Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has come to the defence of Arsenal following their 1-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, dismissing claims that Mikel Arteta’s men played “negative football.”

The Gunners were heavily criticised after the game, with some pundits arguing that their style of play lacked ambition and could cost them the Premier League title.

Liverpool snatched victory late in the match through a stunning 83rd-minute free-kick by Dominik Szoboszlai, which sealed all three points for Jürgen Klopp’s side.

Speaking on the game, Ferdinand insisted Arsenal showed intent, particularly in the early stages, and that criticism of their style was exaggerated.

“I’ve seen a lot of people being quite negative about Arsenal. [People are saying] they played negative football, and that you can’t win the league playing the way they played at Anfield.
The team selection could have been a bit more positive [in my opinion]. You had the more creative players on the bench, I get that. But you can’t tell me the way Arsenal started that game, there wasn’t a [positive intent]. They were on the front foot, high press, Liverpool couldn’t get out.”

The former England defender admitted that his only reservation was Arteta’s starting XI, suggesting that a bolder selection might have tilted the match in Arsenal’s favour.

He also noted that high-stakes clashes like Liverpool vs. Arsenal are often cagey and decided by fine margins.

Opinion: Was Arsenal Really Negative at Anfield?

It’s easy to brand Arsenal’s performance as “negative,” especially when the scoreboard doesn’t favour them. But Ferdinand raises a valid point: Arsenal didn’t sit back for 90 minutes—they pressed, harried, and tried to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm early on.

The issue was not necessarily their intent but their execution. Leaving creative sparks like Emile Smith Rowe and others on the bench did rob them of unpredictability when the game demanded it. Arteta, known for his tactical bravery, perhaps chose caution in one of the most intimidating arenas in football.

Still, football at the top level is often decided by moments, not always by overall performance. A 30-yard free-kick from Szoboszlai was the difference—hardly evidence that Arsenal lacked fight.

The bigger question, then, is not whether Arsenal are “too negative,” but whether Arteta can strike the right balance between defensive stability and creative flair in big matches. Because in the Premier League title race, small margins and brave decisions often separate champions from challengers.

For now, Arsenal fans may feel disappointed, but they should take solace in Ferdinand’s perspective: this team is still very much alive in the title conversation.