Bukayo Saka reveals Arsenal dressing room reaction to Liverpool draw with telling comment

Bukayo Saka revealed that the Arsenal dressing room was left “disappointed” that they were not able to hold onto the three points, insisting that the Gunners “weren’t at our best” in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

The hosts led twice at the Emirates but were twice pegged back by Arne Slot’s side. They dropped very deep after injuries to Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, allowing Mohamed Salah to pounce with an 81st-minute equaliser.

Saka had bagged the first goal of the game despite entering the match as a doubt through injury, side-stepping Andy Robertson and firing into the roof of the net.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk pegged Arsenal back, meeting Luis Diaz’s flick-on from a corner to score from point-blank range. Mikel Merino then put the Gunners back in front just before half-time on his first Emirates start.

But after Gabriel and Timber left the pitch to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Kelly respectively, they sat back and soaked up pressure, only to be hit by Salah after Darwin Nunez’s set the Egyptian up following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s through bal.

When asked how the players were feeling having shared the points with their fellow title contenders, Saka told Sky Sports: “Disappointed, credit to Liverpool. We feel like we didn’t show our best selves for 45 minutes.

“First half we showed our qualities, gave them nothing and they scored from a set piece. I can’t think of another chance they had. Second half we weren’t at our best.

“They had more momentum, won more duels, kept more possession and naturally momentum goes to them and we have to defend.”

Gabriel and Timber joined Arsenal’s growing injury list, which includes captain Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and coupled with William Saliba’s suspension. But Saka was clear that their absences were no excuse for not taking all three points.

“He’s (Gabriel) a big player for us but it’s not an excuse,” the England winger added. “We have to adapt and do our best whoever is on the pitch.”

One positive for Saka was his incredible strike after just nine minutes. He became the youngest player to score 50 goals for the club, at the age of 23, eclipsing even Thierry Henry.

“I tried to keep the keeper guessing,” Saka explained as he talked through his goal. “I think it was a nice finish. I’m feeling good. I thought I could finish the game but (the) gaffer took me off.”