Micah Richards highlights major Arsenal mistake after Liverpool beat Man City
Micah Richards says Arsenal will be ‘kicking themselves’ for failing to strengthen in January after Liverpool defeated Manchester City to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal’s hopes of winning a first title in two decades suffered a significant blow earlier this weekend as they were beaten 1-0 at the hands of a Jarrod Bowen-inspired West Ham at the Emirates.
The result left Mikel Arteta’s men eight points adrift of Liverpool and league leaders strolled past champions City at the Etihad to increase their advantage with 11 games remaining of the campaign.
Mohamed Salah was once again at the heart of everything positive from a Liverpool perspective, breaking the deadlock early on before assisting Dominik Szoboszlai for the visitors’ second in the 37th minute.
It could have been worse for City had the video assistant referee not intervened to disallow Curtis Jones’ strike just before the hour-mark in Manchester.
Speaking in the Sky Sports studio shortly after the final whistle, Richards – a lifelong Arsenal fan – bemoaned the Gunners’ failure to capture a top striker when they had the chance last month.
‘I think if Arsenal had a fully fit squad then maybe but no [Bukayo] Saka, losing [Kai] Havertz… they just don’t have anyone up top,’ the ex-Manchester City and England defender said.
‘Arsenal will probably be kicking themselves that they didn’t bring anyone in in January, of course you don’t know you’re going to get injuries.
‘But I just think this Liverpool team can adapt. They played heavy metal football and they go back to playing a low block and counter-attack.
‘Everything about this team is just sensational. It’s finding a way to win.
‘I don’t think Liverpool have been scintillating at times this season, I don’t. But I think they’ve managed their moments really well.’
Richards believes Virgil van Dijk’s assured presence at the back has been crucial for Liverpool across Arne Slot’s magnificent debut season in charge at Anfield.
‘Daniel [Sturridge] talked about their key players in the team, the spine is incredibly good and they hardly get injured. That is a major factor,’ Richards added.
‘Van Dijk was injured in that season when they didn’t compete but when you’ve got someone like that back it makes a massive difference. You can just see the confidence oozing out of them.’
Arsenal bosses will be ‘kicking themselves’
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane agreed that Arteta and Arsenal will likely be ruing their quiet January transfer window after falling further behind in the title race
‘Their star men turn up every week. That’s what you need and you obviously need a helping hand along the way,’ he said.
‘We keep saying that Arsenal need to do better but you need other teams to do better. You can’t just keep looking at Arsenal to be the challengers.
‘They’re obviously come up short and are missing that striker but it’s up to some of the other top teams to start competing.
‘I know we’ve been critical of Arsenal for slacking off but you need one or two other teams to compete as well. It can’t just be on Arsenal.’