Mikel Arteta reveals dressing room message to Arsenal players after ‘disappointing’ Liverpool defeat

Mikel Arteta reveals dressing room message to Arsenal players after ‘disappointing’ Liverpool defeat

Mikel Arteta reveals dressing room message to Arsenal players after ‘disappointing’ Liverpool defeat

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REUTERS

Ben McCaffrey

By Ben McCaffrey


Published: 31/08/2025

- 19:08

Updated: 31/08/2025

- 19:58

The 43-year-old was left frustrated after his side fell to a defeat

Mikel Arteta has revealed what his message to the Arsenal dressing room was after his side fell to their first defeat of the season against Liverpool thanks to a Dominik Szoboszlai stunner.

It was a game bereft of much attacking quality, with defences reigning supreme.


That was until Szoboszlai stepped up, 32 yards out from goal, to hammer the ball into the net with tremendous pace, vigour and technique. It really was a goal worthy of winning any game.

But it was the lack of attacking potency for the Gunners that frustrated Arteta, with the Spaniard making a defiant rally cry to his players.

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has revealed what his message to the Arsenal dressing room was after his side fell to their first defeat of the season against Liverpool

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GETTY

The Gunners have never won a game at Anfield under Arteta.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Spaniard said: “I am very disappointed with the result. I'm very proud of my players. Both [sets of] players had to dig in to a level where there was nothing between the two.

"It was going to be decided by an individual error or a moment of magic.

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\u200bDominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai's free kick was stunning

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GETTY

"You cannot dominate here for 90 minutes, it is impossible. At the end of the game, I said we have to find a way to win these big matches.

"You have to put the ball in the back of the net when you have it. We were much better than last year, much better. We have to put the ball in the back of the net if you want to win the game.

"We lost Martin [Odegaard], we lost Kai [Havertz] and then we lost Bukayo [Saka]. In the warm up we lost Saliba."

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One positive note for Arteta was the debut of Eberechi Eze, who joined the club in a £67.5million deal from Crystal Palace last week.

The 27-year-old showed some bright moments during his short cameo, and has also impressed the boss since his arrival.

"[Eze's] been with us for four or five days, that is all. We fully believe in the players that played. You have to take a lot of positives from the game. I haven't seen Liverpool at home suffering like they did against us," Arteta said.

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Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze made his debut for the Gunners

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REUTERS

But the day belonged to Szoboszlai, who not only won the match for the Reds but had a storming game filling in at full-back for the injured Jeremie Frimpong.

After the game, he spoke to Sky Sports, detailing how the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a major impact.

"Luckily we could practice some free-kicks. I felt this was a bit further. I was like 'I'll take the risk'. I was confident in myself, I tried it... finally [I've scored from a free-kick],” the midfielder said.

"When you practice all the time, now I should mention Trent because he was taking the free-kicks in the past. Finally I could have my chance and did it.

This shot I didn't practice in the past few weeks because we were shooting closer. I had to take a risk and shoot a little bit harder because I knew [David] Raya likes to jump behind the ball. It's an unbelievable goalkeeper. If it goes a bit more inside he saves it."