Two late goals, an own goal from Jakub Kiwior and a late Luiz Diaz strike, were enough to see Liverpool defeat Arsenal in an FA Cup fixture at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners, who missed a lot of chances to score, crumbled in the final 10 minutes of the game as the Polish defender put the ball in the back of his own net 10 minutes from time, while Liverpool completely sealed the game 5 minutes into stoppage time.
The result continues the poor run of form that has seen them win a single game in the last 7 fixtures in all competitions. The last time Arsenal won a game was the 2-0 victory over Brighton in the Premier League in December, and they have lost their last three games in all competitions.
Perhaps these figures and performances have forced Mikel Arteta to admit that his team needs to do better.
“Well, the performance was there, and the number of chances too. We just had to win the game, but we lost it, and we are not capitalizing. To win games, we need to capitalize. When you are better than the best team in Europe and, you generate that amount of chances… I have not seen a team do it against them like we have done it. It is not enough. The reality is, it is not enough. Listen [do I say] play worse than Liverpool, be worse, and we will win the game. When my team plays with this confidence, what can I do? I am still behind them 100%. It is what it is, and we have to continue to play the same way and be more efficient.” Arteta said.
Arsenal’s next game will be on January 20 against Crystal Palace, while Liverpool will face Fulham in an EFL cup clash on Wednesday.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu