Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards and ex-Manchester United duo Gary Neville and Roy Keane have all agreed that Arsenal gained a valuable point at Liverpool on Sunday.
At one stage, the Gunners looked likely to run away with the match at Anfield after Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus gave them a 2-0 advantage before the half hour mark. Mohammed Salah pulled his side back into the game three minutes before the interval with a close range effort.
On 54 minutes, Salah had the chance to bring his team level but his penalty went wide of the post. Liverpool were not deterred though and kept pushing for the equaliser which eventually came in the 87th minute thanks to Roberto Firmino's header.
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Salah and Ibrahima Konate would be denied superbly by Aaron Ramsdale in stoppage time as the North London team held on for a point. The result leaves City six points behind Arsenal, with a game in hand and some fans of the leaders think that the Blues are now in the driving seat for the title.
Discussing the result post-match, all three of Sky Sports' pundits agreed that Arsenal will not look back at the draw as a missed opportunity. Richards began: "It’s going to the wire.
"A lot of people were saying if Arsenal don’t win today Man City is gonna win it but there’s so many games left. If you look at Arsenal in that first half and what they produced, you don’t want to bet against them.
"They’ve got a different mentality now, they’re seeing out games. If we’re talking about the Arsenal of old they might have lost today, but they hung on, Ramsdale with some vital, vital saves, and the Arsenal-City game is going to be massive now."
Keane then added: "I don’t like saying it too much obviously having played for United but there is something bizarre, particularly when you’re defending and the last 15-20 minutes you’re hanging in there, Liverpool are playing into the Kop, it is extremely difficult, let me tell you. The energy that’s in the stadium, obviously the history of the club, it is very, very difficult.
"That’s why I think Arsenal should be really delighted with a point, I really do. I know people will be saying look at the bigger picture and City are in control of it, I think it’s a great point for Arsenal.
"I know they were 2-0 up and you could say they were very, very comfortable, but the last 15-20 minutes when you’re hanging in there against Liverpool in front of the Kop you’ve got to be grateful for what you get out of the place, and if that is a point - be thankful for it."
Neville would go on to agree with his former teammate's assessment of playing at Anfield.
"You take your point and get out of here," he said. "The 99’ season when we won the treble, we were 2-1 up and I think Paul Ince scored late on to go 2-2, this place is just a little bit crazy, it’s just a little bit different.
"They never give up and Mikel Arteta will know that. Get your point and run."
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