Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko know. Mikel Arteta knows.
Arsenal's disappointing draw against Liverpool at Anfield after having the game firmly in their hands will have given Manchester City all the fuel they need to go on and snatch the Premier League title away from the Gunners. Pep Guardiola's side have a game in hand - in which they could close the gap to three points - before facing Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium later this month.
Zinchenko had his head in his hands at full-time on Merseyside after Jurgen Klopp's side came back from 2-0 down to pick up what could be a crucial result that has major ramifications for the Gunners' title chances. Arteta will now look to pick his players up, physically and emotionally, as the title race continues with just eight games left to play.
READ MORE: Xhaka revives Anfield, Arteta’s lesson and Ramsdale - Arsenal’s winners and losers at Liverpool
Aaron Ramsdale made a number of incredible saves to avoid Arsenal suffering a worse result, denying Ibrahima Konate in the 94th minute as Liverpool looked destined to find a late winner at the Kop End.
Following the draw at Anfield, football.london takes a look at how the national media reacted to the Gunners' performance.
It was never going to be easy, but this could prove to be a big result in the title race.
From 2-0 up and a potentially season-defining victory, Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip and some seeds of doubt may just have been sewn. Mikel Arteta’s men are still six points ahead of Manchester City - albeit Arsenal have played a game more - but to fight so hard, go so close and then succumb so late will be a bitter pill to swallow.
A draw at Anfield, no matter Liverpool's inconsistencies, is not a bad result in any season. But in the context of this title race and after going 2-0 up, it will have given City hope. Arsenal’s players slumped to the floor in despair after Roberto Firmino’s 87th minute equaliser in front of the Kop and you can bet City will rarely have been so happy to see Liverpool score.
And if it had not been for Aaron Ramsdale's wonder save from Ibrahima Konate in the 94th minute then it could have been even worse for the Gunners.
It was a terrific game, full of drama, anger and controversy but Arsenal do have a bad habit of pressing the self destruct button at Anfield. This time, it was Granit Xhaka who needlessly got involved in a 42nd minute bust-up with Trent Alexander-Arnold which saw both players get booked. It only served to whip up the home fans and breathe new life into the stadium.
But in the end, it was honours even. Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012. But no game has been as important since then. Victory might have been the making of Arsenal’s title challenge. Now the challenge is to ensure the disappointment of a draw does not break it.
For 79 minutes, Arsenal stuck their elbows out at Anfield. That was how long they led this game. That was how long their lead at the top of the Premier League looked set to return to eight points. But Liverpool got them in the end. And now Manchester City, in time, may get them too.
Liverpool long since ceased to play a part in this title race. But when it comes to going face to face with City at this time of year, they know how it is. They know there is no way back for those who blink.
Here in front of an Anfield crowd with only pride to cling to this season, Arsenal didn't so much as blink as have a light shone deep in to their eyes until they simply could not take any more. It could have been worse for Mikel Arteta and his team. Having led from the eighth minute and by two from the 28th, they could actually have lost.
So, yes, it could have been worse. Arsenal left Merseyside with honour and an eight-game unbeaten run in the league intact. That will mean something in a variety of different ways.
But, still, the mathematics have a different feel to them now. Simply because for the first time in a long time City have their own destiny in their hands.
They trail Arsenal by six points which sounds like a lot but they have a game in hand, a superior goal difference and still have to host their rivals at the Etihad. So if City win all their games – just like they did in holding off Liverpool by a point last season – they will retain their title.
A post-match scene of Arsenal despair painted a pretty picture for Manchester City. Gabriel Magalhães sank to his knees on the final whistle, Oleksandr Zinchenko held his head in his hands and Mikel Arteta assumed the role of counsellor‑in‑chief to lift his players physically and emotionally. Anfield, the stage of Arsenal’s greatest title moment, may have cost them dearly again.
In the 40th minute of a potentially defining game in the title race, Arsenal led Liverpool 2-0 and with such authority that an eight-point lead over City with eight games to play appeared a fair reflection of their precocious gifts. Then Granit Xhaka needlessly barged an arm into the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold and sparked a melee that ignited a previously forlorn home crowd. The elbow that the assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis threw at Andy Robertson will claim the headlines, but it was Xhaka’s stupidity that shaped the rest of a pulsating, frentic and significant evening.
Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool back into the contest seconds later with Arsenal’s composure gone. Jürgen Klopp’s side dominated the second half, Salah missing a penalty and Aaron Ramsdale performing heroics in the Arsenal goal before the substitute Roberto Firmino headed home an 87th‑minute equaliser in front of a raucous Kop.
There was still time and opportunity for Liverpool to win it. Arsenal too. Salah volleyed over from close range and had a deflected, goalbound effort tipped away brilliantly by Ramsdale, who then denied Ibrahima Konaté on the goalline. Arsenal broke in numbers one final time but Gabriel Martinelli misplaced his pass to Bukayo Saka and the chance was gone.
A comfortable advantage over City has gone, too. It is now six points clear with eight games to play, including one at the Etihad Stadium. The scene of Arsenal players on their knees and shaking their heads in disbelief after the final whistle was as justified as it was telling.
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