Sunday, 21st December, 2014
Arsene Wenger is disappointed at his Arsenal side conceding from a set-piece in injury time to draw 2-2 away at Liverpool today, but believes the result was fair.
Arsenal started poorly and were instantly pegged back by Liverpool, who utterly dominated the first half. The Reds enjoyed more possession and goal chances, but could find no breakthrough.
It needed Philippe Coutinho to make room and drive the ball home in the 45th minute to put Liverpool ahead.
The lead did not last long though after Mathieu Debuchy headed home from a set-piece, beating Martin Skrtel in the air, in first half stoppage time.
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Liverpool continued to enjoy chances in the second half, but it was Arsenal who went ahead through Olivier Giroud in the 64th minute.
The Reds threw Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini on, but the latter saw himself sent off in injury time.
A twist awaited though and Martin Skrtel powered home a header from a corner, making it 2-2.
Wenger was left fuming on the touchline, with Arsenal having lost the chance to claim victory, and he queried why no defender jumped.
He told the BBC: "In the long stoppage time you have to survive two three corners and free-kicks.
"For their goal, we had plenty of defenders on the pitch.
"It's disappointing that we didn't even jump. You want everybody to be focused on the corner."
Overall though, the Frenchman will take the draw, commenting: "It was maybe a fair result, but we are disappointed to give a goal away with a free header from a corner. It was an intense game.
"We played a little bit with a handbrake in the first half. Liverpool played well. We lost the ball too quickly in the first half – when you are not used to something it was frustrating."
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