Virgil van Dijk aims dig at Arsenal injury problems after Liverpool draw

Virgil van Dijk played down the severity of Arsenal’s injury problems after Liverpool earned a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Much of the build-up was dominated by talk of who would miss the game for the Gunners, with William Saliba suspended and the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori all major doubts.

Calafiori did not make the squad but Saka and Timber were fit to start, handing Arsenal a major boost against one of their big title rivals.

Gabriel and Timber were forced off in the second half, leaving Arsenal further depleted at the back, but Van Dijk had little interest in discussing those problems.

Asked if Liverpool sensed a chance to win the match when Gabriel and Timber added to Arsenal’s injury issues, he responded dryly: “Another player injured? I think they only had two players injured today.

“They played a very, very strong team. It’s part of the game.”

The Liverpool captain equalised for his side in the first-half, after Saka had fired the Gunners into an early lead.

Mikel Merino headed Arsenal back in front before the break, but Mohamed Salah finished off a swift counter with ten minutes remaining to earn the visitors a point.

Liverpool remain four points ahead of the Gunners and only one behind league leaders Manchester City, with Arne Slot’s side showing signs that they are ready to play a major part in the title race.

"I think someone said to me last year, Man City lost here and they won the league,” Van Dijk said.

“We're in October. I've read so many things that Arsenal are out of the title race if they lose. We're in the business where you can be on top one week and then not. We are in October and let's see what it brings us at the end of the season. Enjoy the ride."