Mikel Arteta bemoaned Arsenal missing a "magic moment" after the Premier League leaders were held to a 0-0 draw by Liverpool.
The Gunners missed a chance to go eight points clear at the summit on Thursday, with Liverpool – the defending champions – frustrating their hosts at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal started well but never really tested Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, and it was Arne Slot's team who went closest to scoring when Conor Bradley hit the crossbar in the first half.
There were only 17 shots between both teams combined (nine for Arsenal and eight for Liverpool). The Gunners finished with 0.57 expected goals to the Reds' 0.36.
Arteta feels that a moment of real quality was missing, and pointed to the reverse fixture back in August – which was settled by a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick – as being a similar game.
He told Sky Sports: "We know that the margins are very small. I think we have two different halves.
"The first one, where we have a lot of domination, created big situations with players almost onside the six-yard box to pick a player up, and we didn't find the right pass to score the goal. And the second half was a bit more of a struggle.
"This game needs some magic moments, and at Anfield, Szoboszlai did it, and they won the game, and today it didn't happen, but you cannot win it, you cannot lose it.
"We have some moments where we have the right positional advantages to really hurt them, and then when we got into these areas, we lacked quality to pick the players.
"We've come from a very demanding schedule. The last six games that we've played in this Christmas period, and we've come out of that in a really strong position."
Arsenal failed to score in a Premier League game for the first time since losing to Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season.
The Gunners have now failed to win each of their last five Premier League games against Liverpool when facing them as league leaders (D4 L1), drawing all three to take place under Arteta.
This was the first 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League since August 2015.
vebablmrsy
0
You lack tactics, magic moment are created not wishing.
NorthLondon4ever
0
Lol...okay, assistant coach 🤣
If players play what they want, your logic should tell you they don't need a coach. This is common sense.
Nikechukwu
0
Players play according to instructions from the coach. That defensive approach? It was what the coach told them to do. Simple.
Lol...okay, assistant coach 🤣
NorthLondon4ever
0
Lol...have thought for a second that every blame should not fall on the manager? How sure are you Arteta instructed that, and still changed the front three? Your point is based on your emotions. We all want the best for the team but sometimes less pointing fingers at who to blame. Arteta doesn't hold a game pad, you saw he got a card for shouting at the line yet you blame him all the time. What about the players who weren't brave enough? Most time we Arsenal fans are the reason other fans look at us and curse, because we point fingers at ourselves too much.
Players play according to instructions from the coach. That defensive approach? It was what the coach told them to do. Simple.
JessBond
0
Liverpool was a better side. they dominated the game. despite the draw Liverpool was excellent
Nikechukwu
0
The point is that Arteta was satisfied with a draw. He clearly instructed those players to hold the game (which obviously didn't work), with Saliba holding the ball for so long. An extremely slow game with few cha ces. We played an overly careful pattern which made the game end the way it did. It's not about not being satisfied, it's about wanting the best for my team. You think you understand football, but times like this are when we cannot afford to approach games like this. We had the upper hand, many of their amazing players were absent and we couldn't capitalize on that. It was a disappointing game, no excuse.
Lol...have thought for a second that every blame should not fall on the manager? How sure are you Arteta instructed that, and still changed the front three? Your point is based on your emotions. We all want the best for the team but sometimes less pointing fingers at who to blame. Arteta doesn't hold a game pad, you saw he got a card for shouting at the line yet you blame him all the time. What about the players who weren't brave enough? Most time we Arsenal fans are the reason other fans look at us and curse, because we point fingers at ourselves too much.
retcistz
0
And Arsenal will not right ? 😂🤣
he didn't say that city is not as good as you people want to think neither is villa and Liverpool will be no where near the title at the end of the season..
retcistz
0
The point is that Arteta was satisfied with a draw. He clearly instructed those players to hold the game (which obviously didn't work), with Saliba holding the ball for so long. An extremely slow game with few cha ces. We played an overly careful pattern which made the game end the way it did. It's not about not being satisfied, it's about wanting the best for my team. You think you understand football, but times like this are when we cannot afford to approach games like this. We had the upper hand, many of their amazing players were absent and we couldn't capitalize on that. It was a disappointing game, no excuse.
so what Happened when they were loosing games without those amazing players as you put it
Vieaeklmtz
0
What was Arsenal defending for sure? Liverpool with no striker!
