09 April 2023 , 18:14
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Aaron Ramsdale admitted that he had mixed emotions after Arsenal blew a two goal lead against Liverpool at Anfield to open the door for Manchester City in the title race.
The Gunners looked a cut above their hosts in the early stages of Sunday's crunch clash and cantered into a 2-0 lead courtesy of early goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. Mohamed Salah halved the deficit just before half-time, though, to set up a frantic second-half.
Salah had the opportunity to restore parity in the 54th minute from the penalty spot but he rolled his spot-kick wide of the post with Ramsdale rooted to the spot.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, their reprieve was short-lived: Roberto Firmino was introduced from the bench by Jurgen Klopp to grab an equaliser and the Brazilian striker duly obliged, nodding home Trent Alexander-Arnold's pinpoint cross at the far post with just minutes remaining to ensure the match ended 2-2.
The Reds would have completed the most remarkable of turnarounds were it not for Ramsdale, who pulled off two spellbinding saves to deny Salah from range and Ibrahima Konate from point-blank range in the dying embers of the match.
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But even after his late heroics, the former Bournemouth star was far from satisfied, admitting that the Gunners wouldn't know whether Sunday's result was a matter of a point gained or two dropped in the title race.
The Arsenal shot-stopper told Sky Sports: "A bit of both. We managed to dig in at the end but we had some good chances when we come to Anfield and played it really well, but had to survive as well so I think right now it will be mixed emotions.
"Over the next few days it’ll definitely be a very good point. Maybe [it was points dropped], but I’ve just walked off the pitch and we’ve just been under pressure for 35 minutes, whatever it was, and we’ve managed to get a point away at Anfield.
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Aaron Ramsdale had mixed emotions after Arsenal were forced to settle for a point against Liverpool following Sunday's 2-2 draw (Sky Sports)"They’re a top side, the crowd get right behind them so it might be two points dropped but we could have dropped one more at the same time."
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was full of praise for Ramsdale after the match, admitting that the Gunners star "saved us". He told the BBC : "It was a crazy game. We started really good. The first 40 minutes before they scored we controlled the game. After their goal the game changed a bit and we didn't manage to keep the ball.
"They created a lot of chances. Aaron [Ramsdale] was very good back there and saved us. Frustrated not to win but we have to take the point and move on.
"Against this team you need to be very good on the ball. If you give away the ball they will run at you and the fans create momentum."