Manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise Arsenal for their performance in a goalless draw with Liverpool in the first leg of Carabao Cup semi-finals on Thursday. The Spaniard is delighted with the ‘attitude and desire’ his players have shown against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Arsenal entered their clash with Liverpool on Thursday following a 0-1 defeat to Nottingham Forrest in Sunday’s FA Cup opener. The Gunners had a disappointing start to Jurgen Klopp’s side, as Granit Xhaka blushed in the 24th minute.
Liverpool dominated possession over Arsenal, but failed to create any clear scoring opportunities. Arteta was delighted with the ‘fight and commitment’ his side showed against Liverpool despite playing with ten men.
“When the red card happens, the situation can turn, because they just need a really good ten minutes to score two or three goals and then the game is over. But we showed a real fight. today and pledge to say, “I’m serious about defending, I’m not giving up, I believe we can do it,” said Arteta. talkSPORT.
“We’re not trying to find excuses. I always told them we can find excuses in any game, maybe even more in this context. And we didn’t. So, there are players who play in completely different positions. But when you have that attitude and that desire, in the end, good things happen. Emotionally, it’s important that you play things. what the game was like and today I think we did it very well.”
“When you play with that spirit and fight and brotherhood around the team, in the end you get the rewards and I think that’s what happened today.” 
💬 “When you play with that spirit and fight and brotherhood around the team, in the end you get the rewards and I think that’s what happened today.” @ m8arteta Reflecting on tonight’s performance
Arsenal will now turn their attention to Tottenham Hotspur, the team they face on Sunday in the Premier League. The Gunners will be sorely needed to beat their city rivals and continue their good form in the Premier League. Arteta’s team has won 4 of the last 5 matches.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are sitting in third place in the table. The Reds have won just two of their last five matches. Jurgen Klopp’s side face a tough test against Brentford on Sunday.
Arsenal’s impressive defensive performance against Liverpool underpins the rest of the campaign well
Arsenal had a goalless draw with Liverpool despite playing with ten men for more than an hour. However, the Gunners produced a memorable defensive performance, restricting the Reds from scoring for free with just one shot on target all night.
Arsenal have often been criticized for defensively uncertain and disorganized in recent years. However, they have defended quite well this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side have conceded 25 goals in 20 games this season. The Gunners have beaten Liverpool impressively, having scored 39 goals in 21 Premier League games this season.
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ArsenalLiverpool’s defensive performance against Liverpool should bolster their hopes of finishing the season high. Currently standing at 5th place in the table, although there is one match left, they seem quite good to return to the Champions League after a long absence.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-we-try-find-excuses-mikel-arteta-praises-arsenal-players-attitude-desire-0-0-draw-liverpool-despite-playing-10-men?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sportskeeda “We’re not trying to find excuses”
