Slot frustrated as Liverpool draw opens door for Arsenal | OneFootball

Arne Slot’s frustration grows as the Reds squander a chance to pull clear as Liverpool’s draw at Aston Villa hands Arsenal a title race lifeline.

Can Arsenal capitalise?

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Liverpool’s grip on the Premier League summit wobbled at Villa Park, as Arne Slot’s side squandered numerous chances in a frustrating 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

A result that should have extended their lead comfortably now leaves the door ajar for Arsenal, who sit eight points behind but with a game in hand and a crucial head-to-head still to come.

Slot’s frustration was evident post-match. “I am not happy with the 2-2, we created far more chances than them and created chances to win,” he admitted. “It matters where we are in the league table but the pressure is always on if you are Liverpool. We have all the ingredients to achieve success this season.”

The Reds, having survived an early scare when Marcus Rashford’s cross deflected in off Virgil van Dijk, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, found themselves ahead when Mohamed Salah finished off a Diogo Jota cut-back after a poor Villa giveaway.

But the defensive frailties that have plagued Liverpool all season resurfaced. A scrambled clearance from a Tyrone Mings header fell to Youri Tielemans, who rifled in the equaliser, before Ollie Watkins headed home a Lucas Digne cross just before halftime to send Villa Park into raptures.

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Liverpool clawed back a point when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s speculative effort took a wicked deflection off Mings, wrong-footing Emi Martínez. But they will feel they should have taken all three. Substitute Darwin Nunez, the embodiment of profligacy, fluffed a golden opportunity with his first touch, before spurning another gilt-edged chance minutes later.

For Arsenal, watching from a distance, the draw represents an opportunity.

Liverpool were fortunate to scrape past Wolves last time out, having also dropped points against Everton in the Merseyside Derby. While they remain league leaders, their next two fixtures – against Manchester City and Newcastle United – will define their campaign. Slip-ups in either match would offer Mikel Arteta’s side a chance to close the gap significantly.

Meanwhile, Arsenal face West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday at 3 p.m., knowing that a win would apply further pressure on Liverpool.

They remain without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel Jesus, all sidelined through injury, but with their destiny still in their own hands, Arteta’s men will look to seize the moment.