Mikel Arteta admits Liverpool’s depth has been a key factor in the Premier League title race after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday.
Arsenal looked on course to secure a win at the Emirates Stadium as they took a two-goal lead against Villa through Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
However, Villa pulled a goal back through Youri Tielemans before Ollie Watkins scored a volley from close range to equalise for Unai Emery’s side in the 68th minute.
The result now puts Arsenal six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who sealed a 2-0 win over Brentford earlier on Saturday with two injury-time goals from Darwin Nunez.
Arne Slot’s side could extend that advantage to nine points if they win their game in hand.
When asked how pivotal Liverpool’s win and Arsenal’s draw could be in the title race Arteta replied: ‘Yeah, there are moments, obviously, they managed to do that.
‘I mean, the subs made the impact and they [Liverpool] managed to change the game.
‘And on our side, it was the opposite even though after conceding the two goals very close to each other, the danger was because I knew half the team was, that we could go downhill because we were physically drained.
