Mikel Arteta thinks Arsenal’s “chaotic” 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday was a “fair” result despite the fact his side were two goals to the good.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Gunners started the game at Anfield on the front foot and were two goals ahead after 28 minutes.
However, goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino meant the points would be shared.
The second half was all Liverpool, with Arsenal threatening in transition, and Arteta has described it as a “very intense game”.
“Wow. Very intense game,” the Spaniard told Sky Sports. “The game was under control but after that we concede a really sloppy goal and the game shifted momentum.
“We started well in the first few minutes [of the second half] but then lost control.
“It became a very transitional game, very chaotic. Liverpool could score three or four. It is true we could have scored two or three so maybe at the end the score is fair.
“I haven’t seen anyone do it [dominate] in this ground this season.
“They beat every big team here, they played Real Madrid and could have been four up after 20 minutes.
“They are going to have moments. You need to deal with them and we did. Our goalkeeper had a big part in that.
“We could taken three points. We should do that [play like the first half] for another 15 minutes and then the game would have taken a very different trajectory. We didn’t. We have to take the point.
“Move on. Convince them to keep playing like we did in the first 30 minutes.”
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Arteta added to BBC Sport: “I imagine for the outside world it was a great game to watch.
“We started really well. Just before half-time we conceded and we gave Liverpool some momentum.
“We lost control and started to give a lot of balls away. The game became open. We needed resilience, we needed our keeper in the last moment. I think a draw is a fair result.
“The crowd got going. The goal gave them some hope. At 2-0 we had the game in our hands. That was our chance to kill the game. Then we made a mistake. We had to show our resilience and our luck at times.”
Aaron Ramsdale pulled off several world-class saves late on to ensure Arsenal left Anfield with at least a point.
On Ramsdale, Arteta said: “He was superb again today. You need your goalkeeper at Anfield.
“It’s a shame after how we started. The big lesson is in the first half that they came here and played with that personality.”
Ramsdale says he believes it will be a “very good point” in the title race.
“Mixed emotions but over the next few days I think it will be a very good point,” the England goalkeeper said.
“We’ve been under pressure for 35 minutes and get a point away at Anfield. They’re a top side. It might be two points dropped but we could have dropped three.
“There’s no better game to play in than these games. At least my saves have helped us out.
“I thought we were excellent. For 50-60 minutes we were very good but we got unlocked by two goals.
“Now we have to go back in and build again. One point is a lot better than none.
“The manager will say that [to focus on the good aspects]. He’s hugely positive. We’ll digest it in the next few days.”
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