Mikel Arteta says his ‘team is alive’ and up for the title race after 2-2 draw with Liverpool | OneFootball

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool at The Emirates but even with a patched-up side they could and should have won the game.

Manager Arteta was of the same opinion and after the game he said: “I’m very disappointed that we haven’t won the game today. I think we were better…. I told you three days before that we are going to be flying on Sunday and we started flying and were the better team by far. We needed to get the points today to make a reflection of where we are and where we want to be.”

Arsenal were ahead twice in the game courtesy of fit again Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino but were twice penned back by a resilient Liverpool side. The draw does mean that the Gunners are now five points behind Manchester City.

Arteta added: “You don’t want to be in that position. You want to be five points ahead. But this is where we are. The team is alive, the team wants it. I feel it every single day. The players that cannot play are upset, the ones getting injured are upset. The players that are there, they are in a good moment. Things will turn up and we will be in a better place.”

The game was disrupted by some controversial refereeing decisions, with Arsenal having a goal disallowed that on another day could have stood. Luis Diaz committed five fouls but was not booked.

Arsenal fans have felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions recently and they were of the same sentiment tonight, as was Arteta. When pressed on the officiating, he said: “I prefer not to comment.”

The Gunners should, though, take some comfort in the fact that they did not lose the game and are still very much in the title race. Their next league game is a tough test away to Newcastle.