‘Ruthless’ Arsenal back in title race — Arteta
LONDON: Mikel Arteta hailed “ruthless” Arsenal’s crucial 3-1 win against Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday which helped the Gunners boost their title hopes.
Arteta’s second-placed side moved within two points of Liverpool thanks to a dynamic display at the Emirates Stadium and a helping hand from a mix-up between Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defender Virgil van Dijk.
After taking an early lead through Bukayo Saka, Arsenal were pegged back late in the first half by Gabriel Magalhaes’s own goal. But Liverpool gift-wrapped Arsenal’s victory after the break when Alisson raced off his line to deal with a long ball and completely missed his clearance, with Van Dijk also failing to react in time as Gabriel Martinelli slotted into the empty net.
Liverpool had Ibrahima Konate sent off in the closing stages before Leandro Trossard’s stoppage-time strike, which went through Alisson’s legs after deflecting off Van Dijk, sparked a wild celebration from Arteta.
Defeats against West Ham and Fulham in the league over Christmas, coupled with an FA Cup third-round loss to Liverpool, had raised the prospect of Arsenal falling apart.
But Arteta knows they have blown the title race wide open with their priceless three points.
“At the moment Liverpool are probably the best team in Europe and the levels they have, they are an incredible team.
“We have come so far and now it is about doing it consistently. Liverpool have done it for six to seven years.
“It gives us momentum and the way we have done it we are back on it. I’m really excited.”
Arteta admitted he knew how significant it was to beat Liverpool, who would have gone eight points clear of the Gunners with a victory.
“It was a huge game that was going to dictate where we are and where we’re going to be,” he said.
“What the players produced was phenomenal. Especially with the performance we had in the first half and the chances we created, the way we conceded was painful.
“Basically the message was there are going to be difficult moments and we had to navigate through them. Tonight we will enjoy it because we worked so hard to win it.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp refused to condemn Alisson for his part in the disastrous defeat.