Mikel Arteta hails Aaron Ramsdale’s goalkeeping heroics as Arsenal dig deep for draw against Liverpool at Anfield

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke to the press following his team’s spectacular 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, and was full of praise for his goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The Gunners stormed into an early lead at Anfield with Gabriel Martinelli sliding in the opener after just eight minutes. Gabriel Jesus doubled their advantage in the 28th minute but Mohamed Salah pulled one back for The Reds just before the break.

Salah missed a penalty midway through the second period, but second-half substitute Roberto Firmino struck in the 87th minute to equalise for Liverpool only smart goalkeeping prevented them from completing a famous comeback win.

Arteta first summed up the match.

He said: “It was a crazy game. We started really good. The first 40 minutes before they scored we controlled the game. After their goal the game changed a bit and we didn’t manage to keep the ball.”

He went on: “Super-intense match. We started very well, scored the first and the second and that was the moment to kill the game. Before half-time we gave them hope and they generated belief. The second half was a very different story. We gave every ball away in dangerous areas and allowed dangerous results and big transition moments. Then you have to suffer.

“We relied on big defensive moments where Aaron took a big part and they missed the penalty. We missed that ruthlessness to take the game. It’s probably a fair result. The big lesson is play the way we did in the first half.”

Granit Xhaka’s clash with Trent Alexander-Arnold shortly before Liverpool’s goal sparked a reaction from the Anfield crowd, and Arteta was asked whether his midfielder had invigorated the hosts.

Arteta was unconvinced.

“We had a big chance after that,” he said. “If we score 3-0 maybe the crowd doesn’t get up.”

Having seen his team lead 2-0 shortly before the break, Arteta was forced to confront the question of whether the draw was two points dropped or one point saved.

The Spaniard was unequivocal.

He said: “When you concede at the end it’s always two points dropped.”

Two points dropped could have been three but for the Ramsdale wonder-save in the dying seconds.

His manager was thankful.

“Aaron was very good,” Arteta said. “You need your goalkeeper in a title race. Look at what Alisson has done for Liverpool.”

He continued: “They created a lot of chances. Aaron was very good back there and saved us. Frustrated not to win but we have to take the point and move on.”