Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal were caught up by a “special” Anfield atmosphere as Liverpool dealt a blow to their title challenge.
Mikel Arteta applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on April 09, 2023
The Gunners had appeared on their way to a straightforward victory when goals inside the opening half-hour from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus put them in control in their Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
However, Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back for the Reds three minutes before break with substitute Roberto Firmino snatching a deserved leveller for the home side in the 87th minute.
Salah also missed a penalty with Arsenal indebted to a string of vital saves from goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to repel a stirring Liverpool comeback.
and asked if he had experienced many similar atmospheres, arteta said: “no. when you look back at what they’ve done to big teams, including this season, they’re an exceptional team. they’re very difficult to dominate for 90 minutes.
“They have moments where they shift the game and they create the momentum that they want. When they raise the level to that there are few teams that can keep up. You have some examples in the results this year again. Merit to them as well because they’re a really good team.”
Arteta added: “It was a super intense match. We started the game exceptionally well and dominated, scored a goal and continued to play the way we wanted to and scored again, and that was the moment to kill the game.
“Just before half-time we conceded a goal and Liverpool generated some belief. This is a special atmosphere and stadium and the second half was a very different story.
“We started really well in the first few minutes (after half-time) but then didn’t continue to play. We gave every ball away especially in dangerous areas and allowed dangerous results and big transition moments against the best team in the world in doing that. When that happens its chaos, it’s a lot of balls in your box, it’s difficult to get out of those situations and then you have to suffer.
“We relied on big defensive moments and they missed a penalty, but we could have won the game where he had three huge chances on the counter but were not ruthless enough.
“You need your goalkeeper if you want to win and be in a title race. Look at how many times Alisson has done for Liverpool what he has to do.
“But we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and say we should have done better. Looking at both halves, it was a fair result. We have to take it.”
The atmosphere inside Anfield changed shortly before Salah’s goal after Granit Xhaka was involved in an altercation with Trent Alexander-Arnold, with both players being booked.
But Arteta said: “I don’t know if that’s the case as we had a big chance after that. If you go 3-0 then the crowd doesn’t get excited, but after that they scored and everything changed.”
Arsenal are now only six points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit having played a game more, and still have to visit the Etihad.
Referee chiefs issue statement after linesman ‘elbowed’ Andy Robertson during Liverpool vs Arsenal
Liverpool players were left incensed at half-time of their match against Arsenal as tensions were running high with Andy Robertson accusing the linesman of “elbowing” him. Liverpool looked to be dead and buried inside the first half an hour with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus giving Arsenal a two-goal lead.
QBut the game quickly livened up after a coming together between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Granit Xhaka with the hosts using the increased atmosphere to raise their levels. Mohamed Salah halved the deficit just before the break with tackles soon flying in from both sets of players.
The referee’s whistle then brought an end to the first half with both players clearly still riled up as they walked off the pitch. But there was confusion when Liverpool players soon surrounded linesman Constantine Hatzidakis with referee Paul Tierney brandishing a yellow card.
Liverpool players were furious with Jordan Henderson leading the protests and it wasn’t immediately clear what happened until Jamie Carragher mentioned on commentary that the linesman had elbowed Robertson.
It wasn’t until Sky Sports showed replays of the incident that confirmed what Carragher had said with Hatzidakis seen raising his arm to Robertson’s face. Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves caught the aftermath of the incident down the tunnel.
The PGMOL have stated they are aware of the incident involving Constantine Hatzidakis and Andy Robertson and will review the matter once Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal has finished.
A statement from the organisation read: “PGMOL is aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at half-time during the Liverpool v Arsenal fixture at Anfield. We will review the matter in full once the game has concluded.”
Linesman Hatzidakis was heading towards referee Paul Tierney just after he had blown the half-time whistle, carrying the ball with him. Reds star Robertson approached Hatzidakis and appeared to grab the official as he walked across the pitch.
Linesman Hatzidakis was heading towards referee Paul Tierney just after he had blown the half-time whistle, carrying the ball with him. Reds star Robertson approached Hatzidakis and appeared to grab the official as he walked across the pitch.
Hatzidakis reacted angrily to that though and moved his arm back in what appeared to an elbow towards Robertson’s face. The Scotland captain was left furious, with Liverpool players surrounding the trio of match officials as they attempted to leave the pitch.
Robertson, Diogo Jota and Reds skipper Jordan Henderson remonstrated with Hatzidakis and Tierney as they left the pitch. The Liverpool left-back was then booked by Tierney, to the anger of Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Henderson and Jota.
Eventually, the four were led away by a member of Liverpool’s coaching staff. Liverpool legend and Sky co-commentator Jamie Carragher gave the first indication of what had happened, tweeting: “Linesman elbow on Robertson!”
According to Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves, Robertson was furious as he headed down the tunnel. He claimed the Scot said: “he’s just elbowed me in the throat, the linesman has elbowed me in the throat.
While Robertson appeared to be the victim of the incident, Roy Keane blasted the Liverpool star at half-time. He accused the left-back of being a “big baby”.
“Do you know what? Does he grab the linesman first? I’m not sure, but Robertson is then complaining. He should be more worried about his defending. Do you know what he is, that Robertson?” Keane told Sky Sports.