Aquila_King
1
There was no own goal
Feilds
0
City would still drop points Oga go and rest
And Arsenal will not right ? 😂🤣
pium
0
Both teams played safe game. What else you can expect?
NorthLondon4ever
0
lol...I'm in my 30s I'm not Gen Z. But I know better. Arteta changed his front 3 in that match, do you think he didn't want to win it? Did you even watch the first half? Liverpool obviously upped their game in the second, and football is 11 vs 11 mind you. If we lost you'll be the first to still criticise. To be honest, you fans are never certified, so I'm not surprised.
The point is that Arteta was satisfied with a draw. He clearly instructed those players to hold the game (which obviously didn't work), with Saliba holding the ball for so long. An extremely slow game with few cha ces. We played an overly careful pattern which made the game end the way it did. It's not about not being satisfied, it's about wanting the best for my team. You think you understand football, but times like this are when we cannot afford to approach games like this. We had the upper hand, many of their amazing players were absent and we couldn't capitalize on that. It was a disappointing game, no excuse.
Nikechukwu
0
Coming from someone who approach a game that was supposed to be offensive with a defensive mindset. Playing draw against a team that has no striker, whilst they controlled the game throughout. A shameful performance from us, no excuses.
lol...I'm in my 30s I'm not Gen Z. But I know better. Arteta changed his front 3 in that match, do you think he didn't want to win it? Did you even watch the first half? Liverpool obviously upped their game in the second, and football is 11 vs 11 mind you. If we lost you'll be the first to still criticise. To be honest, you fans are never certified, so I'm not surprised.
NorthLondon4ever
0
Lol...so when we won matches last season without a striker we were not exceptional, but because we drew with a team without a striker but complete defence we are shameful? You are not a fan, you have double Standards.
If you think our approach to that game was good, then you need to really think if you love this team at all. Gen z fans and saying whatever, lol.
NorthLondon4ever
0
Lol...so when we won matches last season without a striker we were not exceptional, but because we drew with a team without a striker but complete defence we are shameful? You are not a fan, you have double Standards.
Okay
Keyckmotz
0
Coming from someone who approach a game that was supposed to be offensive with a defensive mindset. Playing draw against a team that has no striker, whilst they controlled the game throughout. A shameful performance from us, no excuses.
U re right my bro I dnt just understand gyokeres Am his fan but am tired,His possessioning is Zero
Yawoozo
0
Make use of your strikers and stop depending on wingers aaah
truthisbitter
0
Arsenal fear Liverpool,built of athletic guys who can bruise you apart if needed!
teneiklmuy
1
Why he gives more chances to the player like one to one poor , ball from air is poor ball receve is poor , even with in 65 minutes only 8 touches .Gyokeres is nothing for Arsenal for me . Arsenal looked yesterday played with only 10 man.
Raubdlnosu
1
Beware , Be-warned !!! 😌
[image]
City would still drop points Oga go and rest
Nikechukwu
0
Coming from someone who approach a game that was supposed to be offensive with a defensive mindset. Playing draw against a team that has no striker, whilst they controlled the game throughout. A shameful performance from us, no excuses.
Lol...so when we won matches last season without a striker we were not exceptional, but because we drew with a team without a striker but complete defence we are shameful? You are not a fan, you have double Standards.
Vieaeklmtz
5
Liverpool knows how to play those big Matches...Haha
Liybeirs
3
where is 'a point to prove'? in fact, Liverpool proved that Arsenal was playing against the Champions, dixit Szhobo. Liverpool dominated 43 out of 45 mins in second half. YNWA.
Jamroxcj
3
Arsenal mek Fifth changes and LFC just mek One because of an injury…Ha Ha Ha..YNWA!!!
NorthLondon4ever
4
Coming from someone who approach a game that was supposed to be offensive with a defensive mindset. Playing draw against a team that has no striker, whilst they controlled the game throughout. A shameful performance from us, no excuses.
Feilds
2
Beware , Be-warned !!! 😌