Van Dijk brilliantly questions Arsenal harm 'points' – “They solely had 2”

Quite a bit was manufactured from Arsenal‘s harm ‘points’ heading into the match in opposition to Liverpool, and Virgil van Dijk rightly questioned the rhetoric after the 2-2 draw.

Should you listened to Arsenal followers within the buildup to Sunday’s recreation, you’ll have assumed they confronted an harm disaster akin to what the Reds skilled initially of 2024.

They, the truth is, have been lacking simply two regulars as a consequence of harm (Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori) after Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber miraculously recovered to begin.

The Gunners have been lacking William Saliba as a consequence of suspension however the state of affairs was not as dire as some would lead you to consider, and Van Dijk was simply as puzzled when talking after the match.

When requested if Liverpool sensed the hosts’ mentality modified when Gabriel was pressured off to make it one other participant injured, Van Dijk was visibly taken again.

“One other participant injured?” the Reds’ captain questioned. “Nicely, I feel they solely had two accidents right now, isn’t it?

?? “One other participant injured? I feel they solely had two…”

Virgil van Dijk shares his ideas after Liverpool’s draw at Arsenal ? pic.twitter.com/kgjG0R80CS

— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2024

“Yeah [we’ve got our own]. So clearly they performed a really, very sturdy staff, and it’s a part of the sport. We have been clearly pushing, and I feel deservedly the rating equaliser.”

It’s bewildering how rapidly Arsenal‘s squad state of affairs snowballed, particularly contemplating Liverpool have been additionally with out two of their first-choice gamers in Alisson and Diogo Jota.

Nonetheless, the Gunners couldn’t cease Liverpool from equalising twice, and Van Dijk identified how time in possession led to enchancment from Arne Slot‘s facet after halftime.

“I feel we stored the ball a bit of bit longer,” Van Dijk defined. “I feel there was an issue, for my part, the primary half, we couldn’t preserve the ball lengthy sufficient.

“I feel it was a superb press from them, however I feel if we stored the ball longer, we may created a bit of bit extra momentum.

“Within the second half, we stored it longer and, clearly, we didn’t create a great deal of probabilities, however clearly we have been way more dominant and profitable the second balls and attempting and attempting.

“One level, we take it and we transfer now to the Carabao Cup.”