Arsenal: 'Bad memories' might have affected us, Arsene Wenger

"Bad memories" of last season's 5-1 defeat at Liverpool might have affected Arsenal's display during Sunday's 2-2 draw, said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

Liverpool scored four in the first half in February and the Reds were again on top in the opening 45 minutes although the teams went in level at 1-1.

Wenger said of the first half display: "Maybe bad memories played a part.

"Some players weren't at their best. We played with the handbrake on a little bit in the first half especially."

The Reds had 64% of the possession and nine efforts on goals, with Arsenal managing only two - although they scored from one through full-back Mathieu Debuchy's header.

The Gunners improved after the break and took the lead thanks to Olivier Giroud's strike, before Liverpool equalised during nine minutes of stoppage time through Martin Skrtel. The Reds had been reduced to 10 men moments earlier when forward Fabio Borini was shown a second yellow card.

Asked whether Arsenal deserved to hold on, Wenger added: "No because they came back.

"Overall I think once they were down to 10 men we were not dangerous anymore.

"We conceded a corner that was a bit unlucky and where we were guilty was that we didn't jump at all with Skrtel. Of course from then on we conceded so it became 2-2.

"Overall it's a fair result over the whole 90 minutes, but it's a frustrating result for us, because they came back at a moment in the game where we had plenty of defenders on the pitch and could defend the set piece much better."