"We were the better team" - Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal deserved to win game against Liverpool after 2-2 draw

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that his side played better than Liverpool in the 2-2 Premier League draw on Sunday, October 27. The Spanish tactician was disappointed with the draw but proud of his players' performance.

Speaking to the media after the match, Arteta praised his side but was disappointed they could not see off the game after taking a 2-1 lead by half-time. He said (via the Gunners' official website):

"Yeah really disappointed we haven't won the game today, I think we were better but especially because in two things that we had to do a lot better we didn't and some other stuff obviously."

The Arsenal manager further claimed his side dominated the first half completely and should have taken a bigger lead. He added:

"I'm very proud of the team especially with the situation that we are going through at the moment, and probably cannot imagine. But overall I think, especially first half, it was a total domination, we were really, really good, really sharp, really efficient, really determined and the result should've been bigger.

"Without conceding anything, basically we gave two goals away which is the disappointing part. And the fact we couldn't see the game off, especially looking at ourselves, the two things that we didn't do particular well and obviously about other aspects."

Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the ninth minute before Virgil van Dijk equalized in the 18th minute. Mikel Merino gave the Gunners the lead again just before half-time. The match was heading towards a win for the home side at the Emirates, but Mohamed Salah made it 2-2 with less than 10 minutes left in the game.

Mikel Arteta on Arsenal being behind Liverpool and Manchester City in PL table

Mikel Arteta admitted that he did not want to be chasing Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title race. However, he is confident that his players will step up, saying:

"Well you don't want to be in that position, you want to be five points ahead but this is where we are, and again the team it's alive, the team wants it. I feel it every single day, the players that cannot play they are upset that they are not playing, the ones that get injured, the ones that are there in a good moment, things will turn up and we'll be in a better place but we are certainly there."

Third-placed Arsenal are now five points behind league leaders Manchester City and four behind second-placed Reds. The Gunners next face Newcastle United, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, respectively, in the Premier League.