How Arsenal’s dressing room is feeling after Liverpool as Bukayo Saka highlights game-changing moment

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Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has reacted to the Gunners’ deflating 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

Some will see the result as deflating due to where the draw leaves Arsenal in regard to the Premier League title race after nine games played. 

Mikel Arteta’s side now sit five points behind Manchester City and four behind Liverpool, which is not where the Spaniard would like to be. 

It’s not all doom and gloom for the Gunners, who showed they’re capable of matching Arne Slot’s side, with goals from Saka and Mikel Merino not quite enough on the day. 

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Bukayo Saka reacts to Arsenal draw vs Liverpool

Being ahead twice in the game, Arsenal will feel that in front of a home crowd, the chance to remain in touching distance to the summit was squandered against Liverpool.

The hosts first conceded to Virgil van Dijk’s header and were then handed a late suckerpunch courtesy of Mohamed Salah, who alongside Darwin Nunez, capitalised on some lacklustre defending.

The feeling from the game is more disappointment than relief from an Arsenal point of view, as captain on the day Saka explained post-match to Sky Sports. 

“We’re a bit disappointed. Credit to Liverpool, they are a good team, but we just feel that we didn’t show our best selves for the full 90 minutes,” Saka admitted.

The winger went on to pinpoint where things started to go wrong for the hosts, crediting the opposition for showing their physicality.

“First half we showed our quality, we dominated – they only scored from a set piece. Second half we sat back a bit and weren’t at our best.

“Liverpool started to win more duels, had more possession, and then naturally the momentum changed.”

Arteta will be disappointed to have seen his side have their leading positions pegged back twice, with both Saka and Merino receiving a reply from Liverpool.

Arsenal might regret early draws

After losing to Bournemouth last time out in the league, the clash with Liverpool was the perfect opportunity for the Gunners to bounce back.

While a draw against a very good Liverpool side wasn’t the worst result in the world, Arsenal might grow to regret their early mistakes this season. 

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Already, Arteta’s side have recorded three draws, which is alarming when considering that the North Londoners ended the 2023/24 campaign with only five.

Despite only losing once, Arsenal have lost some grip on the Premier League title race, with playing catch up with Manchester City and Liverpool not the easiest route to be crowned champions.