LONDON (AFP) – Mikel Arteta insisted injury-hit Arsenal will fight back in the Premier League title race after admitting their lack of “courage” was the decisive factor in Sunday night’s pulsating 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
Arteta’s side twice squandered the lead as a blockbuster showdown at the Emirates Stadium climaxed with Mohamed Salah’s equaliser nine minutes from full-time.
The Gunners led through Bukayo Saka’s early opener and Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser was followed by Mikel Merino’s header on the stroke of half-time.
Arteta was left frustrated by Arsenal’s failure to turn their first half dominance into further goals, with their spluttering performance after the interval adding to his disappointment.
“The first half was total domination, the scoreline should have been bigger, but without giving anything away we conceded two goals. That is the disappointing thing,” Arteta said.
“We were better by far, but we didn’t do a couple of things better in the second half, that’s why we didn’t win. We didn’t have courage. I’m more disappointed and frustrated by that.”
Arteta conceded Arsenal’s defensive crisis was a significant factor in their second half malaise.
“Very proud of the team especially with the (injury) situation we are going through at the moment that you couldn’t imagine,” he said.
“It is what it is. We had to adapt to it and we will continue to adapt to that.”
After winning 11 of his first 12 games since arriving from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool boss Arne Slot was delighted to pass a major test of his team’s title credentials.
