That Mikel Merino's goal was ruled out late on for a Kai Havertz handball rubbed salt in the wounds but Mikel Arteta's mask finally slipped post-match as the Arsenal boss conceded that keeping pace with Liverpool was simply proving too difficult for the threadbare Gunners.

Mikel Arteta admitted his envy at Liverpool's greater strength in depth after Arsenal lost ground in the Premier League title race with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

Arsenal could only manage a draw against Aston Villa as Mikel Arteta bemoaned his lack of options on the bench after his side were unable to earn victory and fell further behind Liverpool