Mikel Merino made his first Premier League start this season as a replacement for Martin Odegaard in a reserved display that saw **Arsenal**lose 1-0. More injuries have struck down the squad on the road, and despite the defeat, the Spaniard saw a lot of positives from the players "in difficult circumstances."
‘I see the team going forward’
In a battle between the top two from the previous campaign, both outfits refused to take too many risks. But the moment of magic belonged to Dominik Szoboszlai with a free kick as the Reds took three points.
“We’re very disappointed today. Obviously, we wanted to win the three points here in a very tough stadium against a really good opponent. I think the team showed courage and character throughout the game, but in a set piece, in a magic moment, they scored, and they got the three points.”
Merino made clear that he is taking a glass-half-full approach to the first Premier League loss this term.
“I think there are lots of positives from today as well to look into the future. We know this league is a long one, so it's not going to be decided in the first five fixtures, so we’re looking forward.”
William Saliba suffered from ankle discomfort in less than five minutes, so Cristhian Mosquera filled in as a right central defender, excelling on his debut. In the second half, Eberechi Eze earned his first minutes for his new side, signaling the creative spark he can provide to the group from the left flank.
“Today we saw new guys coming on the pitch under difficult circumstances, for example, Mosquera after the injury. They managed to come in these circumstances and do it as well as they could have done.”
Arsenal have not awayat **Liverpool**since 2012, when Mikel Arteta was a player for the first team. That winless drought goes on another year, but the 29-year-old takes pride in the performance on the pitch.
“The whole team performed in a really good way, in a difficult stadium, with a lot of character. So disappointed for the loss, but lots of positives.”
The guests missed the moment to strike, but this easily could have been a fourth straight draw at Anfield.
“We're going to look back, see how dominant we were, how proud we have to be, even though we lost. We finished the first two or three games in good shape. I see the team going forward in the best way.”
Many of the Gunners get no rest as they now prepare to play for their nations in the international break.
“Unfortunately, this is how football is nowadays, you have no rest. You finish your first three fixtures and then you have to go with the national team.”
But part of the Spaniard is thinking about what comes next in the game against Nottingham Forest.
“Now it’s time to think about the national team, but a piece of you is thinking about when you come back and you can develop relationships with your teammates and start to gel. I’m very excited for the future.”