Micah Richards says Arsenal might be ‘kicking themselves’ for failing to strengthen in January after Liverpool defeated Manchester City to increase their lead at the highest of the Premier League table.
Arsenal’s hopes of winning a primary title in twenty years suffered a major blow earlier this weekend as they were beaten 1-0 by the hands of a Jarrod Bowen-inspired West Ham on the Emirates.
The result left Mikel Arteta’s men eight points adrift of Liverpool and league leaders strolled past champions City on the Etihad to extend their advantage with 11 games remaining of the campaign.
Mohamed Salah was once more at the guts of every little thing positive from a Liverpool perspective, breaking the deadlock early on before assisting Dominik Szoboszlai for the visitors’ second within the thirty seventh minute.
It might 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 within the Sky Sports studio shortly after the ultimate whistle, Richards – a lifelong Arsenal fan – bemoaned the Gunners’ failure to capture a top striker once they had the prospect last month.
‘I believe if Arsenal had a completely fit squad then perhaps but no [Bukayo] Saka, losing [Kai] Havertz… they simply 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, after all you don’t know you’re going to get injuries.
‘But I just think this Liverpool team can adapt. They played heavy metal football they usually return to playing a low block and counter-attack.
‘All the pieces about this team is just sensational. It’s finding a option to win.
‘I don’t think Liverpool have been scintillating at times this season, I don’t. But I believe they’ve managed their moments very well.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an internet
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Richards believes Virgil van Dijk’s assured presence on 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 within the team, the spine is incredibly good they usually hardly get injured. That is a significant factor,’ Richards added.
‘Van Dijk was injured in that season once they didn’t compete but while you’ve got someone like that back it makes a large difference. You may just see the boldness oozing out of them.’
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane agreed that Arteta and Arsenal will likely be ruing their quiet January transfer window after falling further behind within the title race
‘Their star men turn up every week. That’s what you wish and also you obviously need a helping hand along the way in which,’ he said.
‘We keep saying that Arsenal have to do higher but you wish other teams to do higher. You may’t just keep Arsenal to be the challengers.
‘They’re obviously come up short and are missing that striker nevertheless it’s as much as a few of the other top teams to start out competing.
‘I do know we’ve been critical of Arsenal for slacking off but you wish one or two other teams to compete as well. It may well’t just be on Arsenal.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Arsene Wenger rates Arsenal’s title possibilities after Liverpool beat Man City
MORE: Chelsea vs Southampton: Latest team news, predicted lineup and injuries
MORE: Noussair Mazraoui injury concern is latest headache for Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim
