Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta credited Liverpool with one of its ‘best performances’ this season as the two Premier League title rivals drew 1-1 at Anfield. The Gunners took an early lead as center-back Gabriel headed home a free-kick, but Mohamed Salah equalized for the Reds just before the half-hour.
Both teams would have opportunities to win the game, with Gabriel Martinelli firing wide as Alisson came out and Liverpool outfielders guarded the goal-line, and Trent Alexander-Arnold striking the post at the end of a second-half counterattack. In the end, it finished level, and Arsenal remained a point ahead at the top of the table heading into Christmas, with Liverpool and Aston Villa level behind after the latter’s draw with Sheffield United on Friday.
Speaking in his post-match interview, via Sky Sports journalist Melissa Reddy, Arteta marveled at what he called an ‘unbelievable’ game of football, calling it one of the best spectacles he’s seen at Anfield since he first came to English football in 2005, when he signed for cross-city rival Everton.
“It was an unbelievable game,” he said. “One of the most intense I’ve witnessed here in 20 years. To have the courage and belief to play like we did here, I think our players deserve big, big credit… It was one of the best performances I’ve seen from Liverpool this year.”
