24 December 2023 , 12:34
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Mikel Arteta felt his whole team played a part in the draw with Liverpool on Saturday, but the Arsenal boss still had time to heap particular praise on three of his star men.
Arteta's Arsenal took an early lead at Anfield through Gabriel, only for Mohamed Salah to equalise after the hosts saw penalty appeals rejected. Neither side found a winner, though, meaning Arsenal sit top of the table at Christmas with Liverpool second.
Gabriel and centre-back partner William Saliba has a big role to play in protecting the point, while Declan Rice pulled his weight in front of the pair as Arsenal's deepest-lying midfielder. After the game, Arteta was asked about the trio and made no secret of how he felt about their display.
"Those three were phenomenal but I think the whole team as well and how we step up to the level that they put today, is one of the best Liverpool’s I’ve seen this year," Arteta told reporters. "They made life really difficult. The game became really, really chaotic, the crowd provokes that as well but we handled the situation really well."
Both teams had spells on top, while 13 shots apiece points to a game which either side could have won. In the end, though, Arteta and opposite number Jurgen Klopp had to make do with a point apiece.
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"It was an unbelievable game of football, one of the most intense and hectic games that I have witnessed in 20 years in this league," Arteta said. "The quality, the intentions of both teams… It was superb to watch it and we as a team with the boys willing to play at that level, to have the courage to play at that level, the determination and belief to do what we’ve done here, I think my players deserve big, big credit."
Who was Arsenal's best performer against Liverpool? Have your say in the comments section
Declan Rice will face former club West Ham in Arsenal's next game (Getty Images)Arsenal's next match will come at home to West Ham on December 28, with Rice likely to start against the team he captained to Europa Conference League glory last season. The England international came off the bench when Arsenal took on West Ham in the Carabao Cup in November, with the Hammers claiming a 3-1 victory.
Kurt Zouma has replaced Rice as West Ham's skipper, and the Frenchman urged his team to produce another big performance after sealing back-to-back league wins with a victory over Manchester United. David Moyes ' team have picked up 16 points from their last seven games, though their one defeat came by a five-goal margin at Fulham
“It feels great because this was a great win against a good team and a clean sheet as well, which is important for us," Zouma said after the United game. "We keep grinding and we keep going now.
West Ham knocked Arsenal out of this season's Carabao Cup (Getty Images)“It was a very, very tough game for us, especially after the game we had this week but, defensively, I think we were very solid. It was a solid game from everyone and everyone gave his all and everyone was fighting because this period was tough.
“We got rewarded this time with the win and the forward players made the difference today with their quality. They were very clinical and the team is going well and hopefully we keep going that way.”