Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal’s approach in their 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, claiming that the only difference between the two sides was cutting edge.
A stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai in the 83rd minute secured the champions all three points, an ominous early statement in the title race.
Chances at Anfield were few and far between, however, and Arsenal recorded just one attempt on target, leading to questions over Arteta’s game plan.
Indeed, pundit Jamie Carragher accused them of being too one-dimensional and of lacking ideas in open play, while Roy Keane described them as ‘robotic’.
But, delivering his verdict post-match, Arteta insisted it was simply the visitors’ failure to make the most of their openings that proved their undoing.
‘You have to put the ball in the back of the net when you have it,’ said Arteta. ‘We were much better than last year when we drew the game. Much, much better.
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal lacked cutting edge in their 1-0 defeat by Liverpool
A stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai proved the difference at Anfield
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‘No difference. And today, when we had three, four, five situations inside the box, 1v1, when [Eberechi Eze] is completely through, just to finish the action. We have to put those balls in the back of the net if you want to win the game.’
Arteta then stressed it was ‘impossible’ to dominate with the ball against an opponent capable of winning games through moments of magic, like Szoboszlai’s free-kick.
‘Well, I am very disappointed with the result but very proud of my players,’ he added. ‘I think both teams took the game to a level where there were no margins between the two and little happens. A lot of action in many areas, not much in the boxes.
‘And it was going to be decided in one of two actions: an individual error or a magic moment, and it was decided a magic moment.
‘You cannot dominate here 95 minutes. It is impossible and you’re going to go through those moments. You’re going to go through some moments where our keeper had the ball in his hands and we didn’t have a sequence afterwards.
‘But we navigated the game without conceding anything but, in the end again, you need to find a way to win these big matches and a lot of times, it’s individual magic moments that decide them. That was the case with an unbelievable free kick.’
Both Carragher and Keane believe Arteta would be wise to afford his players more creative freedom, despite their formidable defensive record.
Carragher said: ‘You bring [Martin] Zubimendi in, Eze’s come in. It’s only three games but the two away games that we’ve seen Arsenal this season, nothing has changed.
Szoboszlai’s bolt from the blue came toward the end of a game which lacked clear chances
Roy Keane was critical of Arteta’s game plan, saying his side were somewhat ‘robotic’
‘Heavily reliant on set-pieces, don’t create anything in open play and are the best team in Europe for me defensively.’
Manchester United great Keane was also critical. He added: ‘I think when they’ve got the defensive record that they have and they’re great at set-pieces, we’ve got to give Arsenal credit for that. If you’re just dependent on that all the time, and you come to Liverpool away.
‘It’s hard to score at Liverpool. Do something a little bit different.
‘Rice taking corners, they’re taking ages. You’re looking at Arsenal, do something off the cuff. Do something quickly. There was rushing towards the end when they were chasing a goal. Going forward they’re a bit robotic.
‘You have to find something else.’
