Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has expressed delight over the club’s 2-1 win over Premier League champions, Liverpool at the Emirate Stadium on Wednesday night.
The win pushed Arsenal back into contention for Europa League places after Tottenham Hotspurs recorded 3-1 win over Newcastle United earlier in the day at the St. James Park.
Arsenal, whose defense has been leaking in goals recently was solid against Liverpool after coming from behind to secure all-important three points to defeat Jurgen Klopp’s men for the first time since 2015.
Key Takeaways.
- Reiss Nelson is the fifth different player aged 20 or under to score for @Arsenal in the Premier League this season (along with Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli, and Willock) – the most of any team in the competition.
- Alexandre Lacazette is the first @Arsenal player to score and assist against the side starting the day top of the league since Thierry Henry vs Man Utd in January 2007. Statement.
- Liverpool has gone in behind at half-time despite scoring the opening goal for the first time since December 2016 vs West Ham; that game was also the last time they made two errors leading directly to a goal in the opening half. Shaken.
- Arsenal’s equalizer came following Virgil van Dijk’s first error leading to a goal in the Premier League since March 2019 (v Fulham), while it was also the Gunners’ first shot of the game.
- Sadio Mané has scored six goals against Arsenal in the Premier League, only against Crystal Palace (nine) does he have more in the competition. Authority.
Liverpool was punished by two mistakes from uncharacteristic errors by two of Liverpool’s most reliable performers. Alexandre Lacazette restored parity for the hosts after Sadio Mane had put the Reds ahead inside 20 minutes from Andrew Robertson’s cross.
The Frenchman took advantage of a dreadful back-pass by Virgil van Dijk to equalise before goalkeeper Alisson’s poor clearance gave Reiss Nelson the opportunity to score with a composed finish.
Despite several attacks in the second half, Arsenal’s defense was rock solid and Emiliano Martinez came to the party again denying Mohammed Salah from close range on two occasions.
The win takes Arsenal to 9th on the table, three points behind Wolves that is occupying the final Europa slot.
Mistakes part of football – Arteta
While noting that mistakes were part of football, Arteta, who was speaking at a press conference after the match lauded his team for forcing Liverpool to make mistakes that resulted into goals for them.
” It’s a team sport but there are a lot of individual moments and battles that have to be played. Today we forced mistakes and they made them. Obviously that makes the difference in a big game.
He also lauded the lads for withstanding Liverpool’s pressure despite their high pressing that gave them almost 74 percent possession in the second half.
“Unfortunately with the level of dominance, the way they control every aspect of the game, there are going to be little moments or big moments where you’re going to have to defend very close to your area and we knew that. We prepared for that and the boys were terrific. Sometimes we did it really well and sometimes we had moments of luck as well.
“No. I am really pleased. We have talked a lot about it. If you want to win these games at the moment, with the difference between the two teams, we need to put everything on the line to get the points. I am really pleased because they can do it. It’s about keeping the right spirit and level of attention and I’m delighted that we’ve done it today.”
Arsenal Vs Liverpool highlight
I̶ ̶a̶m̶ ̶g̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶-̶
Enough of that 😉
We can finally hear from the boss!
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 16, 2020
