Mikel Arteta said the standards would have to be improved at Arsenal to virtually end their chances of finishing one of the top four in the Premier League after the Gunners lost 3–0 to Liverpool on Saturday. In contrast, Liverpool returned to contention to secure a place in the next season’s Champions League, one of their best performances of the season at the Emirates. Diogo Jota came off the bench to score twice Mohammed Salah’s 26th goal of the season as Jergen Klopp’s men closed within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea.
The manner of victory would be pleasing for Klopp as a scorer only as Liverpool prefer their old selves ahead of a trip to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday.
Arsenal are in European action on Thursday in the final eight of the Europa League against Slavia Prague.
And winning that competition is the best chance to end a four-year absence from the Champions League as Arteta’s men remain ninth in the top four points.
“Congratulations to Liverpool because they were exceptional today,” Arteta said.
“They can play at that level and we saw the difference between the two teams today when we play at that level. The margin is incredibly high.
“The standard for this football club should be very high.”
The Spaniard took responsibility for the defeat, but called his players to respond quickly to save their season in midwike.
“At the moment I’m in shock,” Arteta said. “Now there is a challenge and a challenge brings an opportunity.”
“If you represent a club like this then you have to stand in the next game and take it.”
A 5-2 loss to West Brom at home to Chelsea opened the door for Liverpool on Saturday to re-awaken their chances of a top four and they seized their opportunity.
“We look at Chelsea or whatever, because we don’t have to win our game, but our position is to lose the game as well as other teams,” Klopp said.
“We have to keep working, but it’s a good sign. We’re still there. The package was great tonight.”
On Friday, Klopp expressed his astonishment that Trent Alexander-Arnold was removed from the England squad by Gareth Southgate and the right-back showed his international manager what he was missing by making the opener in 64 minutes.
Jota had only been on the field for three minutes when he met a powerful header from Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the back post.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold reappeared his class,” Klopp said.
“I said before, this is Gareth’s decision. He is blessed with the option he has chosen at that position, but Trent is in a good shape.”
Four minutes later, Salah wrapped up three points to Gabriel Maglesh as an Egyptian before a cold slotting down the front line Bern Leno.
This season has been attributed to the loss of center-backs Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as Liverpool’s leading cause at the bottom of the Premier League table.
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However, Jota’s absence for three months due to a knee injury between December and March also played a major role.
The Portuguese rebounded once again for his sixth goal in four matches for club and country and scored on a miserable night for the Gunners eight minutes from the end.
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