Mikel Arteta makes 'difficult' Liverpool admission and points to Anfield regret

Mikel Arteta has expressed pride at the “courage” his Arsenal side demonstrated in avoiding defeat at Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah equalised Gabriel’s early opener as the Premier League’s top two fought out a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday evening.

Arsenal lead the Reds by a point at the summit, but were fortunate not to lose with Liverpool twice hitting the woodwork in the second half and having strong claims for a first-half penalty waved away after Martin Odegaard handled inside the area.

And a delighted Arteta said: “It was an unbelievable game of football, one of the most intense and hectic I have witnessed in 20 years in this league. It was superb to watch. The boys had the courage to play at that level. I think my players deserve big credit.

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“I think the whole team were phenomenal. It is one of the best Liverpools I have seen this year. They made life really difficult and we handled it really well.

“A very different game to last season (when Arsenal drew 2-2 after leading 2-0). With the atmosphere in the stadium they created, it was something else. The maturity and the courage we showed, I think we should be very proud.

“At the end in the last 20 minutes the team was really dominant and we really wanted to get the three points. That’s the only regret after the game.”

Arsenal had to weather a storm at the start of the second half as Liverpool cranked up the pressure kicking towards the Kop. And Arteta said: “We give so many balls away after regaining it and they are really good on the counter-press. We lost it in areas and it could