Arsenal and Liverpool served up a pre-Christmas treat on Friday night with a six-goal thriller.

The visitors looked to be cruising when Mo Salah added to Philippe Coutinho's first-half strike early in the second period.

But three goals in a remarkable five-minute spell turned the game on its head.

Alexis Sanchez halved Arsenal 's deficit with a header before Granit Xhaka's long-range effort was parried into the net by Simon Mignolet.

And Mesut Ozil completed a fine team move to put the home side in front.

But Liverpool were not dead and buried as Petr Cech failed to keep out Roberto Firmino's effort.

Here, we rate the players on both sides...

Roberto Firmino hits the leveller (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Arsenal

Cech 7

Arsenal’s hero in the first half as he made saves to keep them in the game.

Bellerin 6

He was exposed defensively but good forward and provided the cross for Sanchez.

Koscielny 5

What on earth has happened to Koscielny? Makes a huge error in every game.

Monreal 5

Took a heavy whack in the first half and went off at the break. Had been poor.

Maitland-Niles 4

Blame Wenger. What do you expect playing a young midfielder at full back? Mad.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles was a surprise starter (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Wilshere 7

If only other Arsenal players shared his passion and desire. Drove forward.

Xhaka 6

Had another awful game - and then suddenly scored a cracker.

Iwobi 6

Looked little boy lost on the pitch. Improved after the break.

Ozil 7

Tried hard, kept going and scored with a sensationally clever finish.

Mesut Ozil had fired Arsenal in front (
Image:
AFP)

Sanchez 7

Is so wasteful in possession, but then his header got Arsenal back in it.

Lacazette 6

The service to him was poor first half then linked up better after the break.

Substitutes

Shkodran Mustafi, for Monreal, 46, 6

Danny Welbeck, for Alex Iwobi 78, 6

Theo Walcott, for Alexis Sanchez 89

Liverpool

Mignolet 5

Had a stinker on Xhaka’s long range strike. He had to save it - but didn't.

Simon Mignolet endured a nightmare evening (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

Gomez 6

Got caught out badly on Sanchez’s goal, didn’t see him and was ball watching.

Lovren 6

Made a good block, distribution was poor. Got forward but that’s not his job.

Klavan 6

Comfortable on the ball, looked composed and in control bringing the ball out.

Robertson 7

Got so much space going forward down the left. He gave Arsenal huge problems.

Andrew Robertson impressed for Liverpool (
Image:
AFP)

Henderson 5

Limped off early with a hamstring injury. Milner did a solid job in his absence.

Can 6

Put his foot in, worked hard and ensured Liverpool kept their shape in midfield.

Mane 6

His pace was a nightmare for Arsenal but wasted a big chance. Good overall.

Coutinho 7

He looks great anywhere on the pitch, played deeper and made Liverpool tick.

Philippe Coutinho started the scoring in the first half (
Image:
REUTERS)

Salah 7

His pace terrorised Arsenal, he looked a menace in another terrific display.

Firmino 7

Could have had a hat-trick. His movement was great and got one in the end.

Substitutes

Milner (for Henderson, 13 mins), 7

Wijnaldum (for Mane, 80 mins)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Coutinho, 84 mins)