Mikel Arteta reveals why 'remarkable' Arsenal deserve credit despite missed opportunity in Liverpool draw | OneFootball

Gunners end the festive period six points clear at the top of the Premier League table

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Liverpool on Thursday

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Mikel Arteta insisted his Arsenal side deserve credit for their "remarkable" run over the festive period.

Arsenal failed to build any momentum in the second half in a match lacking in any real quality, particularly in attack.

"Yeah every time you don't win, but then we would have been 12, 15 or 20 points ahead," Arteta said.

"I have to really praise the players individually for what they've done in this Christmas period, because the demands on the schedule are unbelievable and what they've done is remarkable.

"So to come out of this period with all the issues that we had in the strong position that we are, I think the boys deserve my credit and everybody's recognition."

Gabriel missed a late chance to win the game for Arsenal

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Arsenal were the better side in the first half against Liverpool and regularly got in down the right with Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka.

The final ball was lacking and Viktor Gyokeres was unable to get on the end of those crosses. He managed only seven touches in just over an hour on the pitch.

"The movement was there, the arrival was there, the players were there," Arteta said.

"There are two or three that they come across and we need to occupy a space that we didn't occupy to score, but in many other locations the situation was there.

"Against Villa we were excellent at that and every time we do that, that's why you win those big matches and today we missed that.

"But with missing that at least we were so disciplined that we didn't concede absolutely anything to the champions."