If Arsenal wanted to send a statement at Anfield they certainly did that as they came from two goals down to claim a point on Liverpool’s own patch. It means three of the last five league meetings between the sides have ended with this scoreline and it also means that the club end the season unbeaten against the conventional “Big Six” once again.
While Arsenal may have not won either of their last two matches, I cannot fault their effort in both games. The players, particularly in the second half against Liverpool and the first against PSG have given as much as they can.
We are only privy to so much information about the status of the squad and their readiness. Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber missed the match, the latter of whom travelled but was unable to play, and Mikel Arteta suggested after the match that others in the side typically would not have started and hinted it was a case of needs must.
“Psychologically what could happen is maybe it doesn’t happen and after 60, 70, 80, 90 minutes we die because we have players on that pitch today that shouldn’t be on that pitch,” he said. “I would understand it more but when I see that reaction and it’s there, when you need a certain amount of fire, that’s on me.”
Rice and Timber join an absentee list which includes Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu with Leandro Trossard appearing to suffer a hamstring injury toward the end of the game. Ethan Nwaneri did not come on raising questions as to whether he too is potentially suffering an issue perhaps after several weeks of diminished exposure.
It is clear that many others like Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli, who have all also had issues with injuries this season, are far from 100% fit. Yet despite a handful of minutes where things fell apart, they largely coped with a partying Liverpool side well.
That being said, Arteta was not in any mood for praise. He came into both his television interviews and post-match press conference determined to highlight his displeasure with what he had seen, particularly in the first half.
Asked what aspects of the game he thought was unacceptable he said: “A lot of parts, especially the defending standards that we had and the areas that after we gave the ball away, which is totally prohibited against this team, so very far off it, really upset. Yeah, we had a reaction, I hate reaction, I like action and especially we want to be there winning trophies.
“You want to be a moment that you win it or you don’t and when you don’t have to, you have to play another one that you have been working for nine months and that’s here today. And if you cannot win it, you have to be the best of the rest. And I was really, really upset.”
It is clear where this reaction frustration comes from… PSG. Arsenal did not start well against the French side at the Emirates Stadium just over a week ago and they paid for it.
They conceded early and that goal was in the end a difference maker. Arsenal were forced to react where against Real Madrid for example they acted and forced Los Blancos to react.
That said, Arteta’s lack of appreciation for his side’s comeback was somewhat puzzling. He argued that the comeback made it worse.
“I think it makes it worse because you miss half of the team again and we’ve done it for nine months. And you’re going to still, after two nil at Anfield, any other team will do what we play the way that we play,” Arteta said. “Come back, maybe should have won it and at the end maybe lose it again for something that was in our hands for sure and having to play for the sixth time in the season with ten men. So you want to really win it, the consistency level for 95 minutes and I don’t like to talk about the players that are not here and the excuses. Disappointed.”
Is this the right message to send to the players who have aided in the comeback? I am not so sure.
It has been a difficult week for Arteta and his comments in Paris after the elimination did nothing to help Arsenal’s profile. While 2-0 up, the Liverpool fans sung: “You’re having a laugh, you’re having a laugh, best team in Europe, you’re having a laugh.”
There were other aspects of the post-Liverpool press conference which did not land well, at all. But the larger context of this point is where the focus should be.
That point may have just secured Arsenal Champions League qualification next season. Yes, second place might be lost if they lose to Newcastle but having the trip to Southampton on the final day is a nice insurance to have – even if they shut out Manchester City.
Arsenal need this season to end. For the players, the fans and clearly Arteta.
A summer of positivity through proactive moves in the market and a chance for players to get a much-needed rest will be so valuable. The positive signs are there with work underway on a deal for Martin Zubimendi and some major contract renewals too.
But it will be that striker signing that will lift everything and the earlier that comes the sooner the mood can rise. Two games to go, and then we can look forward.
