Mikel Arteta felt that Arsenal’s performance in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool deserved a better result.
Dominik Szoboszlai pulled off a moment of brilliance with a stunning 30-yard free-kick to turn the game in Liverpool’s favour, despite Arsenal controlling the opening hour and forcing Alisson into several strong saves.
Mikel anticipated the match would hinge on a decisive moment, but it was the home side who delivered it, handing Arsenal their first away league defeat since November.
“We’re disappointed with the result, I think we deserved more,” he said. “I think the team showed a lot of good things throughout the game, a lot of dominance in a place where that is very, very difficult to do. I think we elevated the game to standards that were really high”.
“They did it for a period of 15-20 minutes in the second half and then there were no margins so the game was going to be decided whether with an individual error that didn’t happen, or with a magic moment”.
“Unfortunately they delivered through Szoboszlai taking an incredible free kick that gave them the game.”
A pivotal moment arrived just four minutes in when William Saliba was forced off with an injury, bringing on Cristhian Mosquera, who had only made his Arsenal debut as a late substitute against Leeds United the previous week.
Facing one of the league’s most dangerous attacks, the Spaniard impressed alongside Gabriel in defence, with the boss praising the 21-year-old while also crediting the squad for creating an environment that helps new players slot in seamlessly when called upon.
“To play your first game at Anfield when you’ve been thrown on after an injury to Saliba is very, very difficult, so it was phenomenal,” Mikel continued.
“I think you have to take that honesty and that personality as well to deliver that, and as we said, with the help of everything, I think he had a really good game.”
The international break arrives with Arsenal sitting on six points, six goals scored, and only a single superb strike conceded.
Mikel believes it’s a strong platform to build on as Arsenal prepare for a mix of league and European fixtures heading into autumn. He hopes to see injured players return soon and for fortunes to shift in that area, allowing the team to reach their full potential.
He said: “There’s a lot of positives and I think today the result should have been different, very different again. Unfortunately we’ve had a lot of injuries, so hopefully after the break we’re going to be in a better place”.
“The team is giving, I think, very, very quality signs, so we need to keep building on that.”
