Arsenal boss Arteta rues lack of ruthlessness in draw v Liverpool

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta bemoaned the Gunners' lack of ruthlessness as they surrendered a two-goal lead in a pulsating 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.

Arteta's men edge six points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, but the defending champions now have the destiny of the title in their own hands. City have a game in hand and host the Gunners at the Etihad later this month. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus appeared to have Arsenal cruising towards an eighth consecutive league win. But Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back before half-time to spark a Liverpool fightback. Salah missed a second-half penalty before Roberto Firmino headed in the equaliser three minutes from time. Jurgen Klopp's men then missed a series of chances to complete the comeback as Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale salvaged a point for his side.

"We missed that ruthlessness to take the game," said Arteta. "The big lesson is we didn't play the way we did the first half. We didn't continue to play. We gave every ball away, allowed big spaces and big transition moments to the best team in the world in this."

Also read: Bruno hails Chelsea after goalless draw against Liverpool

The match will also live long in the memory for a remarkable incident just after the half-time whistle when assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis thrust an elbow into the face of Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.

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