Sunday’s briefing: Surprise for Slot and anguish for Arteta
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Premier League leaders Liverpool tightened their grip on top spot as injury-hit Arsenal’s title challenge was dealt another blow. Red boss Arne Slot was pleasantly surprised by his side’s dramatic 2-0 success at Brentford before Gunners manager Arteta was left frustrated by a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Elsewhere, tributes poured in for Manchester United great Denis Law, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to management for the first time since leaving Old Trafford. Liverpool players prove Slot wrong. Slot said his players “proved him wrong” after Darwin Nunez’s stoppage-time double earned Liverpool a precious three points at Brentford.
Nunez came off the bench to convert Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross before he finished off a counter-attack two minutes later. The Reds had 37 attempts in west London and were facing a third match without a win following successive draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest before the Uruguayan’s late salvo.
“So many times in recent weeks we’ve missed a lot of chances,” said Slot, whose side moved six points clear with a game in hand. “It would have been surprising if I felt that after all the chances missed today that we’d score in the last five minutes. The players proved me wrong… again.”.
Arsenal’s crippling injury list proving costly. Arsenal boss Arteta hinted injuries to his squad are close to ending their title challenge following a crushing result against Aston Villa. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz put the Gunners in control at Emirates Stadium but Villa fought back through goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.
