Hay Premier: Arsenal wastes a 0-2 against Liverpool and signs the tables (2-2)
After giving up a two-goal lead against Liverpool and wasting the chance to extend their Premier League lead, Arsenal were lucky to escape Anfield to a 2-2 draw after a thrilling encounter on Sunday.
However, the atmosphere in the locker room after Sunday’s drama was more of two points lost than one saved, the coach said. Mikel Arteta (40). “When you concede a goal at the end, you always lose two points,” he declared.
Arsenal tore apart Liverpool’s defense with relentless efficiency for most of the first half and looked poised to finally exorcise their Anfield demons with their first victory at the Merseyside stadium since 2012.
Instead, the draw spoiled what would have been the Gunners’ eighth successive win and a chance to move eight points away from second-placed Manchester City.
“Super intense match,” said Arteta. “We started very well, we scored the first and the second and that was the moment to kill the game. Before the break we gave them hope and generated belief. The second part was very different. We give away all the balls in dangerous areas and allow great moments of transition. Then we had to suffer.”
Arsenal went ahead 2-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli (21′) and Gabriel Jesus (26′), but the game changed course after a brawl between Granit Xhaka (30′) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (24′). ‘) that infuriated the public, already in a fervor.
Arsenal had lost their discipline and Mo Salah took advantage of it with a goal just before the break. With Liverpool pressing, Roberto Firmino equalized with a header in the 87th minute, bringing the delirious crowd to its feet.
Salah and Ibrahima Konate had brilliant chances in the final minutes. Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale parried Salah’s powerful shot, then struggled to knock the ball off the line as Konate tried to chest it in.
“We trust in the great defensive moments, in which Aaron played a great role,” said Arteta. “We lacked that sangfroid to take the game. It’s probably a fair result. The big lesson is to position ourselves as we did in the first half.”
Arsenal’s lead was cut to six points as City have one game less. The result sets up what should be an exciting game between the two at City’s home, at the Etihad, on April 26.
See the match summary on Flashscore.
