Mikel Arteta was deeply unimpressed by Arsenal’s first-half performance at Anfield, despite his side salvaging a creditable draw against champions Liverpool.
The Gunners looked dead and buried after just 21 minutes when Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz scored in quick succession to put the hosts firmly in control.
However, the visitors mounted a spirited second-half fightback. Gabriel Martinelli headed home Leandro Trossard’s teasing cross two minutes after the restart, before Mikel Merino nodded in the equaliser after Alisson had saved from Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal played the final 11 minutes with 10 men following Merino’s second yellow card but still nearly snatched a winner in stoppage time, with Odegaard flashing a low shot just wide. Moments later, Andy Robertson thought he’d won it for Liverpool, only for his goal to be ruled out for a foul in a crowded box.
Despite entertaining the neutrals, Arteta pulled no punches in his post-game interview, telling _Sky Sports_ his players need to up their level if they want to compete for silverware next season.
“What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level, so to do it after is too late. We reacted, great, but the standards in those 20 minutes were unacceptable.
“When you fight for trophies, you might win it, you might lose it. Then there’s another one, and another one. And that’s it, so that’s the level that we have to ask of ourselves.
“It’s not acceptable in my opinion. Nobody can promise that you will win. You’re going to have six or seven teams that are praying to be in the Champions League next season.”
In truth, much of Arteta’s interview was mumbled and rambling, as if he were barely in control of his emotions. Quite what he told the players in the dressing room at half time and full time is anyone’s guess.
As things stand, Arsenal remain in second place, two points ahead of Newcastle, who visit the Emirates next weekend. Defeat against the Geordies would see the Gunners fall to third in the table and leave the Gunners requiring something from the final game of the season to secure Champions League qualification.
As for what he wants from his players next Sunday, he said: “The action that we had after those 25 minutes and especially the second half, that’s what I…not me, them, it’s not about me asking. It’s not about that.”