Arsenal’s title credentials were put to the test at Anfield, where the leaders blew a chance to win for the first time since 2012, but emerged almost unscathed from a 2-2 draw that opened the door for rivals Manchester City.

Granit Xhaka’s inexplicable decision to clatter into Trent Alexander-Arnold off the ball lit the fuse and turned what had been something of a procession into a fiery encounter after taking a comfortable 2-0 lead inside half an hour through Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

Mohamed Salah’s goal just before the break raised some concerns for Mikel Arteta’s side, and while they were fortunate that the Egypt international missed an early second-half penalty, Roberto Firmino’s late equalizer reduced Arsenal’s lead over City to six points despite having played one more game.

Read Also:Jesus Ends Goal Drought As Arsenal Keep Title Race Intact

The pressure appeared to be catching up with Arsenal as Salah, twice, and Ibrahima Konate all had late chances to snatch a winner, but they managed to escape with a vital point.

The most contentious, and frankly bizarre, incident occurred at halftime, with assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis’ apparent elbow on defender Andy Robertson as he complained to the official having already sparked an investigation from refereeing body PGMOL.

Arsenal had the game completely under control after coasting into a comfortable lead thanks to what has become increasingly common lax defending, only to start a scrap by needlessly antagonizing their opponents and the home crowd.

They should have learned their lesson from last season, when Arteta picked a fight with Jurgen Klopp on the touchline while the game was still goalless, leaving Anfield with his tail between his legs after a 4-0 thrashing.

Bukayo Saka, the only change from the previous weekend’s win over Leeds, charged at the defense, and when the ball bounced kindly off Virgil van Dijk, Martinelli fired into the net after only eight minutes.

Liverpool were relieved when Jesus ballooned over an open goal at the far post from a cross by Saka, who was causing problems for left-back Robertson, but their relief did not last long.

The Scotland captain was caught napping after winning a rare 50-50 to dispossess Saka and start the move from which he eventually dragged a shot wide, and Martinelli’s right-wing cross sailed over an out-of-position Van Dijk and onto the head of Jesus with Liverpool’s left-back slow to react.

Van Dijk was visibly shaken, and he received a rare booking for kicking out at Jesus as he skipped past him.

Liverpool were experimenting with Alexander-Arnold playing in a midfield role similar to that of John Stones in Manchester City’s win over them last weekend, but it was the right-clash back’s with Xhaka that elicited a response from the Reds.

Salah had poked wide on the angle with only Aaron Ramsdale to beat, but when Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota combined down the left, the Egyptian converted from close range at the far post thanks to Jordan Henderson’s touch.

Hatzidakis’ intermission altercation sparked an energised second-half performance from Liverpool, and Rob Holding fouled Jota just seven minutes in, only for Salah to push his penalty wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

Salah failed from the spot for the second time in a row, having previously failed with an equalizer attempt at Bournemouth last month.

Darwin Nunez was put through only for Ramsdale to save, but Firmino equalised with his 11th goal in 15 games against Arsenal, nodding home an Alexander-Arnold cross.

Salah then volleyed over before Ramsdale tipped the Egyptian’s curling shot around a post and then dived at Konate to keep him out.