Liverpool picked up their third win of the new Premier League season as they beat Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield.
The home side took the lead right before half-time through defender Joel Matip and in the second half, Mo Salah scored a brace to ensure that the Reds keep their winning run intact.
Before the match, a lot of people believed that Arsenal would start the match with an attacking mindset given that this fixture has seen so many goals in the past.
But the Arsenal manager sent out his players with a counter-attacking mindset which in the end did not bear any fruit. And speaking after the loss, Unai Emery has hinted how they ended up conceding 3 goals before the hour mark.
“For example, in the first half, we were very deep defensively because they used their two wingers and they were giving the ball close to our box,” the manager told in the post-match press conference.
“But we were thinking it could be an opportunity to play in the match with Pepe and Auba. Also, our moment was in the transition and they are two very strong players to do that.
“We made two or three chances to score and these were from moments when they were pushing in our box with a lot of crosses. It’s not all we wanted to do in the match because we wanted to keep the ball and keep possession better, but their pressing was very strong and we didn’t break their pressing of the ball as much as we wanted.
“But we had the possibility in the match to show our moment and to score and the result can be closer to us.
“They finished the first half 1-0 and in the second half, the key was the penalty. I think it was soft and I think usually it’s not enough for holding, but it was decided like that and we continued on our way.
“We opened more and they gave us more space to keep the ball and to keep possession for attacks against them – and in the transition, they are a very strong team. That’s how they scored their third goal.
“It was in this moment we needed to show something different, not frustration, not going down, and keep our moment in the match and hold our moment. It was a bad result but we are working for progress.
“I think we showed character and also the impact from Lucas Torreira with Alex Lacazette and Micki was good. Also some players today made one step ahead like Willock, and I also think it was a good match for Pepe and Matteo.
“Ceballos today struggled more than last week, but this is one more experience for him. We need to be realistic but also confident in each training and the next match. Now we need to show how we can be different with other teams.
“Really, I think now we have reduced the difference with Liverpool over the 90 minutes. We’ve reduced the difference from last year, but at the moment it’s not enough. I think we can be positive.”
