Mikel Arteta says Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Liverpool has sent out a message to Premier League rivals

Spaniard successfully completed a staggering 100 passes in the win

Mikel Arteta celebrates Arsenal's win over Liverpool on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

Mikel Arteta says that the manner of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool, which lifts the Gunners to five points clear at the top of the Premier League, has sent out a message to their rivals in the division.

The Spaniard, who completed an astonishing 100 out of 106 passes in the win, told arsenal.com after the match: “We are tested every week. People have been waiting for us to lose. But we showed today the desire that we have to stay we are. I feel this is a very good message. We wanted to get the points at home. But we know there is still a long way to go.

“We played a really good team. They have been on fire in the past couple of weeks. It was a great test to see where we are and we showed that we are at least as good as them.

“We want to stay where we are and we will make it difficult for the rest.”