Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal’s game plan at Anfield, insisting they were trying to win despite a narrow 1-0 loss to Liverpool. The Gunners’ only shot on target came in a tight contest, decided by Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning 83rd-minute free-kick.
“We didn’t do our game plan to frustrate them, we did it to win it,” Arteta said. “I think we elevated the game and the dominance to a point that they have to raise it, they did, especially from the 60th to 78th minute, when then you could see that there were no margins in the game.”
The Arsenal manager noted that with such a fine balance, the result often hinges on a single error or a moment of brilliance. “They created a moment that was incredible, that has won the game and that was the difference, nothing else,” he added.
Arteta selected a midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, leaving creative options like Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri and an injury-hit Martin Odegaard on the bench. When asked if the setup was too conservative, he defended his choices, citing Odegaard’s shoulder issue and Kai Havertz’s absence. “After the game, I think it’s too easy to say that,” he said.
