Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has branded his team’s first-half performance in their 2-2 draw with Liverpool as “unacceptable,” despite a spirited second-half comeback at Anfield.
The Gunners fell behind early, conceding twice in quick succession — the first coming after a lapse in concentration allowed Liverpool to take a quick throw-in, leading to Andy Robertson crossing for Cody Gakpo to score with a header.
Although Arsenal responded strongly after the break with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino to salvage a point, Merino’s late red card for a second booking nearly cost them the draw.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Arteta did not hold back in his criticism: “What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level. Yes, we reacted — great — but it is unacceptable.”
In his post-match press conference, Arteta expanded on what went wrong: “A lot of things — especially our defensive standards and the errors we made after giving the ball away. That is totally prohibited against a team like Liverpool.”
He continued, “We were miles off it. I was really upset. Yes, we showed character, but I hate having to react. I prefer action from the start.”
Reflecting on the broader implications, Arteta emphasized the importance of consistency in a title race: “If you want to be champions, there’s a moment where you win it or you don’t. If you miss it, you start again. That moment was today — and we didn’t take it. If we can’t win the title, we must at least be the best of the rest. But today left me really, really disappointed.”
