Mikel Arteta points finger over Arsenal defeat to Liverpool and singles out four players

Mikel Arteta claimed that Arsenal lost to Liverpool because their opponents had an individual piece of magic in their locker, referring to an incredible free-kick by Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian struck a stunning effort from 32 yards that left David Raya with no chance in the 83rd minute.

Both sides were heading towards a draw, taking them both level with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, in what had been a drab affair before Szoboszlai stole the show with a goal worthy of the three points. And Arteta admitted that piece of brilliance was the sole difference between the two sides.

"I am very disappointed with the result," Arteta told Sky Sports. "I'm very proud of my players. Both [sets of] players had to dig in to a level where there was nothing between the two. It was going to be decided by an individual error or a moment of magic.

"You cannot dominate here for 90 minutes, it is impossible. At the end of the game, I said we have to find a way to win these big matches.

"You have to put the ball in the back of the net when you have it. We were much better than last year, much better. We have to put the ball in the back of the net if you want to win the game.

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The Spanish coach also pointed out that he was missing four key players through injury.

"We lost Martin [Odegaard], we lost Kai [Havertz] and then we lost Bukayo [Saka]," Arteta added. "In the warm up we lost [William] Saliba."

Liverpool boss Arne Slot echoed Arteta's sentiments, mocking Reds icon and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher, who complained that they were "too open" to begin the season.

"Listening to Jamie, he thought we were far too open against Bournemouth so we thought let's make it a boring game," Slot said. "On a more serious note, they took the risk of going one-versus-one, this was hard because they brought all the midfielders so close to the defence.

"Then in the second half we went one-versus-one but with Szoboszlai playing close and three midfielders. In the second half, we pressed really well, so for me, after 45 minutes, we got the upper hand. In the end we needed a moment of magic."

Arteta will be able to take some positives out of the match, namely Cristhian Mosquera's ability to step in for Saliba and the debut of Eberechi Eze.

"He's been with us for four or five days, that is all," Arteta added on Eze. "We fully believe in the players that played. You have to take a lot of positives from the game. I haven't seen Liverpool at home suffering like they did against us."