That Mikel Merino's goal was ruled out late on for a Kai Havertz handball rubbed salt in the wounds but Mikel Arteta's mask finally slipped post-match as the Arsenal boss conceded that keeping pace with Liverpool was simply proving too difficult for the threadbare Gunners.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is no longer as content over his squad's depth, it seems, after a couple of high-profile injuries have left the Gunners looking light in places

Mikel Arteta has been told he made a ‘big mistake’ with injured Arsenal defender William Saliba. Saliba has been a key member of Arteta’s squad over the past three seasons, making over 100 appearances for the Gunners.