Mikel Arteta labels Arsenal's first-half performance against Liverpool as 'nowhere near the level' despite Premier League draw at Anfield
Updated 12/05/2025 at 08:44 GMT+1
Mikel Arteta insisted that Arsenal's first-half performance against Liverpool was "nowhere near" the required level. The Gunners conceded quick-fire goals to Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, but came back and levelled the scores after the break through Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino. Arsenal were playing the Premier League champions days after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League.
Arteta 'really upset' with Arsenal's first-half display in Liverpool draw
Video credit: SNTV
Mikel Arteta was critical of Arsenal's first-half performance against Liverpool at Anfield, despite The Gunners claiming a 2-2 draw.
Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz netted in quick succession to give Liverpool a 2-0 half-time lead, only for Arteta’s men to come back and level proceedings through Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino.
While the hard-fought point against the champions saw Arsenal edge closer to ensuring a top-five finish, Arteta told Sky Sports at full-time: "What we did in the first half, the first 20 minutes, was nowhere near the level. So to do it after, it's too late. We reacted great. But those 20 minutes were unacceptable.
"It's about action, not reaction.
"When you fight for trophies, you might win it or lose it, but then there's another one [match] and another one. So that's the level we have to assess ourselves. If not, you just accept things. For me, it is not acceptable.
"It's not about winning. Nobody can promise that you win. It's about doing the basics, the simple things where you can dominate."
On Arsenal's title hopes next season, and referencing Merino's red card, Arteta added: "For sure, don't play six times in a season with 10 men, because if that happens, we won't win it next season, for sure."
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‘We need to make it happen’ – Arteta admits Arsenal need to win a trophy ‘big time’
Video credit: SNTV
Martinelli: 'We have to think about Premier League'
Arsenal were playing Liverpool just days after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the semi-final stage by Paris Saint-Germain.
Yet Martinelli insisted that The Gunners were not ruing their European exit and were focused on finishing strongly in the Premier League.
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The Brazilian told Sky Sports, via the BBC: "It's never easy to come here and play against them after not a good result against PSG.
"We play for Arsenal and we have to go to every game to win. We came with that mentality. We didn't win the game but we did very well in the second half. We take the draw.
"We play for Arsenal, we can't give up. We talked about pride and we have everything in the second half and did well.
"It's hard to play against them. When the ball goes out, they like to play quick. We didn't pay much attention for the first goal. We could have done better in the first half. Really happy with the point and the effort.
"It's done, we know we lost against PSG, it's gone already. We have to think about the Premier League."
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