After a turgid, stodgy goalless draw, Arsenal walked away with a degree towards Liverpool.
Neither facet deserved all three, in equity. Viktor Gyokeres, although… his lack of presence in entrance of aim is changing into a better drawback by the week for Mikel Arteta.
As rain swirled within the heavy winds, Arteta’s frustration grew and grew.
The sport was there for the taking, but his facet couldn’t penetrate this Liverpool crew to any nice impact.
Deliveries into the realm whistled previous gamers, notably within the first half, which ought to have been utilised higher.
Gyokeres was the primary wrongdoer for this, usually discovered nowhere close to a whizzing goal-bound cross.
Viktor Gyokeres’ lack of effectiveness was the key fear for Arsenal – he had eight touches
Gabriel Jesus solely got here on within the sixty fourth minute and nonetheless managed extra touches than him
Lots of the Gunners gamers appeared ponderous in making an attempt to progress the ball when within the closing third — and that value them within the second interval, the Reds getting on high by the tip.
But the unavoidable most important takeaway was the inefficacy of Gyokeres on Thursday evening.
He had simply eight touches, the fewest the Swede has had in an Arsenal match. In perspective, substitute Gabriel Jesus who got here on within the sixty fourth minute had 11 in 26 minutes.
That isn’t ok. Arteta, although, nonetheless one way or the other tried to deflect blame away from the striker.
He mentioned: ‘He was in nice positions generally and the ball did not arrive and as I mentioned, there was a state of affairs, the place usually we’ll the six yard field, and usually that is a aim.
‘You decide someone and also you rating a aim, and we did not do this. That is the factor right now.
‘We have now to enhance. Aside from the factor we did within the second half, it wasn’t most likely on the requirements that we’re used to.’
When requested if he suppose the ahead is getting higher, Arteta replied: ‘Sure.’
Mikel Arteta insisted his £64million man is getting higher, however he’s changing into an issue
It’s stubbornness, which could be arguably afforded when your crew is six factors clear on the high of the Premier League desk.
In actuality, though this was an opportunity for an additional three factors wasted, a degree isn’t any dangerous end result for Arsenal.
The three consecutive attracts in 2026 for Manchester Metropolis has opened up a wholesome hole on the high of the desk.
With league video games towards Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Leeds to return for the Gunners, they’re on observe to widen the crack additional.
So, to get too wrapped up on this particular end result from an Arsenal perspective could be blind to the broader outlook.
However going again to Gyokeres, the striker is more and more changing into an issue for Arteta.
He has been steadfast in his backing the £64million man. It’s time for him to point out simply why he was dropped at north London.
A draw just isn’t a foul end result for Arsenal and it prolonged their lead over Man Metropolis to 6 factors
Arteta usually eulogises about ‘our home’ that’s the Emirates Stadium.
His fixed efforts in press conferences to relay that message to followers of creating their stadium a fortress hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Whether or not it’s a reminder to them about attending to their seats properly earlier than kick-off — he’ll repeatedly state the time, too — or whipping these supporters up normally, Arteta doesn’t relent.
He mentioned on Wednesday: ‘They have been unbelievable once more this season and it makes such a distinction, we change into a distinct crew.
‘The extent of vitality, dedication, confidence, need that we will present in each motion is transmitted by them and we’d like them tomorrow in each ball.’
Forward of kick-off towards Liverpool, pink and white baggage have been positioned on seats to create a visible impact.
The ploy did improve the ambiance, elevating the decibel ranges a notch or two, together with a lightshow.
It’s these touches which do make a distinction, and Arteta deserves credit score for having the followers in thoughts.
Arteta deserves credit score for enhancing the ambiance on the Emirates and inspiring the followers to be with the crew
The luggage on seats have been a very good contact as a result of they have been additionally to encourage attendees to donate items for meals banks.
After the terrible poverty chants heard from some travelling Arsenal followers at Everton final month, this was wanted.
