Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure during his post-match interview as bemoaned his Arsenal players in the first-half of their draw at Liverpool as they conceded two quick goals
Mikel Arteta took aim at his Arsenal players following a below-par showing in the first-half of their draw with Liverpool in what was a spiky post-match interview. The Gunners produced an encouraging fightback at Anfield, coming from 2-0 down to claim a point.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino allowed the north London outfit to land a share of the spoils against the team who beat them to the Premier League title. But despite their show of resilience Arteta was fuming that they’d left themselves so much to do.
Arsenal were needing to respond following their Champions League exit on Wednesday night. The Gunners were beaten by PSG as their final hope of silverware was ended at the Parc des Princes.
They appeared to have something of a hangover in the opening stages at Anfield with Cody Gakpo nodding home a free header before Luis Diaz added a second shortly after to leave Arteta fuming.
He said: “What we did in the first half, the first 20 minutes was nowhere near the level. So to do it after, it’s too late. We reacted, great. But those 20 minutes were unacceptable. It’s about action, not reaction.”
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Arteta was quizzed on whether his players were struggling following their Champions League exit – but he dismissed that as an excuse. “Then you don’t have to be fighting for trophies,” said the Arsenal boss. “Because when you fight for trophies, you might win it or lose it, but then there’s another one [match] and another one. So that’s the level we have to assess ourselves. If not, you just accept things. For me, not acceptable.
“It’s not about winning. Nobody can promise that you win. They [Liverpool] cannot promise that you can do what they want and you go in the market. You have six or seven teams praying to be in the Champions League first, and then see if we can win silverware next season.”
The Spaniard, whose trophy drought dates back to the 2020 FA Cup, cut a frustrated figure for much of the interview with fans quick to clock. One said: “One of the strangest interviews I’ve ever seen, raging after a pretty good performance.” Another added: “He doesn’t like the interviewer. That’s for sure.” One went even further and claimed: “He embarrasses all Arsenal fans every time he opens his mouth.”
Arsenal are 15 points behind Liverpool, who were confirmed as champions a fortnight ago, with two games remaining. The Gunners still need to wrap up second spot with Manchester City capable of hunting them down.
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