Arsenal clawed their way back to a 2-2 draw at Anfield, but manager Mikel Arteta left Merseyside seething rather than satisfied.
Despite avoiding a fourth consecutive loss, the Spaniard made no effort to hide his fury, calling out his team’s performance as far below expectations.
The match began with Liverpool fans mocking Arteta’s earlier claim that Arsenal were the best team in Europe. Just 30 minutes into the game, the chorus of “Best team in Europe, you’re having a laugh” echoed from the Kop after Arsenal conceded twice in quick succession. At that point, a heavy defeat seemed on the cards.
But Arsenal found their footing, launching a spirited response that ultimately earned them a point. The draw, combined with their previous 2-2 result against Liverpool, keeps their hopes for Champions League qualification intact. Yet for Arteta, the result masked deeper concerns.
Speaking after the game, Arteta did not hold back. He criticised his players’ first-half showing, particularly the defensive lapses and careless mistakes that allowed Liverpool early control. “The way we played in the first half is simply not acceptable,” he said, visibly frustrated. “You cannot gift a team like Liverpool the ball and space. I was killing myself watching that. Yes, there was a reaction, but I want action.”
His comments struck a sharp contrast to the mood among Arsenal supporters, many of whom saw the draw as a sign of resilience. But for Arteta, resilience wasn’t enough. The comeback didn’t erase the careless errors or the early lack of intensity.
Adding to the sting was the atmosphere at Anfield. Liverpool fans, emboldened by their team’s position well above Arsenal in the table, taunted the visitors throughout. The match programme branded Liverpool “champions,” while fans reminded Arsenal how far off they are from that status.
Still, Arsenal did avoid defeat against one of the strongest teams in the league. And while Arteta was far from pleased, his harsh assessment may serve as a signal that the standards he expects remain sky-high, especially as Arsenal push for a Champions League spot.
In the end, Arteta’s anger overshadowed the result. The draw may prove important in the standings, but in the dressing room, the message was clear: playing catch-up is not good enough.