It was never going to be easy, but this could prove to be a big result in the title race.
From 2-0 up and a potentially season-defining victory, Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip and some seeds of doubt may just have been sewn. Mikel Arteta’s men are still six points ahead of Manchester City - albeit Arsenal have played a game more - but to fight so hard, go so close and then succumb so late will be a bitter pill to swallow.
A draw at Anfield, no matter Liverpool's inconsistencies, is not a bad result in any season. But in the context of this title race and after going 2-0 up, it will have given City hope. Arsenal’s players slumped to the floor in despair after Roberto Firmino’s 87th minute equaliser in front of the Kop and you can bet City will rarely have been so happy to see Liverpool score.
And if it had not been for Aaron Ramsdale's wonder save from Ibrahima Konate in the 94th minute then it could have been even worse for the Gunners.
It was a terrific game, full of drama, anger and controversy but Arsenal do have a bad habit of pressing the self destruct button at Anfield.
This time, it was Granit Xhaka who needlessly got involved in a 42nd minute bust-up with Trent Alexander-Arnold which saw both players get booked, it only served to whip up the home fans and breathe new life into the stadium.
A minute later, Liverpool scored through Mo Salah, got themselves back into the contest before half time and, from then on, Arsenal spent much of the remainder of the game just clinging on.
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Arsenal had an incredible let-off when Salah missed a penalty but it felt almost inevitable the visitors would crack at some point because the pressure was so relentless.
Liverpool have got clear problems and a rebuild is coming but Jurgen Klopp can still summon up big performances from his players with the fans behind them.
That is why Arsenal were so impressive when they stormed ahead, taking a ninth minute lead in scrappy fashion. Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard led a break, the ball broke off Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel Martinelli poked home.
Arsenal made it 2-0 when Xhaka’s pass put in Martinelli on the left wing, the Brazil winger put over a cross to his fellow countryman and Gabriel Jesus headed home.
But from a position of complete control, Arsenal let it slip.
The Liverpool crowd got behind their team. Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota combined well on the left edge of the Arsenal box, Jordan Henderson steered the ball towards goal and Salah forced it home.
Now the mood had changed. Andy Robertson was involved in a bizarre incident with linesman Constantine Hatzidakis, who appeared to elbow the Liverpool full back who was duly booked as the players left the pitch at half time.
Rob Holding fouled Jota to concede a penalty which Salah put wide after 54 minutes. Ramsdale made save after save, making a terrific stop from Salah. Arsenal had their moments on the break but centre half Gabriel put a gilt edged chance straight at Liverpool keeper Alisson.
But eventually Arsenal’s resistance broke. Alexander-Arnold went past Oleksandr Zinchenko, stood up a cross to the back post and Firmino headed in. The roof came off Anfield.
Ramsdale made a sensational save deep into injury time. Arsenal wasted a great opening on the counter attack when Martinelli could have played in Saka.
But in the end, it was honours even. Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012. But no game has been as important since then.
Victory might have been the making of Arsenal’s title challenge. Now the challenge is to ensure the disappointment of a draw does not break it.
