Arsenal intended to be attacking at Liverpool but still ‘deserved better’, claims Merino

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View image in fullscreenArsenal intended to be attacking at Liverpool but still ‘deserved better’, claims Merino

Visitors only had one shot on target at Anfield

We had to adapt based on the game, says Merino

Mikel Merino has insisted that Arsenal did not set out to be cautious in their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.



The midfielder said the team’s desire was always to attack but in the face of Liverpool’s threat on transitions, his side found the balance difficult to find.

Mikel Arteta was criticised for his selection, which saw him beef up in the middle with the inclusion of Merino in the No 10 role – Martin Ødegaard was fit enough only to be a substitute – and also start the new signing, Eberechi Eze, on the bench.

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The reaction was outcome-based.

The visiting manager wanted to push for the win in the closing stages.

“The mentality is always to go forward, to be attacking, to be aggressive, to try to dominate the game and create chances,” Merino said.

You have to adapt to it.

“Against teams like Liverpool … they are a big threat running.

So we wanted to attack and create chances but at the same time they wanted to be low, wait for us to make a mistake and run forward.

It’s tricky to try to attack, not make mistakes at the same time, and create chances.”

It was Arsenal’s first loss against a rival from the so-called “Big Six” in 23 matches and their first away defeat in the league in 16.