Jamie Carragher and Declan Rice agree on Arsenal point as Liverpool legend spots huge concern

Jamie Carragher and Declan Rice pointed out that Arsenal struggled to break down Manchester City, despite 'dominating' the lion's share of possession. Gabriel Martinelli salvaged a draw for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, clawing back a crucial point in the race for the Premier League title.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Rice heaped praise on the Arsenal forward, who came on for Jurrien Timber in the final minutes, for his impact on the game. Standing beside Martinelli, the former West Ham captain said: "Since I've come to the club, even before I've come – he's always delivered in big moments.

"The amount of times he's scoring in big games for us. A lot of players can talk if they get put on the bench, but every time he comes in, he shows his desire.

"The run and finish. It's unbelievable at that stage of the game. To have that composure, he really deserves it," added Rice. He went on to claim that Arsenal 'deserved' to win having 'dominated' Pep Guardiola's side.

"So even though we didn't, we didn't win, I thought we finally deserved it because we dominated today and played really, really well," said Rice. "Just couldn't break them down. Fair play to them.

"But Martinelli, he's come on and produced a moment of magic. So we're happy with that."

Rice believes that City sat off because Arsenal had earned their respect. He said: "We've obviously gained the respect of the opposition. They know the quality that we have.

"You know from back to front. I think in my time here at Arsenal, we probably haven't dominated a game like that against Man City as we did today.

"It was constant pressure, but there was always that threat from them of the kind of attack. But in the end, I think we thoroughly deserved a goal.

"If we had come away losing that game, we would have been really disappointed. So in the end, I think the points are probably fair, but we obviously want to win that one."

Carragher agreed with Rice, claiming the game was particularly 'one-sided'. The former Liverpool defender said: "I can understand where Rice is coming from. When you dominate a title rival as much as they did, you are pleased about that in some ways.

"That is not normal to see a game like that so one-sided in terms of territory and possession," he added, before pointing out how tame the Gunners looked in the final third. "But for me, I cannot get away from the fact Arsenal do not look like scoring a goal in open play, and I felt that at Man Utd in the first game, and at Anfield and today.

"Credit to them as they found a way, they had lots of set pieces, but they did not look as dangerous on them today. But this still has to be a worry for Arsenal. I think this season, from Arsenal in their five games from open play, their xG is about three.

"They did not really look like scoring at all, and that is still a problem they had last season, and it still looks in these first five games they still have it."

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