Liverpool came into the game with a slight no-win situation, knowing that a victory against the Gunners would effectively hand Manchester United their record 19^th top division title. Arsenal, on the other hand, were in desperate need of a win to restore their season and their pride.

First Half

It was a cagey opening from the home side, with Andy Carroll finding space in the box after mis-communication between Laurent Koscielny and newly returned Johan Djourou. Fortunately for Arsenal, the England international just failed to nod the ball back into the penalty-spot melee.

Djourou again got lucky when Jack Wilshere impeded Andre Marriner’s vision as the Swiss defender came together with Jay Spearing in the box.

The combination of Carroll’s power and Luis Suarez’s creativity showed all the signs of unsettling the Arsenal back-line as Carroll was just caught offside when the Uruguayan looked to set him through with a ball over the top.

But with the home side’s attacking line-up – Abou Diaby making up a direct midfield three in place of Alex Song – they soon made the transition from counter-attack to controlled possession.

From then on, Liverpool posed absolutely no threat to Arsenal, leaving the Gunners free to play their football. They moved the ball around swiftly, spreading the play and rarely giving up possession.

However, as is so often the case with this side, they were unable to seriously hurt a strong and organised Liverpool defence. Even when Fabio Aurelio went off injured, leaving the away team with a 17 and 18 year-old at left and right-back, they defended stoutly.

Arsenal managed to come agonisingly close only once, and it didn’t come from a usual flowing move. An in-swinging corner from Robin van Persie left Pepe Reina in no-man’s-land as Koscielny headed against the bar, with a half-hearted penalty shout from the rebound proving unfruitful.

It was becoming increasingly tough for Arsenal and they were left with just half-chances and efforts from mid-range.

Theo Walcott brought a fumble out of the Liverpool goalkeeper with a swerving drive from near the angle of the box but no one in red could capitalise on his mistake.

Other chances were few and far between; Emmanuel Eboue slipped just as he was attempting a close-range shot. It deflected and bobbled away for Liverpool to clear.

The final move of the half ended with Samir Nasri trying a through ball for the ever-lively van Persie, which ran for a goalkick. It was a forced attempt from the Frenchman, and a frustrating first half for Arsenal.

A game of two-halves

The second period began tentatively; Arsenal’s back-four struggling to adjust to tactical change from Liverpool which saw Suarez take up a more central role behind Carroll. Suarez was finding space early on and the two Gunners centre-halves backed off too much as the nimble forward drove through the middle towards goal. Wojciech Szczesny watched the ball fly a yard or two wide but it was the first real sign of danger for Arsenal and their season.

The game had become far more end to end than the first half and Suarez broke free yet again as Djourou failed to turn quickly enough. The 2010 World Cup villain exploited the centre once more but couldn’t test the Arsenal keeper with anything more than a tame left foot strike.

Then came a serious knock to the pace of the game, and a serious knock to the head of Jamie Carragher. He clashed heads with a teammate and immediately appeared to be in a state of unconsciousness. After a long spell of treatment, Carragher was taken down the tunnel for a precautionary X-Ray and replaced by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

The game resumed and things were getting stretched, as was the time. Arsene Wenger reacted by introducing Nicklas Bendtner and the Liverpool specialist, Andrey Arshavin. Samir Nasri dropped into midfield as the fatigue-struck Wilshere left the field.

Straight away Arshavin found his feet, and stayed on them as Ray Wilkins would like to point out in the Sky commentary box.

The Russian probed at the make-shift Liverpool back-line, their defenders clearly fearing the worst from his right foot.

However, Arsenal’s biggest chance of the game came through Robin van Persie. A brilliant flick from Nasri led the Dutchman through on goal but Reina pulled off a hugely important reaction save to keep out van Persie’s left foot shot. The rebound bounced through for Nicklas Bendtner, who struck it goalwards but couldn’t find the necessary power and the Spaniard in goal saved comfortably.

At the other end Arsenal were looking ever the more vulnerable. Eboue was too eager to get forward and was caught out of position all too often. Koscielny and Gael Clichy were lacking communication and allowing too much space down the left, whilst Diaby was tiring and ineffective in defensive areas. Wenger brought on Alex Song and for a time it did the trick. Neat and tidy in possession and fresh enough to aid the defence, he helped restore Arsenal’s dominance.

Then came the moment. The moment all Arsenal fans were waiting for; the breakthrough. Deep into stoppage time Fabregas stole into the area and won Arsenal one of those last-minute penalties he so often scores. This time it was van Persie who stepped up. It was heart in mouth time until he sent Reina the wrong way and scored one of the most vital goals of the season.

For the time being, Arsenal’s title challenge was not over, but neither was the match.

Liverpool broke up the other end of the field and just millimetres separated them from a penalty of their own as Song fouled on the edge of the area. It was nerve-wracking to watch as it took an age for the wall to get lined up, Suarez just waiting for his time to pounce.

All Arsenal had to do was hope, hope that Suarez missed. And so he did. He cannoned the ball straight at a wall which would have been made of brick had Arsenal had the choice.

The job was done, the ball flung away towards the left of the area with Eboue giving Lucas no room to turn. But the ever-frustrating right-back gave him too little room and seconds before Andre Marriner would blow the whistle, Eboue bundled the Brazilian down in the box. This time, Liverpool were awarded their penalty and awarded their goal as Dirk Kuyt put the ball just out of Szczesny’s reach.

The whistle blew again straight away and this one was for full time, as the clock ticked comfortably past the 100 minute mark.

A game which had been billed as a must-win and the first of seven cup final equivalents for Arsenal had ended in a draw. No extra-time, no penalties (aside from the 4 minutes extra added time and two spot-kicks).

The game was over, and so may well be Arsenal’s season.