Mikel Arteta has refused to praise Liverpool's quality despite his team knocking out Reds in the Carabao Cup.
The Reds lost via penalty as Arsenal sealed a spot in the quarter final.
Recall that before the season started, Arsenal beat Liverpool in the Community Shield in the curtain raiser. Although Mikel Arteta side lifted the Shield at Wembley after Ryan Brewster missed a penalty.
But Liverpool have already beaten the north London side in the league this season, it was a 3-1 win at Anfield stadium on Monday.
Another game was at Anfield stadium in the Carabao Cup with and both sides played out a goalless scoreline and the game had to be settled via penalty.
Mikel Arteta believes Jurgen Klopp side have lots of quality ahead of his team.
"I am really happy with the performance. I think the boys were exceptional. We corrected a few things from Monday and it was superb," Arteta told Sky Sports post-match.
"We competed much better, the level of aggression we had, the way we pressed them really high was exceptional."
Mikel Arteta is currently on his first managerial job as a coach after he left his role as Pep Guardiola's assistant,saying the gap between Arsenal and Liverpool is big.
He noted: "The gap towards Liverpool is still big. We will keep improving to try and reach their level. To come here and play with the determination and courage is a big step forward for the team. They are on the right path."
The Spainsh boss has already picked up two silverware under eight months of being in charge at the Emirates stadium.
He went ahead to praise his goalkeeper for his world class saves during the game.
He said: "Bernd Leno was really good. When we needed him we had him. You need a top individual performance to win at Anfield and that is what we had tonight."
Arteta also addressed that the club didn't want Emiliano Martinez to leave. Recall that Martin joined Aston Villa for 20m pounds after he made his intentions clear that he won't sit on the bench for Leno.
Emiliano Martinez was in goal for Arsenal in their FA Cup triumph as Leno was injured.
According to Arteta: "I really have belief in Bernd. I know him really well and what he can give us. We didn't want Emiliano MartÃnez to go but it was probably the right thing for both parties to do.
Arsenal have been drawn against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
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