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Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 18
Dec 23, 2023 at 5.30pm UK
Anfield
Arsenal logo
Liverpool
1 - 1
Arsenal
Salah (29')
Endo (45+3'), Salah (84')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Magalhaes (4')
Saka (38'), Havertz (45+4'), Rice (49'), Nketiah (86'), White (90+1')

Mikel Arteta: 'Liverpool draw was one of the most intense games I have seen'

Mikel Arteta: 'Liverpool draw was one of the most intense games I have seen'
© Reuters
Mikel Arteta labels Arsenal's frenetic 1-1 Premier League draw with Liverpool at Anfield as one of the most "intense" and "hectic" games he has ever been involved in.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta labelled the Gunners' fiery 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday evening as one of the most "intense" and "hectic" football games he has ever been involved in.

Owing to Aston Villa's failure to beat Sheffield United on Friday evening, the North London giants travelled to Anfield clinging onto top spot in the Premier League table, one point above the Lions and third-placed Liverpool.

Not since Arteta's playing heyday had Arsenal won a Premier League fixture at Anfield, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla were on target in a 2-0 success in September 2012, and the Gunners had thrown away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 on the Reds' turf at the back end of last season.

Arteta's men were on course to end that hoodoo after just four minutes, as Gabriel Magalhaes peeled away from Ibrahima Konate and headed home from Martin Odegaard's inswinging free kick, making history with Arsenal's earliest-ever Premier League goal at Anfield.

The Gunners' lead was wiped out just before the half-hour mark, though, as Mohamed Salah beat Oleksandr Zinchenko far too easily on the right-hand side, cutting onto his favoured left foot and leaving David Raya with no chance as he fired home into the roof of the net.

Arsenal's Gabriel celebrates scoring against Liverpool on December 23, 2023© Reuters

Prior to Saturday's game, Klopp had criticised the Anfield crowd for failing to bring the atmosphere in their EFL Cup thrashing of West Ham United in midweek, but there was no shortage of emotion from the home faithful on Saturday, as the two title rivals served up a frenetic but evenly-matched 90 minutes.

Both sides were guilty of poor final balls in the end-to-end battle, but Arsenal survived a couple of heart-in-mouth moments, as Odegaard escaped giving away a penalty for handball while a five-on-one counter-attack ended with Trent Alexander-Arnold striking the bar from close range.

Seven yellow cards were also brandished over the course of the match - five of which went to Arsenal - and Arteta was amazed at the "unbelievable" quality shown by both teams throughout the contest.

"It was an unbelievable game of football, one of the most intense and hectic games that I have witnessed in 20 years in this league," the Spaniard told the media in his post-game press conference.

"The quality, the intentions of both teams... It was superb to watch it and we as a team with the boys willing to play at that level, to have the courage to play at that level, the determination and belief to do what we've done here, I think my players deserve big, big credit."

Arsenal's Kai Havertz in action with Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate on December 23, 2023© Reuters

Arsenal held out for a draw at Anfield last season without the services of William Saliba, who was named the Man of the Match for a steadfast showing alongside the equally impressive Gabriel in the heart of the Gunners defence.

Summer signing Declan Rice also produced another masterful midfield display to give Arsenal a much-needed measure of control in tough moments, and Arteta commended the trio for "phenomenal" performances.

"Those three were phenomenal but I think the whole team as well and how we step up to the level that they put today, is one of the best Liverpool's I've seen this year," Arteta added.

"They made life really difficult. The game became really, really chaotic, the crowd provokes that as well but we handled the situation really well. What they did today, in this stadium, in this atmosphere that they created as well was something else. The maturity and the courage that we showed, I think we should be really proud of our players."

Arsenal have four full days to recuperate from Saturday's energy-sapping contest before they welcome West Ham United to the Emirates for a London derby on Thursday evening.

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How you voted: Liverpool vs Arsenal

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45.2%
Draw
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Arsenal
32.7%
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Tables header RHS
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1Arsenal18124236162040
2Liverpool18116137162139
3Aston Villa18123338221639
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs18113437241336
5Manchester CityMan City17104340202034
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham189363130130
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1892736221429
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd189181823-528
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton187653431327
10Chelsea186482928122
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves186482330-722
12Bournemouth176472432-822
13Fulham186392631-521
14Brentford175482424019
15Crystal Palace184681826-818
16Everton188282322116
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1835101933-1414
18Luton TownLuton1733111832-1412
19Burnley1832131836-1811
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1823131344-319

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