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Mikel Arteta has hit out at the Premier League, claiming Arsenal ’s fixture schedule in the race for a top-four place is “not fair”.

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as their five-match winning run came to an abrupt end. The hosts impressed in the first half but were blown away by two goals in eight second-half minutes from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.

Arsenal had their chances, but Alisson saved well from Martin Odegaard and, despite terrorising Trent Alexander-Arnold , Gabriel Martinelli could not force a goal. The result means Arteta’s side have now lost six in succession to Liverpool without scoring, including four this season.

Despite defeat, Arsenal remain in a good position in the Premier League, sitting fourth, a point ahead of Manchester United with two games in hand. Having played Sunday and Wednesday, they face a quick turnaround for Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off against Aston Villa – something Arteta is furious about.

“Thank you so much to the Premier League to do that,” he said sarcastically in his post-match press conference. “And they’ve done it again for when we have to play Chelsea and Manchester United. So if they want to give them any advantage I say today, thank you so much for doing that.”

Arsenal are in control of their own destiny in the race for fourth place, thanks to their games in hand, but do have some tricky fixtures. Next