Virgil van Dijk has reflected positively on Liverpool’s point taken against Arsenal, but he insisted the Reds “will never be fully satisfied with a draw.”
A criticism that can be levelled at Arsenal on occasion is that they are unwilling to take risks and are too negative in their approach.
Of course, they won’t care when lifting the Premier League trophy come May, but it does impact how they are viewed by the outside world.
Something that has always been true of Liverpool is that they set out to win every match, an attitude Virgil van Dijk exemplifies.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In his pre-Barnsley programme notes, the captain wrote: “We will never be fully satisfied with a draw, even away from home against a top opponent.”
Despite not beating the Gunners even though they controlled the second half, Van Dijk thought the team “could take a lot of positives” from the 0-0 draw.
He added: “I think there are a lot of things we can reflect upon positively.
“The togetherness we showed, and the way we were able to defend as a team and then take control of the game in the second half, was very good, in my opinion, and represents the kind of spirit and mentality we need to show on a consistent basis going forward.
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“We will never be fully satisfied with a draw, even away from home against a top opponent.”
Virgil van Dijk
“It hasn’t been perfect, by any means, but we are now 10 games unbeaten, and that gives us something to build on, in what has so far been a very challenging season for us.
“We have shown recently that we are still very much together, fighting for everything.”
Conor Bradley injury “soured the evening for us all”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley receives treatment during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While there was plenty to build on from Liverpool’s performance against Arsenal, there was one big negative from the Emirates outing.
Conor Bradley suffered a season-ending injury as he damaged bones and ligaments in his left knee.
The right-back avoided an ACL rupture but will undergo surgery imminently.
The *Times*‘ Paul Joyce said “it is too early to assess the chances” the 22-year-old has of captaining Northern Ireland at the World Cup this summer, should they qualify via the play-offs.
Van Dijk reflected on the incident, which saw Arsenal‘s Gabriel Martinelli throw the ball at and shove the already-in-pain Bradley.
The injury suffered by Conor Bradley in the closing stages of the match soured the evening for us all,” said the Dutchman.
“I am sure you will all join me in wishing Conor a full and speedy recovery. We will be there for him every step of the way.”