity of the Liverpool team.

Dress the ball away on the edge of his own box and then committed a bad mistake in a panic. Correct red card.

Showed the instinct of his syruper to enter after Alisson had eliminated Martin Odegaard’s shot.

Martin Odegaard – 7

Tidy in possession with some nice details and he finally had a shot, which led to the equalizer of Arsenal.

Odegaard plays too often safely and sideways and it took until his team was 2-0 before he started playing the passes that we know he can play. Bad luck not to win with his late effort.

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Bukayo Saka – 6

His open goal Miss against PSG was perhaps still in his head when a huge opportunity fell on his way when the score was 0-0.

A special set piece by Nicolas Jover created the chance of Saka, where he grabbed and pulled painfully wide.

Not as sharp as usual, but always a threat when cutting on his left foot. Liverpool got away with exaggerated physical with him, bad luck not to win any more free kicks.

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Leandro Trossard – 5

Was lively. Always looking to get on the ball and make something happen. Nice cross for the header of Martinelli.

But is just not a striker and was only useful when drifting the typical NO9 position.

He takes way too many details and is ultimately full and surrounded by Liverpool players. Frustrating.

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Gabriel Martinelli – 7

Was on the score sheet and works incredibly hard. Looked better when they move centrally in the second half and made a few very nice runs.

Deserves a start in the middle to see what he can do, because he is not a title-winning winger because he does not beat his full-back.

Subs:

Riccardo Calafiori (for white, 78 minutes) – 6

Say in the final phase.

Kieran Tierney (for Trossard, 78 minutes) – 6

Good late tackle on Mo Salah.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Saka 88 minutes) – 6

Arteta needed a fifth player on the field who could play left back.