Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has pinpointed the key moment where his side should have 'killed' the game against Liverpool at Anfield. The Gunners found themselves 2-0 up inside 30 minutes following strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
The Premier League leaders were pegged back before half-time as Mohammed Salah scored from close range. The Egyptian winger missed a penalty kick after Diogo Jota was fouled in the box by Rob Holding during the second half.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was heavily criticised by Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane for his role in Liverpool's equaliser in the 87th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold - who was involved in a first half incident with Granit Xhaka - nutmegged Zinchenko before lofting the ball to Roberto Firmino to head home and equalise late in the game.
READ MORE: Man City star Joao Cancelo fires message to Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal suffer title race blow
Aaron Ramsdale had to be called upon numerous times to keep the Gunners in the game and avoid a worse result at Anfield. Following the 2-2 draw, Arteta highlighted the moment he felt his players had to 'kill' Liverpool in a 'super intense' match on Merseyside.
"A super intense match," the Arsenal boss said. "We started very well, dominated, took it where we wanted.
"Scored the first and took the game where we wanted and scored the second and that was the moment to kill the game. Just before half time we gave them hope.
"We conceded a goal and they generated belief in this special atmosphere and stadium," he added. "The second half was a very different story. Not the way we started because I think we started well first few minutes. But then we didn’t continue to play.
"We gave every ball away, especially in dangerous areas and allowed dangerous results and big transition moments against the best team in the world in doing that. When that happens its chaos, it’s a lot of balls in your box, it’s difficult to get out of those situations and then you have to suffer.
"We relied on big defensive moments where Aaron took a big part of it and they missed the penalty. Then we could have nicked the game, because we had three huge chances on the counter where they are overloaded or they are two against two but we missed that ruthlessness to take the game."
Liverpool should have won the game in the dying moments as Ibrahima Konate was denied a golden opportunity, with Ramsdale leaping to save Arsenal from dropping all three points. Arteta continued: "Looking at the two halves it’s probably a fair result.
"You have to take it. The big lesson is probably to play the way we did in the first half."
READ NEXT:
Who is Manchester City's game in-hand against after Arsenal Premier League title race turn
Man City star Joao Cancelo fires message to Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal suffer title race blow
William Saliba, Eddie Nketiah: Arsenal injury news and return dates after Liverpool clash
Xhaka revives Anfield, Arteta’s lesson and Ramsdale - Arsenal’s winners and losers at Liverpool
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, views and rumours from the Emirates Stadium
