Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss says his side have gone backwards in Premier League

However, the Spaniard stood by his claims after the second leg that Arsenal have been the best team in the competition this season.

“One hundred per cent,” he added. “I’m watching it back, I’m watching all the statistics.

“And when you look at the important stats that normally give you the best platform to win football matches, it is crystal clear who was better.

“But it is not about the winning probability, or what you’ve managed, it is actually about making it happen and making it count.”

It was prior to Wednesday’s match that Arteta first claimed Arsenal would have had two Premier League titles with the number of points they posted in the past two seasons, as Liverpool won the league this year with fewer points.

However, Liverpool, who have 82 points with three games remaining, could yet surpass the Gunners’ points totals in each of those seasons.

Arteta confirmed his side would give Arne Slot’s team a guard of honour before Sunday’s match.

“They deserve that,” he said. “They’ve been the best team, and they’ve been the most consistent.

“What Arne and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating, and they fully deserve it.

“That is sport, and when somebody is better, you have to applaud and accept it, and try to reach that level.”