Gunners midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored one and created one on either side of the half before Gerrard pulled one back from the penalty spot after Lukas Podolski fouled Luis Suarez in the box. A number of controversial decisions from referee Howard Webb left both sides fuming, but the real flash point came when another penalty shout for the Uruguayan was waved away following Oxlade-Chamberlain clattering him in the area. Regardless, Gerrard is ready to move on from the defeat, calling his side’s performance and character “excellent”.
“Obviously we’re going away really disappointed with the result but we can’t be disappointed with how we played,” the Reds skipper told the Liverpool ECHO. “We created enough chances and really took the game to Arsenal in the second half, but big moments went against us.” Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers named a strong side for the trip to the Emirates, but they were unable to recreate the 5-1 thrashing they handed out to the North London side last weekend on Merseyside.
“There is nothing to be down about. Sometimes you just don’t get what you deserve from games and this was an example of that” continued Gerrard. “We have to move on, dust ourselves off and go again against Swansea next Sunday.” The Anfield outfit are well placed to snatch a Champions League berth for next season, going into this weekend’s match against the struggling Welsh side. Although he didn’t say it, you have to wonder if the skipper is happy to only have one competition to focus on; he did tip us as “dark horses” for the title — and frankly, he’s lifted an FA Cup before.
